Heads up, priming new drywall might not work as expected

I just primed a new drywall patch in my living room and it didn't stick well, even though I cleaned the surface. In my experience, this can lead to paint peeling later on. What's the right prep step to make sure primer holds on new drywall?

5 comments

5 Comments

mark43621d ago

Huh, I've never sanded new drywall before priming... and I've never had peeling problems either. I just use a good quality primer meant for fresh drywall, like PVA primer, and it soaks right in and sticks fine. Maybe it depends on the specific drywall brand or the primer you're using?

milarodriguez1mo ago

That factory finish on new drywall is too smooth for primer to grab. You gotta lightly sand it first with 120-grit paper to rough up the surface.

skyler_jackson271mo ago

Calling it "too smooth for primer to grab" seems over the top. I've done plenty of walls without sanding first and never had issues. It might just be an extra step that isn't always needed.

michaeltorres1mo ago

Wait, seriously? Is that extra step really needed?

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mark_carr721d ago

I read a paint manufacturer's guide last year that said factory-sealed drywall has a sheen that can cause adhesion problems. They recommended a quick scuff sand with 150-grit, not even to remove material, just to break the gloss. In my experience, skipping it is a gamble that might not show problems until the paint starts wearing down. It only takes a few minutes per sheet with a sanding pole, so it's cheap insurance against having to redo the whole job later.