5 tips for priming new drywall

Products mentioned in this article:

• UltraSpec Interior Primer
• SuperKote 3000 PVA Primer

1) Ensure proper lighting is in place and that the interior temperature is above 15°C before painting work commences.

• For new construction projects, painting work can often begin before the lighting and heat systems have been installed. Proper lighting will make defects in the drywall more noticeable, and a change in temperature can cause movement in the walls and seams of the drywall, creating new defects. All these surface defects will need to be repaired and sealed, so it is far more efficient to have these repairs made before painting commences.

2) Use a high quality latex primer sealer and sand after application

• Using a high quality latex primer sealer when painting new drywall provides a continuously sealed surface with relatively uniform porosity. In general, primers and topcoats with higher volume solids will do a better job of filling in small surface irregularities as they leave a higher build on the substrate.
• UltraSpec Interior Primer has 30% volume solids, so a thicker coat goes on the wall during application, allowing you to fill in small holes and bubbles.
• An often overlooked step is to sand the primer after it’s dried, prior to applying a topcoat using 180-220 grit sandpaper.  You don’t want to take a layer off, just smooth the finish as any imperfections on the wall will come through on the finish coat.

3) Be prepared to make drywall repairs after the prime-coat.

• Although using a high quality latex primer sealer is an important first step, many defects in the drywall are practically invisible until the prime-coat has been applied. This means the drywall contractor will have to return to the jobsite to make repairs. These repaired areas will need to be sealed again.  Use a portable work lamp or flashlight at an angle on the wall to see defects in the wall.

Excessive drywall repairs made after application of intermediate coat.

4) Never make significant drywall repairs after the intermediate coat has been applied.

• The variance in surface texture created by applying uneven layers of filler, sealer and intermediate coat across an entire wall is what causes the inconsistent appearance of the finish. Depending on when drywall repairs are made, a single wall could consist of drywall, sealer and intermediate coat in one area, and drywall, sealer, filler, sealer, intermediate coat directly beside it. For this reason it is advisable to make as many drywall repairs as possible before painting work commences.