TO PRIME YOUR FURNITURE OR NOT TO PRIME BEFORE PAINTING

Whether or not to prime furniture before painting depends on several factors - especially if like myself, you are using water-based paints:

• Existing finish: If the furniture has a shiny or glossy finish, a primer can help the paint adhere better to the surface, although some scuffing (light sanding) would be required too.

• Material: For materials like laminate or metal, a primer is often necessary to ensure proper adhesion and durability of the paint. In reality: I would recommend staying away from laminate - or using a special paint for laminate.

• Type of wood: some types of wood can bleed. Wood bleeding refers to a phenomenon that occurs when certain types of wood, such as mahogany, cherry, or oak, release tannins or natural oils from within the wood itself. These tannins or oils can seep through paint or finish, causing a yellow or brownish discoloration on the surface. Wood bleeding typically becomes more noticeable over time, as the tannins or oils gradually work their way to the surface and react with the paint or finish. This can result in an uneven appearance, with areas of discoloration that can be difficult to remove or conceal. To prevent wood bleeding, it's important to properly prepare the wood surface before painting or finishing. This can include using a primer or sealer that's specifically designed to block tannin stains or bleeding. In some cases, multiple coats of primer or sealer may be necessary to effectively prevent wood bleeding. And in some cases, after applying 3 coats you still see the bleeding resurfacing or you are not sure if it is just a matter of time ... then it is safer to change your creative idea and paint your "stubborn" piece in a darker color.

• Paint type: If you're using a paint that already includes a primer or is specially formulated for good adhesion, an additional primer may not be necessary.

• Color change: If you're making a significant color change, especially from a dark color to a light color, a primer can help achieve better coverage and reduce the number of coats needed.
  

before painting

after painting

Those are the golden rules but, as many up-cyclers, I have created my own rules. Even though I am super meticulous when cleaning my pieces (there will be another post about it) and I often use paints which have a build-in primer - I prime 90% of my pieces. A primer will always provide a better surface for the paint to adhere to and increase the durability of the finish. I have just figured out that it is better to invest extra time / money rather than cry over a piece with paint that is peeling off.

To sum up: do not ask when to prime - rather when not to prime (I am sure you may come across couple smaller pieces which will be fine with scuffing and painting). As for the primer to use: Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3® Water-Base Primer is my product to go to.

Just remember: give your piece a light sanding after priming and wipe off the dust.

Happy upcycling!