Selecting the correct primer or undercoat for your project
We produce a comprehensive range of colour-matched primers and undercoats, to ensure the beauty of your paint is matched by its performance.
Whether you are painting interior woodwork or exterior metalwork, Little Greene’s range of undercoats achieve full depth of colour and the most beautiful finish possible.
For further information on each product, browse our Technical Data Sheets.
How should I choose an undercoat paint?
Firstly, do I need to undercoat before painting?
It's essential to use the correct primers and undercoats to allow paint to do its job properly. Undercoat is often required to seal unpainted surfaces or prepare the surface for painting.
If you are transitioning from a dark to a light colour, the undercoat will help to obliterate the colour beneath. This will allow your chosen topcoat to achieve an unrivalled depth of colour.
What is the difference between primer & undercoat?
Both primers and undercoats prepare the surface to ensure a better finished result.
An undercoat prepares an even surface for painting. Painting a base layer ensures that your chosen colour can be achieved in fewer coats.
A primer produces a fully prepared substrate, to support your chosen finish. Primed surfaces are easier for paint to adhere to and also prevent seeping or bleeding between paint layers.
Which undercoat should I use?
Patchy or friable walls and new plaster, including skimmed walls and ceilings, are best prepared using our Wall Primer Sealer. This will take up the porosity of the surface and create a uniform base on which to paint. Use our wall sealer beneath any of our water-based emulsion, eggshell or masonry paints.
If your walls have been painted previously and are in a good condition, no separate undercoat is required. We recommend that you simply apply two coats of your chosen finish.
Preparing woodwork
New or resinous wood should always be sealed with a coat of our Aluminium Wood Primer. This will prevent any resins from bleeding through the topcoat of your chosen finish.
If your woodwork is sealed or previously painted, apply one coat of quick-drying Intelligent A.S.P. (All Surface Primer). The correct undercoat for wood will depend on your chosen topcoat and should be applied before two coats of eggshell or gloss finish.
Preparing metalwork
Previously primed or painted metalwork, in good condition, can be painted without further priming. However, it is good practice to rub down the surface with a medium grade sandpaper first. This will create a key for the topcoats.
New radiators are usually supplied primed. However, we recommend applying one coat of Intelligent A.S.P. (All Surface Primer), before finishing with two coats of your chosen topcoat. This may be eggshell or gloss, depending on your chosen finish.
Our undercoat paint finishes
Intelligent All Surface Primer (water-based)
Perfect for all interior and exterior surfaces, including woodwork, walls, ceilings, and primed metalwork.
Choose Intelligent All Surface Primer for all surfaces, from bare wood to suitably primed metals.
Primer and undercoat in one can.
Easy to Apply
Excellent adhesion
Prepares surfaces for the application of Matt, Eggshell and Gloss finishes.
Tinted to the same shade as your chosen topcoat to ensure full depth of colour.
Quick-drying: two-hour drying time.
Odourless
Matt, low sheen: 5-8%
Available in 1l and 2.5l tins.
Wall Primer Sealer (water-based)
Perfect for walls and ceilings.
Choose Wall Primer Sealer for new plaster, skimmed patch-repaired or friable surfaces.
Primer and sealer in one can.
Use this on interior and exterior walls and ceilings.
Surface preparation for Absolute Matt Emulsion, Intelligent Matt Emulsion, Intelligent Eggshell and Masonry Paint.
Tinted to the same shade as your chosen topcoat to ensure full depth of colour.
Environmentally-friendly formulation.
Quick-drying.
Odourless.
Available in 2.5l & 10l tins.
Aluminium Wood Primer (oil based)
Perfect for woodwork.
Use this on bare softwoods and hardwoods, both indoors and outdoors.
Very high-quality primer and stain-blocker in one can.
Seals and protects resinous and knotted woods.
Excellent penetration, flow and levelling providing ease of application.
Single colour available (metallic pink.)
Touch-dry in 4 hours, dry overnight.
Available in 1l and 2.5l tins.
Browse our full colour palette in undercoat paint finishes.
If you’re struggling with selecting shades or concerned about colour combinations, Colour Consultants can help you decorate your home with confidence.