sandra_wood•1mo agoProlific Poster

Serious question, why do so many people skip the primer step on interior trim?

I keep seeing folks online just slapping paint right onto bare wood or old stained trim, then they're shocked when it peels in a year. I learned the hard way on my own kitchen project that a good oil-based primer, like Kilz Original, is the only thing that sticks to that glossy surface. What's your go-to method for trim that actually lasts?

4 comments

4 Comments

andrewreed1mo ago

Yeah, I learned that the hard way too with Kilz.

jessica1301mo ago

Tell me about it, I made that exact mistake on my first house! I painted over old varnished trim without primer and it was a total mess within months. Now I always scrub the trim with a deglosser first, then use a good bonding primer. It adds a step but saves so much headache later.

iris9271mo ago

Actually, deglosser isn't always needed if you use the right primer. A good bonding primer like Stix or Insl-X will stick right to that glossy varnish. I just sand it lightly to scuff the surface, wipe off the dust, and prime. Saves a step and works great.

hollyl254d ago

Ugh this is so true and it's like a bigger thing about skipping steps, lol. People want the fast result without the boring prep work, whether it's painting trim or like, putting together furniture without reading the directions. They see the final look online and just jump to the fun part. But that foundation step, like a good primer, is what makes everything else actually hold up. It's a lesson I keep learning the hard way in all kinds of projects.