Primers ? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Charlie_1 · 03-13-2006, 04:43 PM

Should a primer be used before painting with acrylic or latex ?

Charlie,

Neal Moore · 03-13-2006, 05:07 PM

Personally I seldom use a primer when painting wood with acrylics. It generally depends on what you want to cover. I like to use several wash coats of acrylic as opposed to one heavy coat and let the color "build" with each additional coat. If there are blemishes in the wood that you need to hide then a primer would be in order. If you use a good sanding sealer first and then paint with wash coats you can control how much, if any, wood grain is visible in the finished piece. Additionally, the luster of the finished product is nicer with wash coats than with one heavy coat. When I do use a primer I use Gesso mixed about 50/50 with the acrylic color I intend to use on the project. Wash a few thin coats of that on and let each coat dry before applying the next. Then, build the color you want using several wash coats of acrylic thinned with water. Also let each coat dry before applying the next until you get the depth of color you're looking for.

SharonW0111 · 03-13-2006, 06:52 PM

To me nothing in this world is prettier than wood grain..even if it has color I would still like to see the grain.. No primer on my part please...
Sharon

Charlie_1 · 03-13-2006, 07:15 PM

Thank you both for the info , will try the sanding sealer and see how that does ,there are a few blemishes in the wood Id like to cover up and that might do the trick :-)
Thank you both :-)

sheltiecarver · 03-13-2006, 07:17 PM

Charlie,
It may depend on the look you are trying to achieve. A primer should sort of seal the wood, allowing the paint or stain or whatever comes next to sit right up there and show - if it is paint, and you want crisp lines or fine detail, then a primer (or, as I sometimes prefer, sanding sealer) will allow you that precision. If, on the other hand, you are just sort of tinting the wood with light dilute coats, then no sealer lets it soak in a bit, and gives you a softer, "woodier" look. And if you're using a wood with ugly or no grain or character, then prime with a dilute coat, follow with more coats of thinned paint, and you've got it.
In most cases, a thick or heavy coat of paint gives a "plastic-y" look to the project - and that is better left for - well - plastics. (In my humble opinion.)
I usually have similarly strong opinions on high gloss finishes.

Sandy

Charlie_1 · 03-13-2006, 07:27 PM

Well its sort of both , I want to to look more crisp with the paint than it is , and there are a few blemishes in the wood that the paint isnt covering up .
I got the scrolling part going better ,but the paint is a whole other story story lol :-)

Thank you :-)

Charlie

boogatoo · 03-14-2006, 01:46 AM

If the wood you want to cover with paint is pine, use one coat white dewaxed white shellac mixed at a rate of 2 pounds cut. (You can buy it pre-mixed in any D.I.Y center). Put 2-3 coats over the knots. Pine is a resinous wood and the resins bleed and blend into the paint (oil base or latex) EVEN IF YOU PUT PRIMER specially over the knots.

Shellac dries in a few minutes and requires only 45 minutes between coats. Lightly sand between coats with a 200 grits sand paper.

Don't use foam paintbrush. Clean brushes with denatured alcohol.

Charlie_1 · 03-14-2006, 07:56 PM

will have to try that :-)
thank you

arbarnhart · 03-17-2006, 01:55 PM

Following up on Bugatoo's suggestion, I would specifically recommend Zinsser Bulls Eye SealCoat as the pre-mixed dewaxed shellac. Note that they also have a canned shellac that is labeled just as shellac (which I also like, but for other purposes) that is not dewaxed and is a stronger mix. It has a 3 year shelf life and the date is stamped on the bottom of the can.

Charlie_1 · 03-19-2006, 05:30 PM

Thank you :-)

Learning more every day :-)

03-13-2006, 04:43 PM	#1
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 760	Primers ? Should a primer be used before painting with acrylic or latex ? Charlie,

03-13-2006, 05:07 PM	#2
Neal Moore Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cottageville, West Virginia Posts: 1,077	Personally I seldom use a primer when painting wood with acrylics. It generally depends on what you want to cover. I like to use several wash coats of acrylic as opposed to one heavy coat and let the color "build" with each additional coat. If there are blemishes in the wood that you need to hide then a primer would be in order. If you use a good sanding sealer first and then paint with wash coats you can control how much, if any, wood grain is visible in the finished piece. Additionally, the luster of the finished product is nicer with wash coats than with one heavy coat. When I do use a primer I use Gesso mixed about 50/50 with the acrylic color I intend to use on the project. Wash a few thin coats of that on and let each coat dry before applying the next. Then, build the color you want using several wash coats of acrylic thinned with water. Also let each coat dry before applying the next until you get the depth of color you're looking for. __________________ If it don't fit, don't force it....get a bigger hammer!!

03-13-2006, 07:15 PM	#4
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 760	Thank you Thank you both for the info , will try the sanding sealer and see how that does ,there are a few blemishes in the wood Id like to cover up and that might do the trick :-) Thank you both :-)

03-13-2006, 07:27 PM	#6
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 760	thank you :-) Well its sort of both , I want to to look more crisp with the paint than it is , and there are a few blemishes in the wood that the paint isnt covering up . I got the scrolling part going better ,but the paint is a whole other story story lol :-) Thank you :-) Charlie

03-14-2006, 01:46 AM	#7
boogatoo Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	Dewaxed shellac If the wood you want to cover with paint is pine, use one coat white dewaxed white shellac mixed at a rate of 2 pounds cut. (You can buy it pre-mixed in any D.I.Y center). Put 2-3 coats over the knots. Pine is a resinous wood and the resins bleed and blend into the paint (oil base or latex) EVEN IF YOU PUT PRIMER specially over the knots. Shellac dries in a few minutes and requires only 45 minutes between coats. Lightly sand between coats with a 200 grits sand paper. Don't use foam paintbrush. Clean brushes with denatured alcohol. Last edited by boogatoo; 03-16-2006 at 01:54 AM.

03-13-2006, 06:52 PM	#3
SharonW0111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ne Texas Posts: 878	To me nothing in this world is prettier than wood grain..even if it has color I would still like to see the grain.. No primer on my part please... Sharon

03-13-2006, 07:17 PM	#5
sheltiecarver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rural Central California Foothills Posts: 569	Charlie, It may depend on the look you are trying to achieve. A primer should sort of seal the wood, allowing the paint or stain or whatever comes next to sit right up there and show - if it is paint, and you want crisp lines or fine detail, then a primer (or, as I sometimes prefer, sanding sealer) will allow you that precision. If, on the other hand, you are just sort of tinting the wood with light dilute coats, then no sealer lets it soak in a bit, and gives you a softer, "woodier" look. And if you're using a wood with ugly or no grain or character, then prime with a dilute coat, follow with more coats of thinned paint, and you've got it. In most cases, a thick or heavy coat of paint gives a "plastic-y" look to the project - and that is better left for - well - plastics. (In my humble opinion.) I usually have similarly strong opinions on high gloss finishes. Sandy

03-14-2006, 07:56 PM	#8
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 760	Thank you :-) will have to try that :-) thank you

03-17-2006, 01:55 PM	#9
arbarnhart Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cary. NC Posts: 119	pre-mixed shellac Following up on Bugatoo's suggestion, I would specifically recommend Zinsser Bulls Eye SealCoat as the pre-mixed dewaxed shellac. Note that they also have a canned shellac that is labeled just as shellac (which I also like, but for other purposes) that is not dewaxed and is a stronger mix. It has a 3 year shelf life and the date is stamped on the bottom of the can. __________________ -Andy

03-19-2006, 05:30 PM	#10
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 760	Thank you all for the info :-) Thank you :-) Learning more every day :-)

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