Is it necessary to use a primer to before covering a semi-gloss latex paint with a flat latex paint?

Questions & AnswersCategory: Paint PrimersIs it necessary to use a primer to before covering a semi-gloss latex paint with a flat latex paint?
Anonymous asked 10 years ago

I recently moved out of my apartment. I had painted the bedroom a light shade of green that could easily be covered with 1 layer of paint by the apartments after I moved out. They are charging me the cost of repainting because they said they had to use a primer since I had used a semi-gloss paint and they use flat. Is this true?

2 Answers
Crowder Painting answered.

A primer is only needed if you used an oil base and they use latex. Latex won't stick to oil without a primer.

It is possible they needed two coats because the first coat slid around a little when applied over the slick semi-gloss, this is also called a prime coat. This would cause insufficient coverage on the first coat. It wouldn't affect adhesion of the first coat.

MagicDave answered.

If the painter who paints the wall knows what he's doing, a primer is really not required… but careful rolling is required and to be sure a "wash coat" using the finish coat paint, could be applied first, which would act as a primer… then when dry (1hr) a finish coat carefully rolled will do the trick… all of this assumes that a High Quality Paint is being used (often not the case with apt repainting)…