5 Reasons You Should Never Skip Priming Before Painting
Business Owners’ Guides On Interior Painting
5 Reasons You Should Never Skip Priming
In residential and commercial painting, primer is more than a suggestion—it’s foundational. Whether you’re working on drywall, wood, plaster, or a previously painted surface, skipping primer can sabotage the final result, no matter how expensive your paint is.
As professional house painters in Edmonton, we consistently see the difference primer makes, especially in our extreme climate. Below are five no-nonsense reasons why primer is essential, and why skipping it is a shortcut that backfires.
1. Paint Won’t Properly Adhere Without It
Primer creates a surface that paint can grip. Bare drywall, wood, or patched areas tend to absorb paint inconsistently. Without primer, even high-end paint can peel, bubble, or flake within weeks.
Especially in Edmonton, where temperature swings and humidity can cause expansion and contraction, adhesion is critical. Primer acts like a handshake between the surface and the topcoat—without it, you risk premature failure.
2. Uneven Absorption Ruins the Finish
Unprimed surfaces absorb paint unevenly. The result? Streaks, patches, and a finish that looks blotchy and unprofessional. On drywall, for instance, the paper surface and compound patches soak up paint differently, creating visible contrast after drying.
A coat of quality primer seals the surface uniformly, allowing your finish coat to look clean, consistent, and true to its intended color.
3. Color and Stain Bleed Will Show Through
Painting over darker colors or surfaces with stains (like water marks or nicotine discoloration) without a stain-blocking primer is a recipe for regret. These stains will bleed through—sometimes even after two or three coats of paint.
Primer with stain-blocking properties locks in previous colors, smoke damage, and water rings so they don’t reappear after your topcoat dries.
4. It Costs More to Fix the Mistake Later
Trying to cut costs by skipping primer usually backfires financially. Without a proper base, the topcoat may not last more than a season before needing touch-ups or a complete redo. In many cases, the paint needs to be stripped and reapplied correctly—with primer this time.
In Edmonton’s market, the cost of repainting due to poor prep can easily exceed the cost of doing it right the first time. Investing in primer is not an upsell—it’s a safeguard.
5. Primer Extends Paint Life—Especially in Edmonton’s Climate
Edmonton experiences dry winters, hot summers, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles. These environmental stresses can degrade paint faster if it’s not properly bonded to the substrate.
Primer provides an extra layer of protection against cracking, peeling, and moisture infiltration. It increases paint durability, reducing the frequency of repainting and keeping your surfaces looking sharp for years—not months.