Why Does New Drywall Need Primer?

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Pete Fazio | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 11:00 AM ET

When you install fresh drywall, it's tempting to jump straight to painting. After all, fresh surfaces are a blank canvas, right? Uh, not quite. Before that first coat goes on, primer is a must. Skipping primer can lead to uneven finishes, dull colors, and even peeling down the line. It preps your surface, helps the paint stick, and creates a smooth, uniform finish. Without it, your paint job may not stand the test of time.

Why Primer Prepares New Drywall

New unfinished drywall may look smooth, but its porous surface is far from ready for actual paint. The material is made of two key parts: the drywall paper and the drywall mud joints that fills seams and covers screws. These two components absorb a paint coating differently, creating an uneven look if you skip primer. Primer helps by sealing the entire surface, so your paint gets proper adhesion and goes on smoothly and evenly.

It also reduces how much paint you’ll need. Raw drywall is porous, which means it can soak up color coats like a sponge. Without primer, you'd likely end up applying additional coats of paint to get full coverage or to get rid of a weird paint sheen. Primer locks in the surface, so you use less coats and save time in the process.

Plus, primer helps hide imperfections. Even if you sanded the wall perfectly, there may still be slight flaws. Primer helps mask these minor issues, so the finished product looks polished.

What happens if you skip primer?

Uneven paint sheen (some spots might look darker or shinier than others)
More coats of paint needed to get full wall coverage
Uneven paint adhesion (peeling or chipping over time)
Difficulty achieving the true paint color you want
Visible seams, dry patches, or imperfections

Types of Primer for New Drywall

Not all primer products are the same, so it’s important to choose the right one for your painting project.

Drywall Primer-Sealers: These are designed specifically for new drywall. They seal the surface while creating a smooth base for color coats.
Multi-Purpose Primers: These work as a prime coat for multiple surfaces, but may not offer the same level of sealing as a dedicated drywall primer.

If you're finishing a room with high humidity—like a bathroom or kitchen—consider a moisture-resistant primer. This can help protect your walls from water damage down the line.

FAQ

Can I paint directly over drywall if it’s pre-primed?

Pre-primed drywall still benefits from a single coat of primer. The factory-applied primer is a good base but may not fully seal the surface or cover seams. Adding a layer of primer on the drywall before painting helps get that professional finish.

What’s the difference between primer and paint-and-primer-in-one?

Paint-and-primer-in-one products combine two steps, but they’re not always the best to prime drywall that's new. These products work better on previously painted surfaces. New unpainted drywall typically needs a dedicated drywall primer to seal the surface properly. Skipping this step may lead to uneven results.

Can I just use cheap paint or ceiling paint as a prep coat instead of primer?

You COULD... but why? Proper preparation doesn't mean skimping on the priming step by using shortcuts. You might just end up spending more in the long run by doing extra coats of finish. Plus, primer is usually cheaper than paint and has excellent adhesion, so take the long way and do it right.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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