Painting your house can be a challenging task, especially if it comes out looking streaky. This can be very frustrating because even after cleaning it off with a good remover, there will still be some left behind, making your walls look bad.
Why does this happen? Some of the reasons why this happens include using cheap paints and not preparing the paint correctly before painting. In addition, improper painting techniques also cause streaks in paint. Poor weather conditions such as too much wind can cause the paint to dry unevenly, causing streaks in your work.
This article explains everything you need to know about primer-looking streaky and what you can do about it. Let’s get started!
Is Primer Supposed to Look Streaky?
Well, primer isn’t supposed to look streaky unless your primer coat is not perfect. Primer is like an adhesive as it takes old paint and attaches to the surface. However, it is not supposed to provide any coverage over the surface itself. If you buy poor-quality primer, then yes, it will look like crap, and that’s why people go for multiple coats of high-quality products to avoid this issue.
If you apply primer correctly, your topcoats will have a good bond to the surface. This means they will look nice and will last for years. But if your primer is coming out streaky, then you are simply wasting your time.
What Could Make Your Primer Look Streaky?
The most common reason why your primer may look streaky is how you apply it. You may be using a color that’s not proper or formula for the task at hand, you could be applying it too thick or not thinning it enough. In general, you’re going to have a hard time getting a smooth look on your final coat if your primer isn’t properly applied and mixed first.
Another reason that can make your primer look streaky is using improper paint techniques. If you’re not careful with how you use your roller, you might end up with bumps or paint blobs on your wall. You can also have issues if you’re not taping properly.
How to Make Sure That Your Primer Doesn’t Look Streaky
When applying the primer, it is vital that you keep an eye out for areas where there are any patches showing through. If you find anything, don’t be afraid to apply an extra layer of primer. Put your roller on the wall, then work in that little section at a time.
Doing this will spread the paint evenly, making the paint go up and down the walls smoothly. As a painter, your job should be more of a spreader and not an applier. If you leave clumps of thick paint all over your house, follow with sanding before painting.
Once you’re done applying the primer, it is important that you let it properly dry before you can paint on your topcoat. If not, there are going to be areas with streaks showing through when your topcoat dries. Before you start painting, make sure you learn the proper brush and roller techniques. Before you start painting, make sure you learn the proper brush and roller techniques.
To ensure that your primer isn’t streaky, ensure that your rooms are properly ventilated before applying the primer to avoid the issue of paint giving off toxic fumes. It’s also wise to apply a coat of primer in a slightly bigger area than where you need to apply it just so that air can get into all corners.
How Do You Know Your House Needs Two Coats of Primer?
The surface doesn’t look smooth after the first coat dries, especially if it’s showing signs of peeling. You can see that there are still areas that didn’t get covered with the first coat of paint, usually, it’s the darker surface in rooms with insufficient lighting.
Also, you should apply a second coat if your initial primer application happened in an extremely humid climate because the humidity in the air will cause it to smudge off easily. If you’re also rehabbing an old house, it’s essential to add two coats to ensure your walls become smooth and more solid for the new paint color.
Do You Need to Use Both Brush Strokes and Roller Lines?
This depends on the paint you used. Roller lines might not dry evenly on some matte paints, but if you’re using a flat or eggshell finish, brush strokes will go away after rolling it with a roller. Remember that using the brush too much can also make your primer look streaky.
Use the brush to cut in and roller to cover the sections of your wall. And if your brush and roller meet, make sure you blend them to ensure they don’t look like different paint colors. If you don’t blend them, you will get an obvious line between brush and roller lines on your wall.
The best way to avoid this is by using both at the same time. Do the sections where you need brush strokes with a small foam brush, then use your roller to cover it right after. This prevents the paint from drying before you can apply it all over the section.
Conclusion
Now you understand how your primer is supposed to look. Remember that priming is very important, but it’s not the finished coat. If your primer looks streaky then it’s definitely not perfect. Therefore, take your time on the final coat so that you get a perfect job.
