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When it comes to painting your home, whether it’s the cozy interiors or the weather-beaten exteriors, many of us are tempted to skip the priming step to save time or money. But here’s the truth: skipping primer is like building a house without a foundation. It might look fine at first, but cracks will soon appear on the walls.
In this blog, we’ll dive into why primer is the unsung hero of painting projects, how it enhances your paint’s performance.
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Primer is a preparatory coating applied before painting. It ensures better adhesion, durability, and a smoother finish. Think of it as the "base layer" that bridges the gap between your wall and the paint. Here’s why it’s non-negotiable:
1. Better Adhesion: Primer grips the surface and gives paint something to stick to. Without it, paint can peel or chip easily.
2. Enhanced Durability: A primed surface resists wear and tear, especially for exterior primer and paint jobs exposed to harsh weather.
3. True Color Representation: Primer neutralizes the surface, ensuring your paint color looks exactly as it should—no dullness or patchiness.
4. Stains & Imperfection Blocker: It covers stains, knots in wood, or uneven textures, giving you a flawless canvas.
It's recommended to apply primer before wall putty when preparing walls for painting:
• Smooths surface: Primer creates a clean, smooth surface for applying wall putty.
• Seals imperfections: Primer seals cracks and other imperfections, which helps the putty adhere better.
• Prevents peeling: Primer helps prevent the putty from peeling or chipping over time.
• Prevents cracks: Primer helps prevent cracks from showing up in the wall.
Now, let’s explore how interior and exterior primers differ.
Interior walls face daily wear—scuffs, moisture, and frequent cleaning. Birla White ActivCoat Interior Primer is a white cement-based liquid primer that offers superior opacity and whiteness compared to ordinary acrylic primers. This means:
• Brighter, truer paint colors.
• Fewer coats of paint needed (saving you money!).
• A smoother finish for your walls.
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1. Prep the Surface: Sand with emery paper (No. 180) and clean off dust.
2. Mix the Primer: Combine ActivCoat Primer with water in a 1:1 ratio.
3. First Coat: Apply with a brush/roller and let dry for 3-4 hours.
4. Putty Application: Smooth the surface with Birla White Wall Putty, sand again (No. 320), and let dry.
5. Second Coat: Reapply primer, dry, and then paint.
Exterior walls battle rain, sun, and pollution. A high-quality exterior primer is your home’s armour.
• Weather Resistance: Birla White ActivCoat Exterior Primer bonds strongly to surfaces like cement plaster, concrete, or asbestos, preventing cracks and peeling.
• Longer Paint Life: Paint adheres better and lasts longer, reducing frequent touch-ups.
1. Clean the Surface: Remove dirt, loose paint, or fungi. Patch holes with putty.
2. Mix & Apply: Dilute primer 1:1 with water, apply one coat, and let dry for 3-4 hours before painting.
• Coverage:
• Interior: 160–200 sq.ft/liter/coat.
• Exterior: 110–130 sq.ft/liter/coat.
• Drying Time: Just 30 minutes (surface dry).
• Shelf Life: 3 years if stored properly.
• Safety: Non-flammable and easy to apply (brush, roller, or spray).
The Cost of Skipping Primer
• Patchy Paint: Uneven absorption leads to blotchy color.
• More Paint Used: Unprimed walls soak up paint, requiring extra coats.
• Shorter Lifespan: Paint fails faster, costing you more in repaints.
Birla White’s ActivCoat Primer stands out because:
• White Cement-Based: Superior opacity and adhesion.
• Versatile: Works on interiors, exteriors, putty, plaster, and more.
• Eco-Friendly: Low VOC, safe for homes.
Final Thoughts
Primer isn’t just an extra step—it’s the step that makes your paint job shine. Whether you’re refreshing a room or protecting your home’s exterior, primer and paint go hand in hand. Invest in the best primer for walls, and your future self will thank you!
Also Read: Interior vs. Exterior Primers: Understanding the Key Differences
