How to choose the best combination of filler, primer and topcoat?

Choosing the right coating system saves time and guarantees the best result – here are some points to consider when planning your project.

With its high filling and excellent levelling properties, filler prepares the substrate for the primer and topcoat. It not only contributes to the final appearance, but also improves the mechanical properties of the paint system as a whole, especially its resistance to chipping.

Things to consider when choosing a filler

• Surfaces that are critically positioned in regards to light, require special attention to filler and levelling, as paint doesn't hide any errors. Also, if the top coat is high-gloss, it will show all the defects of the surface: the final layer has to be free of any scratches or sanding marks. In these cases, it is best to go with a fine filler. 
• If you are working on surfaces that don't require a super-fine finish, such as fire escapes or corridors with no natural light, it is less important to have a polished appearance – in these cases a coarser filler will do the job. 
• Quick-drying fillers and multi-purpose products can save you plenty of time. New types of fillers provide a thick film in one application and still dry fast. For example, ultra-light filler Tikkurila Hole-in-1 [replace with local brand name or similar product] is a good product for holes, joints and cracks on walls and ceilings in dry interior premises.

Things to consider when choosing a primer 

• If you are renovating an interior site with stains and odors, choose a high-performance acrylic insulating and stain blocking primer, such as Tikkurila Akrostop [replace with local brand name or similar product] that prevents bleeding caused by nicotine, soot and water staining. 
• If you are working with new drywall, the surface is likely to have some minor imperfections, such as ridges and rough spots. The solution is to choose a high-build drywall primer-sealer that will even out imperfections. Tikkurila Optiva Primer [replace with local brand name or similar product], for example, is ideal for basing out surfaces in new construction, office, retail, leisure, and home projects. 
• A binding, solvent-borne primer is required for porous, absorbent or brittle substrates that are calcareous or sandy. In addition, the use of a solvent-borne primer is necessary on water-sensitive substrates. 
• For drastic paint color changes, tint your primer gray or a color similar to your topcoat to reduce the number of coats you need to get good results. All primers can't be tinted darker colors, so make sure you choose one that can or choose a shade that is as close as possible to the topcoat.

Things to consider when choosing a topcoat

• Gloss-level is essentially an aesthetic attribute, but it also has technical implications and affects durability. Kitchens, corridors and entrance halls are high-traffic environments, so it is important to choose a product suitable for repeated cleaning, such as Tikkurila Luja semi-gloss 40 [replace with local brand name or similar product]. 
• Bathrooms and wet areas need special protection from steam and moisture. Tikkurila Luja [replace with local brand name or similar product], for instance, contains an anti-mold agent and is suitable for spaces, in which high wash and wear resistance is required. The product also has an approval for indirect contact in food industry (Finnish Food Act 23/2006). Always follow paint producer recommendations when choosing paints that need to have more durability and allow surfaces to be easily cleaned. 
• For bedrooms a deep matt paint is the best, as the room is normally not heavily used and walls don’t need cleaning very often. For example, Tikkurila Harmony (full-matt) and Joker (matt with silky finish) [replace with local brand names or similar products] are ecological, M1-certified matt paints for painting walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms and children’s rooms, as well as other similar dry spaces.

General rules of thumb 

• Always use different combinations for dry rooms and wet rooms. There are special fillers, primers and paints for gypsum board, concrete and plaster surfaces in humid interior premises, so make sure to choose the right combo for bathrooms and other wet rooms. 
• Paint according to need. Sometimes a surface needs only one coat of paint as opposed to a combination of primer, filler and top coat. If the wall is in good condition (no chipping or peeling) and the old color is of a similar shade than the new one, one coat may suffice. 

• Combining products from the same product family gives the best result, as the products and their combinations have been extensively tested for optimal performance. So rather than using random products together, rely on recommended, tested product combinations. 

  Trust your own expertise in combining products, but don't be afraid to try new products and coating systems – they might make your job easier!