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You may be stuck with the walls and ceilings inside your home, but you're not doomed to look at the current finish. A new coat of paint will freshen the style and feel of your home interior as long as it's painted properly. Blotchy, uneven paint and stains bleeding through the color never looks good, after all. Using a primer before you paint may help ensure the appearance you desire. It's not always needed, however. Knowing what to use and when will allow you to make the best of your paint.

When NOT To Use Primers

Realistically, it never hurts to use a primer. At least it doesn't hurt the wall or ceiling, but it does hurt your pocketbook. If you're on a budget the last thing you want is to spend more than you have to. Using primers when they aren't needed will lead to that. However, not using a primer when it's needed is just as costly.

How can you know when to use a primer and when not to? It's fairly simple: Don't use primer whenever you are painting an already painted wall, using the same type of paint (oil-based over oil-based, for instance), and the paint is similar in color (so the new paint covers the old well), and the wall is in good shape. That's the short answer, and in many cases, the only answer you need. Using a primer in these circumstances means you're needlessly painting on money.

When Is Primer Needed?

A quality primer is critical in other situations. A primer's main objective is to seal the surface of the item getting painted. This allows you to use less paint and affects the final appearance as well. Consider using primers when:

• Covering New Drywall: Drywall is pretty absorbent. Even worse, drywall seams and fastener locations are also absorbent, but differently than the drywall itself. Unless you ap...

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... peel, bubble or develop mildew. A vapor barrier primer combats the problem by blocking the moisture from passing through the wall. Use a stain-blocking primer to stop mildew stains from bleeding through the paint and a paint designed to resist mildew for best results.

Choosing Quality Primers

Knowing when to use a primer is half the battle. The other half is selecting the specific primer. Beyond whether it's oil-based or water, if it's stain-blocking or wall-protecting, you want to know that it will work properly. Part of it is knowing the surface you are priming, and some of it is applying it correctly. Read the product instructions and specifications to ensure you make an informed choice. Also, keep in mind that saving money is good as long as you don't sacrifice quality. Stick with well-known brand names and avoid the bargain products – too often, they're not.