What are the Best Primers for Covering Dark Paint?

Why is Priming Important Before Painting with a Lighter Colored Paint?

Primers are useful before painting over any surface. They become mandatory in certain situations, like switching from a darker to a lighter color or painting over repaired, patched, or stained walls. You can also use it when painting porous surfaces and walls that are more likely to develop mildew; for example, bathrooms.

In these situations, they serve the following purposes:

• Primers help to block out stains that may be present on the walls. This is particularly important when using a dark color over a lighter coat of paint as it eliminates any unevenness in the new coat of paint you apply.
• On walls that have rough patches or have been recently repaired, the primers eliminate these imperfections. This is critical in ensuring that the new coat of paint sticks appropriately to the wall.
• Primers also help in eliminating shiny surfaces. This is a common feature in dark paints as they tend to have a glossy finish that makes it difficult for a new coat of paint to stick to the wall.
• It neutralizes the old layer's color so that when the new coat of paint is applied, its actual color shines through

What Types of Primers are Available on The Market?

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Primer

Getting a primer is one thing; getting the best out of the primer you got is another. Follow these tips to prevent avoidable mistakes:

• Make use of appropriate products in fixing any cracks or gaps in the wall.
• Use sanding paper to smoothen out any visibly noticeable bumps or patches in the wall. This helps the primer set ultimately and adequately increases the bond between the primer and the overlying coat.
• Use a damp sponge to remove dust and other particles that may have settled on the wall during the sanding process.

Best Primers for Covering Dark Paint Review

The list of recommended products was compiled based on professional purchaser opinions and is based on several criteria, including user reviews, durability, efficiency at concealing the underlying dark coat of paint, and value for money. And now, the best primers for covering dark paint are:

​Pros

• This is perfect for interior use and uses in residential rooms.
• It effectively seals off moisture and can be used in high-humidity and moist environments like kitchens, bathrooms, powder rooms, and laundry rooms.
• They emit minimal volatile chemicals, and so is a healthy option.
• It has a low odor and is still effective at blocking odor from smoke found on the walls.
• It has a short dry time. The overcoat can be applied about an hour later.
• A prominent and trustworthy brand manufactures it.
• This is a versatile product and can be used on drywall, plaster, paneling, stucco, wood, brick, masonry, galvanized metal, etc.
• Effectively prevents the growth of mildew and mold in areas prone to moisture and warm temperatures.
• Can efficiently block out light to medium stains.
• Properly adheres to the underlying surface and overlying coat of paint.

Cons 

• It doesn’t work well with very severe stains like very dark and thick smoke.
  
  

​Pros

• This product is excellent at adhering the overlying layer to itself.
• It has excellent sealing properties for both porous external and internal surfaces.
• Dual-purposed as can be used to prime both exterior and interior surfaces.
• It is excellent for color changes and has a strong stain blocking performance for light to medium stains like ink, felt, pencil, grease, and rust.
• Works on a wide range of surfaces, including drywall, plaster, woodwork, paneling, masonry, and even glossy surfaces.
• It is ideal for walls, ceilings, and doors.
• It has a mildew-resistant exterior finish.
• It has a quick dry time; recoating can be done within an hour.
• It possesses a low odor, and low emission rate of volatile chemicals and so are airway-friendly.
• It is water-based and hence easy to clean when a mess is made.
• High value for money
• Trusted brand name

Cons

A single coat wouldn’t be sufficient to hide severe stains properly.

Pros

• Meager emission rates of volatile gases and low odor. Safe for home and workspaces.
• It can be used on both interior and exterior drywall, plaster, woodwork, paneling, masonry, and brick.
• KILZ premium primer is utterly resistant to mildew and mold growth.
• KILZ is ideal for high humidity areas like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Efficiently blocks light to medium stains.
• It would completely block out the dark paint beneath, letting the overcoat shine properly.
• Can eliminate small elevations and grooves and effectively seal off porous surfaces and other imperfections.
• Excesses can be cleaned easily with water.
• Easy to use.
• High value for money.
• A trusted manufacturing brand makes it.

Cons: None

Pros

• Adds a shiny, glossy finish to your walls.
• Hides most stains, even the severe forms like smoke, grease, or large water stains.
• Suitable for use over nu
• it completely seals off the bleeding of tannins in underlying wood.
• It can be used in moisture and temperature-intensity rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries due to superior sealing properties.
• This product has relatively quick drying times compared to other oil-based primers.
• This works best for wooden surfaces.
• This primer adheres fully to external and internal surfaces.
• The high-hiding formula completely hides the underlying dark coat of paint while accenting the overlying coat's sheen.
• Easy to use.
• It is worth the price tag.

Cons

• ​It may take longer to dry (up to 3 hours) than the latex-based primers.
• The odor is not so friendly on the nose.
• It possesses a relatively higher volatile chemical emission rate.