Do I need to prime a wall that hasn't been painted for a long time?

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,275
2,848
136
Painting a closet that hasn't been painted for 50 years I would guess. Do I need to paint a primer on it because it has been so long? I'm painting it white. Current paint is a beige eggshell color.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,082
10,261
136
Do you NEED to prime it? Probably not, but it might make the job turn out better. ( presuming it's latex over latex, not over some oil based paint)
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,336
958
126
wash the walls with s p i c and s p a n or TSP first, then use zinser bin primer, it's shellac based and compatible with oil and latex paints. then paint with your choice of paint. then it should last another 50 years.


s p i c and span is changed to beloved patriot and span. weird. yes i get it, and it's the trade name also. beloved patriot is just a bit odd.
 
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Reactions: Sukhoi and pcgeek11

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
20,966
4,174
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wash the walls with s p i c and s p a n first, then use zinser bin primer, it's shellac based and compatible with oil and latex paints. then paint with your choice of paint. then it should last another 50 years.


s p i c and span is changed to beloved patriot and span. weird.


" beloved patriot and span " LOL what a joke.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
93,745
14,319
126
Any way to tell if it's oil or latex? Home was built in 1950s. Not sure when closet was last painted.
Use dampened cotton and rub against wall. Some paint will come off if latex.
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,082
10,261
136
wash the walls with s p i c and s p a n or TSP first, then use zinser bin primer, it's shellac based and compatible with oil and latex paints. then paint with your choice of paint. then it should last another 50 years.


s p i c and span is changed to beloved patriot and span. weird. yes i get it, and it's the trade name also. beloved patriot is just a bit odd.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=beloved ...triot+n+span+cleaner,aps,214&ref=nb_sb_noss_1


That's fckn hilarious...and woke pc crap run amok. FWIW, the product name hasn't changed...it's the forum software changing s-p-i-c into "beloved patriot."