How To Choose Wall Primers For Your Walls
Great paint finishes always start with well prepared surfaces. When walls are properly prepared, paint applies more evenly, looks better under all lighting conditions, and remains durable for much longer.
In real projects, walls are rarely uniform. They often combine gypsum, concrete, repaired areas, and existing coatings, each with different surface properties. Professional coating systems take this into account and use the right type of primer for each situation instead of relying on a single universal solution.
This is exactly why PROFITEC offers a complete range of professional primers for different tasks. Each one is designed to solve a specific type of surface condition and to create the ideal base for the final paint.
A simple way to choose the right primer
You can usually choose the correct primer by answering three questions in this order.
- Is the surface weak, dusty, chalky, or very absorbent
- If not, is the surface visually uneven or patchy
- If not, is the surface smooth or difficult for paint to grip
If the answer to the first question is yes, you need consolidation. If the answer to the second question is yes, you need surface perfection. If the answer to the third question is yes, you need adhesion support.
Your Decision Table:
| Surface condition | What the surface needs | Recommended product |
|---|---|---|
| Weak, dusty, chalky, or highly absorbent | Deep stabilisation and absorbency control | PROFITEC P805 Grundierkonzentrat 1:7 |
| Sound but visually uneven or patchy | Smoothing and visual equalisation | PROFITEC P817 4in1 Primer |
| Smooth, dense, or difficult to coat | Adhesion improvement | PROFITEC P818 Grundierfarbe |
Understanding the three main surface types
In practice, most wall surfaces fall into one of three categories. Some surfaces are weak, dusty, or highly absorbent and need to be stabilised. Others are structurally sound but visually uneven and need to be evened out. And some surfaces are smooth or dense and need additional adhesion support before painting.
PROFITEC P805 Grundierkonzentrat 1:7 for weak or highly absorbent surfaces
PROFITEC P805 Grundierkonzentrat 1:7 is a deep penetrating concentrate designed to stabilise and consolidate weak substrates. It penetrates into the surface, binds loose particles, and regulates absorbency. The result is a solid, evenly absorbent base that allows subsequent coatings to perform properly.
It is typically used on mineral surfaces, old plasters, concrete, aerated concrete, and slightly chalking but still stable old paints. On such surfaces, using paint without prior consolidation often leads to uneven drying, reduced durability, and inconsistent results.
PROFITEC P817 4in1 Primer for smooth even finishes
PROFITEC P817 4in1 Primer is designed for surfaces that are technically sound but not visually perfect. This is common in interiors where walls include repaired areas, different substrates, or older coatings that create slight differences in texture and absorbency.
By equalising colour and absorbency and slightly filling the surface, P817 creates an extremely uniform base for the finish coat. This is especially important in modern interiors, where strong or grazing light can make even small imperfections visible.
PROFITEC P818 Grundierfarbe for reliable adhesion on difficult surfaces
PROFITEC P818 Grundierfarbe is a bonding primer designed for surfaces where standard paints do not adhere reliably. This includes dense, smooth mineral substrates and many existing coatings.
Instead of penetrating deeply or levelling the surface, P818 creates a strong bonding bridge between the substrate and the new coating system. This ensures secure adhesion and significantly reduces the risk of peeling or flaking.
Comparison of the three PROFITEC primers
| Feature | P805 Grundierkonzentrat 1:7 | P817 4in1 Primer | P818 Grundierfarbe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Stabilises and consolidates weak substrates | Smooths and evens out the surface | Improves adhesion on difficult surfaces |
| Works mainly | Inside the substrate | On the surface appearance | At the bonding interface |
| Typical problem solved | Dusty, chalky, highly absorbent surfaces | Patchy or visually uneven walls | Smooth or low grip substrates |
Using more than one step on demanding projects
On higher end or renovation projects, these steps are sometimes combined. A weak surface may first be consolidated with PROFITEC P805 Grundierkonzentrat 1:7 and then visually perfected with PROFITEC P817 4in1 Primer before the final paint is applied.
Before choosing a paint, it is always worth starting with one simple question. What does this surface need.
Answering that correctly is the foundation of a finish that not only looks good on the first day, but continues to look good for many years.
