Primer? What's that? what is the purpose of ?

Question

I'm reading some magazines and stuff in internet about painting, it's says about primer, what's a primer? why do i need to use primer?

Answer 1

Primer is a coating that goes on the wall (or whatever you are painting) in order to "prime" it (or get it ready) for painting.  Essentially, it makes the surface both textured and sealed ideally for painting.  The benefits of primer are that it evens the surface of the wall (or object) to be painted, so the paint goes on with a smooth finish, and there will be less imperfections in the finished product.  Also, you will need to use less paint in many cases (drywall is the best example of this).  Because drywall is porous, it would soak up a TON of paint into itself if you painted without a primer.  You'd be wasting paint (and primer is definitely cheaper than paint).  Another benefit is that primer is specially made to bind the paint to the wall, and you will have a stronger bond, less likely to peel or chip or suffer over the years from regular wears and tears.  Make sure to get the right primer -- there are different kinds made for different surfaces (drywall primer, wood primer, etc.).  Primer rolls on just like paint, looks pretty much like paint.  Oh, and you can even get the store (Home Depot, Lowes, whatever) to tint the paint for you to match the paint you'll be putting over it.  This could save you extra coats in the long-run.  Don't skip the primer, you'll definitely regret it!  

Answer 2

Primer just makes sure that the paint will stick, and that nothing underneath will show through.

It helps the paint not chip or come out with un-even colors. It's definitely a must.