Shafaa Paints Coating Preparation Protocols

The application of primers or undercoats is essential when engaging in the painting process.

Priming is crucial in addressing surface porosity, ensuring optimal adhesion, and achieving a flawless paint finish. Selecting the appropriate primer holds importance, considering the array of primers, undercoats, and sealers available, which can lead to confusion. Painters often use these terms interchangeably. Still, an undercoat always functions as a primer, whereas a primer may not necessarily serve as an undercoat. Despite their similarities, they serve distinct purposes.

Primers establish a foundation for paint adhesion, while undercoats create a smooth and level base for applying topcoats. A straightforward way to remember this is to use an undercoat when painting a surface and to opt for a primer when dealing with a new surface.

If your walls are in good condition and the new paint you plan to use is the same type as the old paint (e.g. solvent-based), you won't need a primer.

Assuming your walls are smooth and clean, you can skip the priming step and start painting immediately.

If your walls are the same colour but in bad condition, with holes, cracks, or other imperfections that require filling and sanding, using a layer of undercoat is your best option.

An undercoat layer will provide a smooth and consistent base layer for the topcoat, helping mask many imperfections you're trying to hide. Once the undercoat has been applied, you can move on to the next step in the painting process.

Use a universal primer in between if you plan to cover solvent-based paint with water-based paint.

Water-based paint will not properly adhere to existing solvent-based paint, so you must create a bonding layer to bridge the gap.

Applying a high-quality primer, specifically formulated to bond with your new paint, is wise (we recommend two coats for best results). This will ensure that your new paint bonds properly to the wall, creating a smooth and long-lasting finish. 

If your walls were previously painted a different colour, it is advisable to use an undercoat. This will completely cover the old colour before applying one or two coats of the new paint.

Lapping is when there are areas with more colour or increased shine where wet and dry paint layers intersect during the painting process.

Ensure your brush strokes move from wet to dry to achieve a consistent and seamless finish. Planning for interruptions at natural points such as corners, windows, or doors is advisable. If the surface is highly porous, using a primer or sealer is recommended to prevent rapid drying of the paint, which reduces the wet edge time and makes overlaps more noticeable.