How Many Coats of Paint Do I Need?

There are a ton of variables that go into determining how to achieve the perfect finish – things like the existing paint color, the new paint color, the type of paint and much more. Although there might not be one answer to how many coats of pain you need on your wall, we want to provide a formula to help determine how many coats are likely needed for whatever your interior painting scenario may be.

Primer

Primer is a painter’s best friend. By applying primer to your walls before the new color, you are essentially turning your wall into a blank canvas. I know some of you may be thinking, “but that’s just extra coats I have to paint.” Yes and no. While primer may be an extra coat or two, it is preventing you from having to paint coat after coat of your color – and primer helps avoid walls with streaks. So how many coats of primer do you use? Here is your answer:

• One coat if:
  • The primer you’re using is tinted
  •  You are painting over a white or very light pre-existing color
• Two Coats if:
  • Pre-existing paint color is darker than the new paint color
  • Wall you’re painting is unfinished wood
  • Wall you’re painting on is unfinished drywall or plaster
• No Primer if:
  • Paint is 2-in-1 or self-priming

As you can see, the workload involved in your next painting project depends on the pre-existing paint color, the wall texture and even the paint itself. Once you are all primed up, it should typically take one coat of the new paint color to achieve the flawless finish you are looking for, as long as you are using quality paint.

For more information about achieving an even finish for your next painting project, call Texas Professional Painters!