No if you plan on going to specific height and stop right there all the way around. You will create a paint seam and it might take a few coats to make it less noticeable.

Can you prime just part of a wall?

This process is called “spot priming.” If you already have primer, simply use a little primer on those patch areas. It is not necessary to prime the whole wall if you’re using the same or similar color.

Do I have to cover entire wall with primer paint?





The simple answer is that primer is not always necessary, so it’s possible to save money by omitting it. However, in many cases primer will actually save you money because it reduces the number of more expensive topcoats you will need to get beautiful, lasting results.

Can you touch up paint without painting whole wall?

If the damage to walls is small and contained or the paint is less than a year old, you should be able to just touch up the small area rather than repainting the whole wall. Small flaws include: Nicks, scratches, dings, chips, scuffs, or marks. Flaws that are not highly visible.

Can you primer over a painted wall?

You can use a primer to thoroughly cover the old color, then apply 1 or 2 coats of the new paint. Paint & primer in one paints are a newer option, which could be ideal for your situation and even shorten the project.

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.

What should a wall look like after primer?





It should not have streaks, drip lines, or large variations in coverage. An uneven or streaky coat of primer may result in an uneven paint job. Primer should have an even, uniform appearance. There should not be streaks, drips, or uneven coloration to your primer coat.

What happens if you prime over paint?

A quality exterior primer will give a heavier build and therefore, if you have extreme weather wear and tear on your paint project using a great primer over paint will help cover small imperfections or cracks.

What happens when you put primer over paint?

Oil-based paint will not adhere to your existing latex paint layer, so you need to create a middleman, of sorts. A thoroughly applied (2 coats is a good idea) primer will allow your new paint to bond to a new layer, which is specifically formulated to bond with your new paint.

How do you paint a wall that is already painted?

How To Repaint A Wall

  1. Step 1: Remove any paint chips or old paint that’s bubbled using a scraper and sandpaper.
  2. Step 2: Repair any holes with putty. …
  3. Step 3: Gently sand over any surfaces you’ve repaired.
  4. Step 4: Apply primer and allow to dry.
  5. Step 5: Apply two coats of paint.


How well do you need to prime a wall?

Generally, one to two coats of primer will suffice for painting interior walls, but how many you’ll need depends on the wall material, the paint color, and the type of primer used. Keep reading for the magic number of primer coats for all types of interior painting projects.

Does primer have to be uniform?

Depending on how strong or bold the previous color is, it may be necessary to apply more than one coat of primer. However, it is not necessary to over apply the primer with so many coats. As long as the primer applies uniformly over the previous color, then one or two coats should be sufficient.

Is it necessary to sand between coats of primer?



Actually, sanding between coats of primer is pointless. Once primer is dry, you should sand the primer before moving on to the basecoat color. Sanding between coats of primer will just extend how long it takes to complete the phase, while sanding at the end of the primer step yields the same results.

Do I need two coats of paint if I use primer?

You will want to use 2-3 coats of primer to ensure there is a good bond between the new paint and the wall, and also to cover up any previous colors, especially if they are red, orange, or a strange outdated color. In short, you will typically need 2 coats of primer for most painting projects.

Do you sand after priming walls?

Prime the walls, then sand again
Sanding after priming is a critical step that most beginners skip. But sanding before painting removes paper fuzz and lumps that will show through your paint job. This is also the time to take care of other imperfections by filling them with joint compound.

How long after priming Can I sand?

1 hour



For best results, allow to Primer to dry for 1 hour before dry sanding. Test in an inconspicuous area to be sure Primer is dry enough for sanding. Block sand the area using 320-400 grit sandpaper.

What grit should I sand before primer?

When looking to sand a surface before applying primer, the best grit sandpaper to use is 320 to 400. Both these grits can effectively remove the existing primer and help you flatten the surface.

Will primer fill in scratches?

Primer is the final step in filling small imperfections and light sand scratches. It has some limitations though. If you put it on thicker than Recommended, it will shrink later. The sand scratches that you thought were filled will show up in your finished paint job.