How to Prime and Paint wood ?

Before getting into the how tos of Priming and Painting wood, it helps to understand a little bit about the difference between wood paints and stains. This tutorial is particularly useful for your everyday small wooden DIY projects while it can also be extended to bigger ones like your furniture.

Note: This post only addresses painting on bare wood. The technique is different when an already finished wood needs to be repainted.

Why is priming required on wood ? (Back to Top)                                                                                           

• Priming is essential to provide the undercoat and topcoat of paint an even surface
• It allows for uniform absorption of paint, helps cover the grains and pores and thereby enables a flat, opaque, and smoother finish.

Some safety pre-requisites (Back to Top)                                                                                          

Primer and paint give out strong fumes. It irritates the eyes and can also cause certain discomfort if inhaled. You may want to be better prepared with woodworking safety equipments like face masks and eyegears while indulging in this activity.

Materials and consumables required (Back to Top)

Primer allows for uniform absorption of paint, helps cover the grains and enables a flat and smoother finish

Primer, Paint and Brush

• Wooden surface
• Primer (We have used HEROLITE wood primer - 200 ml)
• Wood Paint (We have used Asian Paints Brown Premium gloss enamel - 200ml)
• Paint Brushes (1 inch brush, 1 each for priming and painting)
• Some sand paper and chalk putty

Note: The amount of Primer and paint required is dependent on the surface of the wooden furniture you are painting on.

Surface preparation for priming wood (Back to Top)

Plywood for priming and painting

• The wood we have chosen for this demonstration is a 6 mm plywood
• As you can  see, the grains, besides the brand name are obviously visible on the surface.
• Since paint forms a opaque film and would hide the grains, light sanding on the surface would suffice before applying the primer.
• Here I am using a 120 grit sandpaper for light sanding.
• Once sanded, ensure all the dust that are a result of sanding are cleanly wiped off using a tack (gada) cloth.

Apply the primer (Back to Top)

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Dip the brush into the can

Apply the primer using firm and uniform back and forth motion of the paint brush

Apply the first coat of primer

• The primer I am using here is HEROLITE wood primer.
• Shake the can well before opening it, stir the contents well and mix 2-3% of thinner as required and stir well.
• Dip the brush into the can (Atleast about 1 inch of the bristles into the primer) and start applying the first coating of primer on the wooden surface.
• Don't worry too much about evenness at this point.
• Ensure most portions of the surface is well covered with primer.
• Those that have been missed out can be done during the second coating.
• Allow a minimum drying time of 8 hrs.

After the first coat of primer on wood

Apply the second coating of Primer

The putty allows for a much smoother surface than earlier, providing the second coat of primer an even base

Mix chalk putty with water to make a paste

Smear putty across surface and wipe off excess

• Now this is a trick that a professional carpenter taught me. Between the first and second coating of primer, apply putty across the surface and wipe off the excess using the tack cloth.
• Allow a 20-30 minute drying time.
• The putty allows for a much smoother surface than earlier, providing the second coat of primer an even base.
• Be generous in the amount of primer that you take on the brush and apply it using firm back and forth motion of the brush.
• Allow it another 8 hour drying.
• Now the surface on the wood has the necessary base onto which the undercoat of paint will easily stick onto.

After the second Primer coat

Apply the paint undercoat (Back to Top)

If you are not used to painting before, it helps to try this on a sample piece of wood

Undercoat of paint applied on wood

• As in the case of primer, shake the can of paint well, and stir it before dipping the brush in.
• Dilute the paint with 2-3% of thinner to enable free flow of paint during application. The original content will be thick and viscous.
• Take generous amount of paint in the brush (Dip in atleast about 1 inch of the bristles into the paint can) and apply it evenly across the surface using slow and firm back and forth motion.
• If you are not used to painting before, it helps to try this on a sample piece of wood.
• Allow it another 8 hours of drying.
• Gently sand off any bubble or blob that was formed while applying the undercoat.

Apply the topcoat of paint on wood

Gently sand off any bubble or blob that was formed while applying the undercoat

And that is how you apply primer and paint on wood

• It will help to sand the surface lightly using a 320 grit sand paper. This will eliminate the blobs from the earlier coat.
• Apply the topcoat of paint for the final look.
• You may want to ensure that the surface is neat and smooth without any bubbles or blobs.
• Allow it to dry.

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P.S. Linking in : Colours Dekor

- Somu