Give your home a high-quality makeover with exterior primer paint. Primer is the first coat you apply to a surface before painting. It's designed to provide a smooth and clean surface that paint can lock onto. It can also help to hide surface stains. The condition of the wall you are painting may determine the need for a primer. Porous surfaces need a primer, while glossy and stained surfaces benefit from a primer but don't need one. It is also helpful to prime the wall when changing from a dark to light colour. If in doubt, it's always a good idea to prime first.
Wall primer comes in a variety of types, including water-based and oil-based primers. Before you begin, decide which type is best for your project. Latex primers dry quickly, have a lower VOC content and suit a variety of surfaces. Oil-based primers take longer to dry but are long-lasting, durable and provide a better prepared surface. Oil-based primers are also great for wood as it can prevent tannin bleeding and other stains. Extend the life of your paint job and create a smooth, professional finish with proper preparation and primer paint.