To achieve perfect application results in the construction of interior and exterior wall coatings, relying solely on topcoats is far from sufficient. At this point, we need to use primer before applying topcoats as a safeguard for the application process. But how much do we know about primer? Today, let's explore some key points about architectural primer together.

What is primer?

Currently, wall paints on the market are generally divided into primer and topcoat. Primer is a type of interior and exterior wall paint that is directly applied to the wall surface to serve as a solid foundation for the topcoat. As the name suggests, it is applied first as the base layer before the topcoat, serving as the first layer that comes into contact with the wall surface. It plays a role in improving the adhesion and service life of the topcoat, increasing the fullness of the topcoat, providing alkali resistance, offering anti-corrosion function, and ensuring uniform absorption of the topcoat, thereby enabling the paint system to perform effectively.

According to painting requirements, it can be divided into first coat primer, second coat primer, etc. 

What are the types of architectural primers?

Transparent primer, white primer, alkali-resistant primer, sealing primer, penetrating primer, etc.

Why is it necessary to apply primer before wall construction?

When painting the wall, if no primer is applied, or if the primer is applied sparingly and unevenly, the wall may absorb too much paint too quickly when applying the topcoat, and the amount of topcoat may not cover the intended area. Shortly after painting, various issues such as discoloration, paint film peeling, lumping, and mold spots may occur. This is because, whether it's a new or old wall in the living room, excessive moisture can lead to alkalization issues, which are particularly severe in humid environments. This is the fundamental reason affecting the quality of the paint finish. Therefore, when painting the wall, do not omit the primer step to save money, as it is important to understand that a wall with a primer is more durable and, in a sense, more cost-effective. 

  This is not the case. The reason lies in the different functions of topcoats and primers. Primers serve multiple purposes, such as sealing the wall base, enhancing the adhesion and fullness of topcoats, etc. On the other hand, topcoats primarily serve decorative and protective functions, making the surface more glossy, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, with a good hand feel, resistant to aging and yellowing, etc.

Generally speaking, good topcoats all come with matching primers, which shows the importance manufacturers place on the role of primers. Therefore, no matter how good the quality of the topcoat you purchase is, it is recommended that you do not skip the step of applying primer.

Application of water-based and solvent-based exterior wall primer:

Application of water-based primer: First, dilute the primer with water according to the dilution ratio specified in the product manual, stir well, and then apply it using a roller. It is necessary to control the temperature and humidity during application as much as possible. Generally, it is not advisable to apply when the temperature is below 5℃ or the relative humidity is above 85%.

Theoretically, general transparent primers do not contain pigments, have higher density, and exhibit superior sealing performance compared to white primers. However, in practical engineering, white alkali-resistant primers often demonstrate better sealing performance, precisely due to their thicker paint film. For transparent primers, it is important not to arbitrarily increase the dilution ratio in order to expand the application area, as this would result in a too-thin paint film, failing to achieve the desired sealing effect.

Application of solvent-based primer: Single-component solvent-based transparent primer can be applied using spraying or roller coating methods. Strictly follow the application rate of the paint, and avoid applying it too thickly or too thinly.

 The two-component solvent-based transparent primer should be strictly prepared according to the specified ratio, thoroughly stirred, and allowed to stand for an appropriate period before application. Spraying or roller coating methods can be used for application. Fujian interior and exterior wall paint manufacturers