Paint vs. Primer and can Primer be used as the finish Coat of Paint?

This post outlines the differences between paint vs. primer and answers the question about if you can use primer as the finish coat of paint.

A friend asked me a question about primer that I had never thought about. Can you use primer as paint? In other words, can primer be the final coat of paint on a furniture piece? I was giving him pointers on how to refinish laminate cabinets, so I of course told him to use primer first.  After the primer dried, he liked the finish so much he didn’t want to paint over it. Can primer be used as the finish coat of paint? I had to think about this one and do a little research and I’ve outlined my conclusion below. I figured if he was asking, someone else has probably asked or wanted to know this too. I’ve outlined all my thoughts below about paint vs. primer and can primer be used as the finish coat of paint.

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Let’s talk about primer vs. paint first. Even though they both seem similar, they have different purposes.

Primer:

Primer contains resins that seal to most surfaces, even porous ones, and provides a bond. This enables you to paint surfaces that would not adhere with regular paint.

Paint:

Paint on the other hand has what they call “pigments” which provides color and also durability to fight the elements.

Since primer’s function is mainly to bond and cover porous surfaces, it is not made to withstand elements like paint. Because of this, if you leave primer without a top coat (or paint) it will deteriorate and break down, probably in a chalk like form.

Looking for more painting tips? Maybe you want a little help choosing the right type of paint. You also might want to know if you really need to prime furniture before painting it.

Can paint be used without primer?

Yes, if the surface is smooth (non porous) and will allow the paint to adhere easily paint can be used without primer.

Can you paint directly over primer?

Yes you can paint over primer as long as it’s been freshly painted within a month or so. Using paint over old primer will not work because the old primer will more than likely start to break down.

Can primer be used as the finish coat of paint?

My opinion is simply No.

This doesn’t mean you have to apply paint over it, but you do need to seal it in some form or fashion.

A quick tip; since most primers are white or gray, I would suggest using a poly acrylic top coat and NOT a polyurethane top coat. The urethane family of top coats yellow with time. This is ok if you are using it to cover wood with a yellow or red tone, but if you are covering a white or lighter surface, you don’t want any yellowing over time.

I’ve seen this a few times when people paint kitchen cabinets a lighter or white color. They seal it with poly urethane because historically it was the strongest and most durable top coat. But a few years or so down the road you can see a hint of yellow on their bright white cabinets. This is more apparent in an area that sees a lot of sun.

I’ve shared all about how to seal furniture or wood for high traffic use in another post if you’re interested.

Related posts about primer:

Best Primer for Wood and Wood Furniture

Best Primer for Cabinets

Do you Need to use Primer for Furniture before Painting?

Paint vs. Primer

• Use primer when you’re painting a porous surface or a surface that most paint won’t adhere to.  Also use primer when you need to cover a dark color with a lighter one.
• Always cover primer with a top coat of sealer or paint.
• You don’t always have to use primer before paint.
• Primer and paint have different purposes, make sure you are using it right.
• Use a poly acrylic top coat when painting over a white or lighter color

Simply put;

You cannot use primer as a final coat of paint

What happens if you don’t prime wood before painting?

If you don’t prime wood before painting chances are that the paint will look blotchy because the different areas of wood will soak up the paint unevenly. Also, over time you might get what’s called “bleed through.” Bleed through happens when the old tannins (or old paint, stain etc.) in the wood start to show through the new paint and you will see spots of color.

For those looking to reduce the painting time with an All-in-One paint or Paint and Primer in one, check these posts out too!

I hope this post has answered some question for you regarding primer and paint and when to use them. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop them below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lindsey**