Can drywall primer be used on painted walls?

Shojib Hoq | Jun 12, 2022

Is your house wall already printed, but to improve color seen or hide past mistakes, you want to use drywall primer. And you may be confusing,” Can drywall primer be used on painted walls.”

Generally, you can use drywall primer on past painted walls. Although, in the market, there have specific primers for different painted surfaces. But you can use drywall primer without any issue.

In this article, I will explain how to apply drywall primer on painted walls, how many coats are needed, and how to deal with the drywall primer problem.

Can drywall primer be used on painted walls?

Drywall primer is built for use on drywall surfaces. However, you can use it on painted walls. But you have to take care of something. For example, clean the wall surface property. There should not be dust, peeling paint, and other waste. The primer will not stick well if you do not care about this.

You can check the article about what should if you forget to prime drywall before painting.

Can drywall primer be used directly?

Drywall primers have good adhesion ability. You do not need to apply any material to the wall surface—just a little sand on the surface to remove any dirt or peeling paint. Then apply the primer.

Best way to apply drywall primer

Applying drywall primer is not a very hard task. Following these steps, you can easily complete your project.

Material need:

1. 100-150 grit sandpaper
2. Paintbrush
3. Primer

Step 1. Take 100-150 grit sandpaper and sand all painted wall surfaces. Remove all dust and peeling paint. 

Step 2. Apply a thin coat of drywall primer to the sanded wall surface. 

Step 3. Let the primer dry for at least 12-24 hours. 

Step 4. Apply a second coat of primer to the wall surface.

I hope your project is now successfully done.

How many coats of drywall primer need

The first coat is an important part. If you do it well, the second coat is enough. But if you think the second coat does not help, apply the third coat as the final coat.

So 2-3 coats are ok for drywall primer. 

Why is drywall primer running on painted walls?

There have many reasons for running paint or primer from walls. Some major reasons are described below.

Unmixed paint or primer

If you see that the primer is running or bubbling on the wall surface, it means that the primer is not properly mixed. Primer is a liquid that needs to be mixed properly to achieve good adhesion. If the primer is too thick, it will not flow smoothly and cause runs. 

Poorly executed priming job

If the primer is not properly applied, it can cause the paint to peel. And in the long run, peeling paint can worsen the problem. For example, if the primer forms a barrier between the paint and the wall surface, the paint will not dry properly and will start to peel. 

Poorly cured primer

Drywall primer is a type of sealant. It needs to be cured properly to achieve good adhesion. If the primer is not cured properly, it can cause the paint to peel. Poorly cured primer can also cause the primer to bubble.

Too much moisture or too cold

The primer will not cure properly when the temperature is too cold or too much moisture is present. This weather will cause the primer to run and the paint to peel.

FAQ

Conclusion

So drywall primer can be used on painted walls. You can use it on also house ceilings and the concrete surface. However, drywall primer is the cheapest option. For professional work, you should use proper primer on your wall. 

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