250-400 sq feet per gallon coverage with your behr exterior paint. With such a good primer base I would expect 325-350 sq feet per gallon on each of your 2 finish coats. Show activity on this post. Most paint manufacturers recommend 1 primer coat plus 2 finish coats.

How many coats of primer do I need for exterior wood?

How Many Coats of Primer on Exterior Wood? Exterior wood is more exposed to various elements, so you might want to use two coats of primer. This is a must if you are dealing with unfinished wood. After the primer dries, you should always follow up with one or two coats of paint.

How many coats of primer do I need for bare wood?





two coats

Don’t over or under apply the primer: You should aim to apply two coats of primer to your wood’s surface. Brush the primer on, and allow the first coat to dry completely before adding the second coat.

How much primer and paint do I need?

Paint usually is applied at 350 to 400 square feet per gallon (primer at 200 to 300 square feet per gallon).

Do I need to use primer on exterior wood before painting?

It’s important to prime bare exterior wood prior to painting because it seals the grain, prevents bleed-through and improves paint adhesion. It’s just as important to prime other materials, such as stucco, metal and concrete, for similar reasons.

How do I calculate how much primer I need?





Primer only covers 200-300 sq. ft. per gallon, so you’ll need slightly more primer than paint. Take your earlier total area and divide that number by 300 to get the minimum gallons of primer you’ll need for one coat.

How thick should a primer coat be?

2 to 3 mils

Primer shall be able to be applied satisfactory at 2 to 3 mils dry-film thickness in one coat.

How long can you leave exterior primer unpainted?

Primer can generally be left unpainted for no more than 30 days. If you wait too long, you will not be able to paint directly on the primer and will need to re-prime the wall. This is because it will begin to break down immediately after drying, and dust or other debris will accumulate.

Does primer have to be perfect?



The primer coat doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should cover the surface (no bare spots) and it shouldn’t be so blotchy that you get drips or visible unevenness.

Can paint with primer be used on bare wood?

Either latex primer or oil-based primer is suitable for raw wood, depending on the type of paint you will use. However, keep in mind that for wood such as cedar or redwood, oil-based primer is actually necessary as it penetrates deeper into the wood, helping to prevent tannin stains.

What is the best primer for exterior wood?

Best Exterior Primer

  • Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Brush-On Primer – (Best for Durability)
  • INSL-X Prime Lock Plus Primer – (Best for Painted Wood)
  • Kilz Klear Stain Blocking Primer – (Best for Easy Cleaning)
  • Rust-Oleum Zinsser Cover Stain – (Best for Bare Wood)
  • Kilz All-Purpose Exterior Primer – (Best Mildew Resistant Primer)

How many coats of primer do I need for exterior siding?



two coats

Most unpainted surfaces require two coats of primer. On a surface that’s never been primed or painted, some areas are more porous than others. These areas will absorb paint at different rates, leaving you with a blotchy paint job.

How do you prime exterior wood?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It's time for the regular oil-based exterior primer got my brush on my cutting pot. Got my five gallon bucket with roller ramp and a roller. You might want to bring along a masker.

How much will a gallon of primer cover?

approximately 225-275 square feet



One gallon of Primer will cover approximately 225-275 square feet.

How much exterior paint do I need for a 1500 square foot house?

For example, a 1,500 square foot home will need five gallons of paint for a single coat with a 300 square foot coverage (1,500 ÷ 300 = 5). There are also free paint calculators available online to assist with this calculation. Keep in mind that most homes will need two coats of paint.

How much exterior paint do I need calculator?

Multiply the perimeter of the home by the height. Tip: For a more accurate estimate, subtract doors and windows from your wall area calculation. An average window is 15 square feet and an average door is 20 square feet. If you have gables, multiply the width of the gable by its height, and divide by two.

How many gallons of paint do I need to paint the exterior of my house?

How Much Paint do You Need? Picture Guide – Exterior + Interior

House Size Body/Walls Total Gallons
1500 sq ft. 12 15
2500 sq ft. 18 22
3500 sq ft. 25 31
5000 sq ft. 35 43



How much paint do I need for 1800 sq ft exterior?

According to our paint estimator, 5 gallons of paint can cover as much as 1,800 square feet.

How much should it cost to paint the exterior of a 2000 square foot house?

The average cost to paint the exterior of a 2,000-square-foot home is about $5,200, but that number rises to the $5,000–$12,000 cost range for a three-story house. Regardless of the number of stories or the square footage of your home, average outdoor painting prices break down to $1–$4 per square foot.

How long does it take to paint a 2500 sq ft house exterior?

In most cases, you can prep, prime, and paint a 500 square foot side in two to three hours. A two to three person professional painting team can paint a 2,500 square foot house in one or two days and costs an average of $4,000. You can, without a doubt, do it yourself for much less.

What is the best time to paint house exterior?

Early summer and early fall usually offer up the best weather conditions, with minimal rain and minimal fluctuations in temperature from day to night. This will ensure the paint goes on smoothly and has the chance to dry and cure properly.