How can I prevent the old paint from showing through my new paint?
Buying a dream house in Mumbai was a huge milestone for Akash — almost all his life savings went into it. Living in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world, every square foot came with a steep price tag. So, when he finally got the keys, Akash was excited to make this house beautiful with a fresh coat of paint.
But being his first renovation, Akash made the rookie mistake of picking a substandard primer in paint. He thought any primer would do it, so he bought a cheap white primer from a local store. After a few days of painting, to his dismay, the old paint color was still very visible on every wall. The bright, clean look he had imagined was nowhere to be found. The walls had patches of the previous darker shades sneaking through the new paint. Akash felt dejected and a bit overwhelmed.
Frustrated, he reached out to his friend, Sneha, who had recently finished painting her home. She listened patiently and then shared a valuable tip that changed everything.
Sneha recommended that Akash try a better-quality interior wall primer. She specifically mentioned Birla White Activcoat Interior Primer, a product she had used that gave her flawless results without the old colour bleeding through. She explained how this primer paint was different from the cheap ones he had tried — it was white cement-based and had much better opacity.
Intrigued but skeptical, Akash visited the store and picked up a litre of Birla White Activcoat, hoping this time it would work. Since the walls were already painted unevenly, he sanded the surface lightly as advised and cleaned off the dust. He mixed the primer with water in a 1:1 ratio and applied it with a roller over the entire interior. The difference was immediately noticeable. The primer gave a smooth, thick white base that blocked the old colours perfectly.
After waiting for it to dry for a few hours, Akash applied two coats of topcoat paint over it. The colours popped like never before, vibrant and true to the shade on the paint can. No old colour shadows, no patchiness. The walls finally looked fresh and flawless. It literally felt like a weight was lifted off Akash’s chest, knowing he had made the right choice this time.
Advantages of Using Primer in Paint
From Akash’s experience, using a high-quality primer in paint like Birla White Activcoat does more than just hide old colours. Here are some advantages that helped him get the best results:
- Improves appearance of topcoat: A good primer creates a smooth, even base that helps the topcoat paint spread uniformly and look richer in colour.
- Does not require pre-wetting or curing with water: Unlike some traditional primers, Birla White Activcoat can be applied directly after surface preparation without extra steps, making the process faster.
- Provides excellent adhesion to topcoat emulsions: The primer ensures the new paint sticks well to the wall surface, reducing the chances of peeling or flaking over time.
- Prevents peeling off topcoat emulsions: By creating a stable base layer, it prevents the topcoat from peeling, which would otherwise happen if the old paint or surface was poorly prepared.
How Akash Applied the Primer Correctly
Akash followed these steps to make sure the old paint colour didn’t peek through again:
- Surface preparation: He sanded the walls gently with fine emery paper to remove loose paint and dust, ensuring a clean and slightly rough surface for better grip.
- Mixing primer: He mixed Birla White Activcoat Interior primer paint with water in a 1:1 ratio as instructed on the pack.
- Putty application: Once dry, he applied two coats of Birla White wall putty to smoothen any surface irregularities, letting it dry completely.
- Applying the first coat: Using a brush and roller, he spread a uniform single coat over the walls and waited 3-4 hours for it to dry.
- Second coat of primer: He applied a second coat of the primer and let it dry thoroughly before starting the topcoat painting.
- Topcoat painting: Finally, he applied the topcoat emulsion paint in his desired colour. The finish was flawless — no trace of the previous painting.
Final Thoughts on Akash’s Renovation Journey
Renovating a home, especially in a high-cost city like Mumbai, is already a challenging and expensive endeavor. Avoid the frustration Akash faced by using the right materials from the start. Choosing the Birla White Activcoat Interior primer made all the difference between disappointment and pride in a newly painted home.
If the old paint colour is a concern, remember that a primer is not just a preparatory step, but a critical layer that defines the final look and durability of your paint job. Whether white primer, primer paint, or interior wall primer, do not compromise quality. The walls — and the wallet — will thank you in the long run.
For more, visit https://www.birlawhite.com/
