2 Smart Tips For Priming Dark Colored Walls
If you're priming or painting a wall, you should understand the benefits that come with investing in eco friendly polyurethane clear coats and low VOC paints. In fact, in a recent study, participants spent six full work days in an environmentally-controlled office space at the TIEQ lab at the Syracuse Center of Excellence. In this space, VOC levels were reduced to approximately 50 micrograms per cubic meter and 40 cubic feet per minute of outdoor air per person. They found that, on average, cognitive scores were 101% higher than in conventional workspaces.
With that in mind, it's also important to emphasize proper application, and it can be difficult to apply low VOC or eco friendly primer to certain walls, particularly if they have dark colors. Here are just a few tips for properly applying primer to walls with dark colors.
Choose the 'high hide' label There are countless primers on the market, but some have the distinction of being 'high hide,' which means that they're specially formulated to work on darker shades. To determine how effective a primer will be at hiding your wall's dark colors, look at the label and check the amount of titanium dioxide, or TiO2. Primers with higher amounts of this compound are typically the best option for concealing even the darkest colors during the priming process.
"Without primer, some of the dark color can saturate the new paint color, causing a blotchy look or creating a different color than you intended. You will find many different types of primer on the shelves of hardware and home improvement stores -- look for one recommended for use under a drastic color change," writes Gwen Bruno on SFGate.
Clean the wall properly Another important aspect of priming a wall is to properly clean it. This means performing an initial cleanse using an all-purpose cleaner mixed with water. You should then take the time to scrape loose paint and other debris from the surface of the wall. Don't forget to fill holes and imperfections with a spackling compound to ensure a smooth application.
Ultimately, understanding these tips for applying primer to walls with dark colors is the key to ensuring success during any type of painting job. For more information about eco friendly polyurethane clear coats, contact Ecos Paints.