Mineral and Chalk paints can be used directly on a wooden piece of furniture… so why do we sometimes say a primer is recommended?

One of the regular questions I’m asked when someone is new to painting furniture is … Do I need to prime the furniture first?

The general answer is “No, not if you are using a mineral or chalk paint”.

Mineral and chalk paints have amazing adhesion qualities which means that as long as you have cleaned your furniture to remove polishes, dirt, grease and grime, and then scuff sand it, you can just go straight in with your choice of gorgeous paint!

But that is the general answer and sometimes I do recommend a primer is used before applying your paint.

So when should we use a primer?

1. Painting Glossy Surfaces:Highly shiny surfaces, for example laminates and melamine, can stop your paint from sticking to the surface really well, meaning in the long term, your paint will scratch off the surface of your furniture. For these types of surface, I recommend using a coat of a bonding primer like Fusion’s Ultra grip or Pentart’s Bonding Primer, which will provide a surface that the paint can grip to. 
2. High Tannin Woods:Some woods contain tannins which, when using water based paints, will be pulled out of the wood and into your paint as it dries, causing pink and orange streaks and discolouration of your paint. These woods include: mahogany, oak and knotty pine. Prime with a stain blocking primer which seals the wood before painting with a water based paint.
3. Painting dark furniture a light colour:Primers  are considerably cheaper to use than a furniture paint, and going from a dark colour to a pale colour, especially white, will take many coats of furniture paint. For this type of upcycle, I recommend painting a coat or 2 of primer first. Although not as fun as going straight in with your paint colour, it will reduce the number of coats of paint you have to apply.
4. When your furniture really smells bad!Nobody likes smelly furniture, especially if you’ve just brought a vintage piece home to paint and put in your home! A general stain block primer will lock in contaminants sitting in wooden furniture - like smoke, pet smells, and mildew.
5. Painting MDFMDF needs to be sealed before using water based paint on it, otherwise the paint will absorb into the boards and cause colour variation on your finished paint work. I recommend using a shellac based primer for this.

So in summary, no, there is no reason to primer if your furniture is wooden, clean and in good condition, possibly pre-painted or varnished, and with a matte finish… otherwise please consider a primer first. It’s alleged better to be cautious than have your beautiful work ruined x

Tags

Furniture painting Furniture upcycling How to paint furniture Primers Priming furniture Upcycle furniture prep

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