Nothing is quite as frustrating as pouring hours into a renovation project only to find out that the paint has chipped or your first few paint jobs weren’t as vibrant as you hoped they were. A quality paint job that lasts can make a big difference in value and appearance for your home or other projects. Read on for four ways to use a primer or top coat in your painting projects to make it last.
Block Stains with Primer
A freshly painted white wall won’t stay white on its own. While you’ll likely need to seal the paint after you finish the job, the real stain blocking begins with an initial coat of primer. This stain-blocking primer is used primarily to keep any smoke or water stains from coming through the finish coat.
This stain-blocking primer should also be used when beginning a new paint job if there are already stains on the wall. Once the primer is applied, your subsequent coats of paint should be able to successfully block out the stains on the wall.
Using Poly Top Coats for Durability
Use polyurethane and polyacrylic top coats to protect your painted surfaces and improve the durability. With top coats, you’ll be able to ensure your paint job on your furniture lasts just as long as it should. This type of topcoat is important for painted furniture in high traffic areas. Pieces like kitchen cabinets, kid’s furniture, or any tabletop are great candidates for this top coat.
In addition to adding durability, top coats are great for keeping the paint underneath protected from humidity. If you’re considering a top coat as part of your building supplies, definitely apply this product to furniture in particularly moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Add a Polished Finish with Top Coats
Wonder how certain furniture consistently has a high sheen finish for years? With the right top coat, you’ll be able to give your DIY projects the high sheen finish that you love so much. With the proper top coat, you’ll be able to keep the paint underneath as glossy as the day your first painted it. This step of the process will also allow you to control the amount of gloss you want the surface to give off. There are plenty of different options for finishing coats that can give you the exact look you want.
Prime When Going Dark-to-Light
Painting a lighter color over a darker one? You’ll need a primer for the most effective paint job. By treating the surface first with a few coats of primer, you’ll be able to successfully drown out the darker tones underneath. Failing to do this step can make the paint job look cheap and lazy.
While primers and topcoats are often a forgotten part of the building process, they are just as important as the paint you are using for your projects. Don’t cut any corners during your painting project. If you’re hoping to make your paint job last as long as possible, be sure to apply this information to your next DIY jobs.
