Do you have to use a primer when painting over an off white flat paint

Deb Skelly-rath
by Deb Skelly-rath
  15 answers
  • Skye Skye on Oct 16, 2017

    I would, But no

  • Gail Morey Gail Morey on Oct 16, 2017

    A lot of paints now come with a pain and primer in one can. Save yourself time and effort, and buy the right kind.

  • Gail Morey Gail Morey on Oct 16, 2017

    paint

  • 27524803 27524803 on Oct 16, 2017

    The flat paint can act as the primer, depending on what you use to go over it (with)

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Oct 16, 2017

    Whatever you are painting make sure it is clean first, then just paint over it. I sometimes use flat as a primer (in the same color spectrum) then paint with a satin or semi gloss finish. Best of luck.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Oct 16, 2017

    I'd not use one.

  • Lori Lori on Oct 16, 2017

    No


  • Lori Lori on Oct 16, 2017

    Flat paint is NOT a primer. Primer is made for new paint to conceal a color and add with the adhesion of the new paint,

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 16, 2017

    You will get better coverage with the new paint using a good primer fir

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Oct 16, 2017

    Paint it. Primer is for things that have not been painted, and it is usually used on metal. Your flat paint will act as a primer. Don't buy primer already in the paint, it doesn't work like it should.

  • Af Af on Oct 16, 2017

    I wash mine with TSP first to prep them and have not had an issue yet.

  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Oct 16, 2017

    You don't have to....but primer always gives you a nice, smooth base coat for new paint to grab onto to. Also, depending on your new paint color, you can use a darker primer to help save paint.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Oct 16, 2017

    Clean and dust the walls and remove baseboards before you paint, though. ๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ’ž

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 16, 2017

    And it depends how long that paint has been on the wall and how porous, it could act as a sponge and suck up your paint without the primer. So a good choice would be a combo paint/primer in one.

    If your going really deep or dark in color, a tinted primer would reduce the number of coats you would have to apply. As in a pink tinted primer, will give a richer red with better coverage.

  • Ginny Ginny on Oct 17, 2017

    I was told by a professional painter to use a primer if you are changing brands or going from semi-gloss to flat. Ask your paint store for additional advice.