Do You Have to Prime a Satin Wall?

Finish

• A wall that was previously covered in a paint with a sheen finish -- gloss, satin -- has a slick surface that is not conducive to new paint adhesion. The high gloss and semi-gloss paints have shinier, slicker surfaces, making them definite candidates for a paint primer before applying new paint. Satin finishes aren't quite as slick as glosses, but applying a primer will ensure that the fresh paint adheres well. A new coat of paint can flake if it is applied to a surface without a primer.

Imperfections

• Most previously painted walls require surface preparation before repainting. This typically involves filling small holes and cracks with dry wall mud or may require repairing larger, damaged areas with plaster. Applying primer over these restored areas acts as a neutralizer, ensuring the finish paint will absorb evenly on these surfaces, as well as the surrounding areas.

Dark Colors

• If your wall was painted with a darker color, -- red, black, brown, purple -- applying a coat of primer before your finish paint is highly recommended. Many times, previously painted dark colors tend to show through a freshly painted lighter color. Without a primer to hide the dark color, you may find yourself applying multiple coats of new paint before the dark colors becomeinvisible.

Stains

• Mildew, water damage and other intense stains are likely to bleed through freshly applied paint unless the finish paint is preceded by a stain-blocking primer. Some specialty primers are formulated to target a variety of stains, effectively sealing and blocking them from reappearing after new paint is applied. Consult a painting professional to determine, which type of primer works best for specific kinds of stains.