Miniroller

Figure I'll ask the pros because the pros know. I just finished taping and mudding a 12x10 room. After I sand I'm going to prime it with Ben Moore Super-Hide flat paint. This is what I've always done on previous drywall jobs I have completed. A friend of the HO told the HO I should only use a primer on raw drywall. I told told the HO this is how I've always done this and this is how I priced the job (I have lots of leftover Super-Hide around).

I know the customer is always right but is a friend of the customer always right?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Davey

In my experience, the flat ceiling type paint is an acceptable primer. The goal of drywall primer is not to 'hide' anything but to equalize the absorption rates of the drywall and the gypsum mud and prepare the surface for the final coats of paint. The brand usually does not matter but with Benjamin Moore you won't go wrong.

Primer tends to raise the grain of the paper a bit more, which may require a bit of sanding in some spots before the final coats.
If you are trying to acheive a #5 fiinish, CGC sells a product called 'TUFF HIDE' which is a primer with a high gypsum content. It is sprayed on just like paint.
p.s. freinds of the owner are usually a pain in the you-know-what!

CapeTaper

Hi Miniroller,
Ben Moore Super Hide is fine for priming drywall. I sed it for years before switching to SW Builders Solution, or SW MasterHide when level 5 is not needed. Both are superior to SuperHide, IMO,but the Ben Moore is perfectly acceptable. As for the HO's friend, ask if he or she wants to do the paint work in exchange for a small token amount taken off the final invoice. That usually shuts them up. If the customer starts with that " I have a friend that said......." stuff when I start a bid, I usually pass on the job.
Hey, where are you on the Cape? I'm Hyannis area.
Good Luck.
CapeTaper

Miniroller

Thanks for the tip on SW, I will try that next time i do drywall. I was kind of scared that all this time I've been doing it incorrectly by not using "primer." I was going to offer the HO's friend a free lunch; i make a mean knuckle sandwich.

CapeTaper I'm in Lower Cape area. I try not to do new construction drywall too much- it's something I can't even come close to competing with "bigger" companies pricewise at least. Many times I get offered and complete lots of smaller jobs, a bedroom here, bathroom there, and many ceilings and repairs. I do top quality drywall work and skim coating and it is a part of my business I am proud of. Good luck to you CapeTaper.

747

Cape cod isn't that where slickshift makes his home?

steve-in-kville

Just my experience... I keep a 5'er of SW Pro-Block on hand. I think its their heaviest primer. Stuff works great as an all-around primer/sealer. I know SW makes a primer just for new drywall, but who wants to stock three different primers when one will do it all?

steve

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DPainting

Devoe has an excellent primer for new drywall/compound mix repairs. It leaves an even flat white finish. Great coverage.