New Outside Trim....to Prime Or Not To Prime

Flikka

Hi guys,

I'll be doing some outside work for some wonderful clients next week. Last year they had their house built and the window guys installed that awful outdoor wood trim.....about an inch thick barely two inches wide, ugly chunky stuff.....but I see alot of it so I guess it's standard for outdoor trim. I read somewhere, maybe here, that even though it is factory primed that it is recommend to prime it again before painting. Is that right? I would like to prime it to make sure they have no problems with it, but would like some expert judgement before I sell it to the client.

Thanks
Mary

ModernStyle

prime it, it wont hurt it and it will put you and your customers at ease.
Stuff that comes pre-primed might as well be raw as far as I am concerned, I dont know whats on it, could be anything.
I usually use that as a selling point, HO's seem to love primer, to them it is a magic substance that makes everything better, and it kinda is. Plus you get to charge more on jobs you prime before painting and money is good.

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Teetorbilt

I'd hit it again just to be on the safe side. What I've seen from the manufacturers is just a light dusting sprayed on. I've been using BM's Penetrating Primer and liking it a lot, it's oil based.

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Brushslingers

Hey Flik... great book btw.... ya you can do it either way, most times as a selling point I explain that the primed stuff is powder coated most times and to save you a little money I can just paint it, however if your going to STAY in this house, prime it.

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Benn

lpp

Just had that discussion the other day with a HO about an exterior post that was "factory primed". I said we prime it..he said no need and didn't want to spend the extra money. A week later he is sitting around hoping none of his friends lean on it in fear of scratching off the topcoat.
I always try and sell applying primer to factory primed surfaces. Look at it as extra insurance.

slickshift

Some factory prime is total chalk dust
I've seen some wash off in the rain
def. prime

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

Forry

Prime it. If you want to do it well, back prime before installing, and prime your cuts.

KellyPainting

Prime time.

Workaholic

I am in agreement with everyone else, never trust a factory prime job, put you and your client at ease, prime prime prime.

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Sean

DelW

Exactly, never trust the factory prime, I don't trust it on trim or doors.

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Da Vinci

Totally agree with everyone. Factory prime is almost useless- except it prevents needing 2 coats primer over new wood to help cover. Prime, prime,prime. Zinsser 123 or Oil Based penetrating primer with penetrol added for good measure.

Bay Area Painting Company

Flikka

Thank-you all.

They really are a wonderful couple and were fun to work with last year even in the heat (they were their own GC's) of construction. They are having an housewarming/appreciation party in Aug. with all their friends and all the trades that were involved so I want everthing it be as perfect as possible.

Cheers
Mary