House painting
Why primer matters, and which primer for wall, metal and wood
What happens without primer
- Patchy colour, because plaster and putty absorb paint unevenly
- More paint used to reach full colour
- Peeling on new plaster as alkali attacks the film
- Rust spreading under enamel on metal
Primer by surface
| Surface | Primer type |
|---|---|
| New plaster, putty, cement walls | Cement primer |
| Iron gates, grills, shutters | Metal primer (anti-corrosive) |
| Bare wood doors and frames | Wood primer |
| Damp-prone walls | Damp-resistant primer |
Applying it right
Apply primer on a clean, dry surface, thinned as the data sheet says. Let it dry fully before putty or paint. On metal, prime the same day you remove rust, before fresh rust forms in Gwalior’s morning dew.
Before the painter starts: a short checklist
- Fix leaks and damp first; paint will not stop water coming through a wall
- Scrape loose and flaking paint; sand glossy patches so the new coat grips
- Fill cracks, then prime repaired spots and any bare plaster
- Use putty only where the wall is uneven, and sand it smooth
- Cover floors and furniture; remove switch plates and fittings
- Note the shade code of every tin, so a later top-up matches
Questions to ask your painter before work starts
- Which walls need scraping, primer or putty, and which do not?
- How many coats of each product are included in the price?
- Who supplies material, and will you show me the sealed tins and shade codes?
- How will furniture, floors and fittings be protected?
- How many days will the job take, and how long between coats?
Berger products that suit this job
| Product | Range | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Berger Walmasta Exterior Interior Primer | Economy | Walmasta Exterior Interior Primer is a value primer for both inside and outside walls. |
| Berger BP Cement Primer (WT) | Economy | BP Cement Primer (WT) is a water-thinned acrylic primer with low smell. |
| Berger Butterfly AC Metal Primer RO | Economy | Butterfly AC Metal Primer RO is a red oxide primer for iron and steel. |
| Berger Parrot Wood Primer | Economy | Parrot Wood Primer is a white alkyd primer for wood. |
Buying Berger outside Gwalior city
PT Enterprises supplies more than 70 Berger dealers across the Gwalior region, so the products in this guide are available in Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Datia, Guna, Ashoknagar. Call or WhatsApp +91 77559 81105 and we will tell you the nearest dealer and check stock.
Useful next steps
- Free site visit and estimate in Gwalior
- Painting service in Gwalior
- Colour consultation
- Our Berger DOCO store in Gwalior
Frequently asked questions
Can I use wall primer on wood?
No. Use the primer made for the surface.
Is primer needed on a repaint?
On sound paint in a similar colour, often not. On bare, repaired or chalky areas, yes.
Do you stock all these primers?
Yes, at our Gwalior store and through our dealers.
About this guide: written by the team at PT Enterprises, the authorised Berger Paints distributor for the Gwalior region, which supplies dealers in eight districts and runs a Berger DOCO store in Gwalior. Product details follow Berger’s published data sheets; check the data sheet of your exact product for coverage, coats and drying time.
