Do you need to use primer? Probably not as often as you think.
These paints are formulated to grab onto and seal raw surfaces such as untreated timber, brick, fibre cement sheeting, and metal. They provide a barrier against moisture, and have excellent coverage.
Painting raw wood, brick, concrete, or metal - primer usually isn't required
You may not be aware that standard exterior paint such as Dulux Weathershield and Resene Lumbersider is "self-priming" on most surfaces, which means that you often won't need to use a primer.
Painting over a dark colour - primer usually isn't required
Please also be aware that in nearly all cases, two coats of Dulux or Resene paint will cover pretty much any base colour. There's no need to use a primer to cover a strong colour when our paint is cheaper than primer and just as effective. You can buy a bit extra of your top coat colour for a thin third coat if you're worried about complete coverage.
Efflorescence, water stains, and seepage - you need primer!
Where you DO definitely need primer is on:
- brickwork that is prone to water seepage or efflorescence
- other surfaces where water seepage may be an issue (though you should really address the cause!)
- ceilings where there a stain keeps reappearing, in which case an oil-based stain blocking primer is the best product.
Raw fibre cement sheeting and raw plasterboard - you need primer!
You DO definitely also need primer to seal:
- raw fibre cement sheeting (note that this sometimes comes already primed)
- raw plasterboard.
Our white primer supply constraint
Circle Paints is given very little white primer by trade painters because leftover primer can be used for their next job.
So if cost is important to you, consider whether you can skip using primer and save yourself money and time, and help the planet by using less plastic paint.
