Primer

Paint Primer Preparation - A basic arts & crafts medium

A paint primer is a versatile medium that provides the perfect base coat, pre-treatment or protection layer for a variety of surfaces - including wood, plastic, metal and styrofoam. Using the correct paint primer results in better adhesion is likely to help the paint last longer, increase durability and give a better overall finish. A paint primer helps to ensure that an even paint colour is achieved on various surfaces.

For artists and crafters, primers come either in a spray can or in a can or tube which then needs to be sprayed onto a surface or painted onto a surface with a brush or roller.

For artists who use oils, an oil painting primer is used for priming canvases, providing a surface with excellent adhesion for the layers of oil paints to follow. It also contains non-yellowing, oil-modified alkyd resin and generally dries within 24 hours.

For crafting paint projects on plastic, polystyrene or metal, there are specific spray primers for each of these surfaces. Drying time will vary depending on the temperature and humidity, but will generally take a few hours. Universal spray primers are ideal for wood and cardboard. Gesso primers are often used for priming canvases before adding acrylic paint on top.

For a professional-looking finish, make sure you use the correct primer for your next arts or craft project.