The importance of primer: Prepping for a perfect paint job

Thinking about giving your home a fresh coat of paint? Whether you're revamping your living room or tackling a full exterior repaint, there’s one essential step that can make or break the final result—primer.

Many Aussie homeowners skip it, but primer is the unsung hero of any professional paint job. It’s not just a base coat—it’s the foundation that helps your paint stick better, last longer, and look smoother. In this guide, we’ll explain why priming your walls is so important, when it’s needed, and how to get the best results—especially if you're planning to hire a professional painter near you.

Why Use Primer Before Painting?

Primer is more than just an extra layer of paint.

• Seals porous surfaces like timber, brick, or plasterboard

• Improves adhesion, helping your topcoat bond properly

• Reduces the number of paint coats needed, saving you money

• Prevents stains, mould and peeling, especially in humid areas

Whether you're painting a new home, refreshing a rental, or covering up dark walls with a lighter colour, primer helps you achieve a clean, even finish that lasts.

Want Your Paint Job to Last? Prime First.

In Australia, where the climate can range from hot and humid to cool and dry, priming is crucial for long-term durability. Properly primed walls resist cracking, fading, and bubbling—especially in high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. If you’re painting the exterior of your home, primer is essential. It protects surfaces from UV damage, rain, and temperature changes—ideal for Aussie weather conditions.

Do You Need to Sand Before Priming?

It depends. If your wall is in good nick—flat and already painted—you might get away with just a quick wipe down. But if you’re dealing with:

• Glossy surfaces

• Rough patches or flaking paint

• Water damage or stains

... then a light sand will help the primer stick better and give you a smoother finish.

Sanding isn’t always a massive job—often, a light pass with fine sandpaper is all that’s needed before applying your undercoat.

Choosing the Right Primer for Aussie Conditions

Here’s a quick guide to common types of primer used across Australian homes:

• Acrylic (latex-based) – Great for most interior walls. Quick-drying and low odour.

• Oil-based – Best for problem areas like water stains or glossy surfaces. Perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and trims.

• Stain-blocking/shellac-based – Powerful at covering tough stains, smoke damage, or old tannin bleed from timber.

If you’re unsure, a local painter will know exactly which type to use for your home and environment.

How to Apply Primer Like a Pro

If you’re DIY-ing your painting project, follow these steps for priming:

1. Clean the surface – Remove dust, grease, and cobwebs.

2. Fill gaps or cracks – Use a filler to smooth over imperfections.

3. Sand if needed – Lightly sand glossy or damaged areas.

4. Apply primer – Use a quality roller or brush for even coverage.

5. Let it dry fully – Follow the manufacturer’s drying time before painting.

For most residential projects, one coat of primer is usually enough, unless you’re dealing with heavy stains or switching from a dark to a light colour.

What a Good Primer Job Looks Like

Priming doesn’t just affect how the paint sticks—it changes the final look of your space. You’ll notice:

• A more vibrant and even colour

• Fewer patches or inconsistencies

• A smoother, professional finish

In short, primer makes your paint pop—and helps it stay that way for years to come.

Need Help with Interior Painting?

Not keen on sanding, prepping, or priming yourself? Let the pros take care of it.

At Painter Adam, we offer high-quality residential and commercial painting services across Australia. Whether you're updating a single room or painting your whole home, our team ensures proper surface prep, including wall sanding and priming, for a result that’s built to last.

Use our online paint job cost calculator to get a quick, no-obligation quote.