Which Type Of Primer Should I Use For Outside Trim?

When choosing a primer for treated or untreated wood, consider oil-based vs. water-based options and use stain-blocking primers when needed. Alkyd-based primers offer superior stain blocking, making them suitable for both interior and exterior bare wood substrates. They are efficient in penetrating the wood’s porous surface and providing long-lasting adhesion. The best primer for exterior use is usually an oil-based primer like Zinsser Cover Stain, but if moisture is present, oil may peel. The consensus is to use an oil-based primer on bare wood.

Exterior penetrating oil primers are slower drying but seal the wood better than fast-dry water-based primers. All Surface Enamel Oil Primer is an excellent choice for doors, trim, windows, and other surfaces. Latex paint is popular for exterior wood trim due to its ease of use, quick drying, and less fade risk. Exterior latex primer from Sherwin Williams is fast-drying and resistant to mildew, making it a good choice for exterior painting.

Choosing an exterior primer that adheres to your house material, whether it’s bare wood, fiber-cement, vinyl, or any other material, is crucial for a successful application.

Do you need special primer for trim?

To paint a trim, use a high-quality primer, even if it hasn’t been painted before. The paint and primer in one options are great for walls, but a dedicated primer is recommended for trims that will see significant wear and tear. If the trim already has paint, a separate coat of primer is only needed in certain circumstances, such as when changing color dramatically, using latex paint over oil-based paint, or if the existing paint is in bad shape. To test the paint, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and test the existing paint with a cotton ball.

If the existing paint is in bad shape, scrape away any loose paint, fill holes with wood filler and sand, and priming before priming. Glidden’s Premium Interior Paint Primer is recommended for this purpose.

What is the best primer for exterior signs?

To create solid colored wooden signs from bare wood or plywood surfaces, use wood primer. Oil-based paints are the most commonly used for exterior sign making, with Johnstone’s wood primer being the preferred choice. Thin the primer with white spirits or turpentine, especially for large flat areas. Johnstone’s wood primer is cost-effective, reliable, and solidifies well after two coats. In most plywood painting situations, use two coats of thinned wood primer before one coat of undercoat and at least two coats of gloss per side. This method ensures longevity in harsh exterior conditions.

What kind of primer should I use on exterior trim?

To ensure a smooth and durable finish, use a traditional oil-based primer like Hirshfield’s product number 88-6050, which offers superior penetration and adhesion. This can be coated with high-quality 100 acrylic latex paint, such as Hirshfield’s Housecoat or Platinum Exterior, with a sheen for a smoother finish. For areas with peeling problems, use Peel Bond, a combination primer, bonder, and wood stabilizer, especially on horizontal bottom surfaces exposed to moisture and sun. Applying two coats of paint over either primer or Peel Bond ensures a thicker, longer-lasting paint film.

Is oil or latex primer better for exterior wood?

For decades, the professional paint preparation protocol was to prime unpainted wood with oil-based primer and then topcoat it with at least two coats of latex paint. This was because oil-based primer penetrated wood fibers better than latex primer, ensuring a firmer bond and longer-lasting paint job. However, if the siding is weathered, oil-based primer is the best choice. If weathered areas can be sanded back to bright wood or if the siding isn’t weathered, latex primer is likely the better choice.

Oil-based primer hardens over time, becoming inflexible and brittle. When exposed to changing humidity, heat, or cold and dry winter air, the primer cracks under the paint, loosening its grip and causing peeling.

Is exterior oil based primer better than latex?

For decades, the professional paint preparation protocol was to prime unpainted wood with oil-based primer and then topcoat it with at least two coats of latex paint. This was because oil-based primer penetrated wood fibers better than latex primer, ensuring a firmer bond and longer-lasting paint job. However, if the siding is weathered, oil-based primer is the best choice. If weathered areas can be sanded back to bright wood or if the siding isn’t weathered, latex primer is likely the better choice.

Oil-based primer hardens over time, becoming inflexible and brittle. When exposed to changing humidity, heat, or cold and dry winter air, the primer cracks under the paint, loosening its grip and causing peeling.

Do you need a special primer for exterior wood?

When choosing a primer for wood surfaces, consider the surface and whether it will be used for interior or exterior use. Exterior primers are generally better for long-lasting results and help prevent cracking and erosion. However, not every primer on the market is suitable for wood. There are specific primers designed for different types of wood. For painted wood, if the paint is chipping or cracked, apply an oil-based primer.

For new wood, with no stains and minimal grains, a latex primer may work well. If repainting good-condition wood, no primer is needed. However, if the paint is chipping or cracked, scraping off most of the old paint and applying an oil-based primer is recommended.

What is the best exterior primer for old painted wood?

Acrylic primer, also known as latex primer, is a water-based coating used to prime wood siding, trim, galvanized metal, and T-111 and Hardie board siding. Proper prep work is crucial for any project, especially exterior house painting. A good primer allows paint to adhere more strongly to the surface, smooths into cracks and pores in the substrate, and improves the paint’s ability to resist surface moisture. To find the best primer for your home, it is essential to find one that will adhere to the specific surface you’ll be painting. By following these tips, you can ensure the success of your paint job.

What primer is best for trim?

All Surface Enamel Oil Primer is a durable primer designed for use in areas that require a high degree of wear resistance, such as doors, trim, and windows. It addresses common issues encountered during painting, ensures adhesion, accelerates the topcoating process, prevents peeling, maintains the original paint color with minimal coats, and enhances the performance of the topcoat when retouching. Furthermore, the product inhibits the penetration of stains, marks, and odors, thereby achieving a smooth and professional finish.

How to prep exterior trim for painting?

Step 2: The exterior trim should be prepared by scraping off peeling paint, filling holes with exterior wood filler (such as Elmer’s ProBond Max Wood Filler), lightly sanding it when dry, and caulking the seams between trim and siding.

Should you prime exterior before painting?

In the event that one is engaged in the process of covering over bare wood, whether for the purpose of localized wood replacement or sanding, it is of the utmost importance to utilize exterior primer. This provides a foundation upon which the topcoat can adhere, thus constituting a vital component of the surface preparation process.

How many coats of primer on exterior trim?

For re-painting walls, trim, and other unfinished surfaces like new drywall, one coat of primer is typically required, unless the new color is the same or similar. Medium-power primer is the go-to primer for changing from dark to light colors. For unpainted wood, one coat of the right primer is recommended. If color changes are not drastic, no primer is required. Primers come in three basic flavors: latex, oil, shellac, mineral spirits, and alcohol. In most cases, one coat of primer is applied, and all can be sanded for a smooth start.