Primer or adhesive

Primer vs. bonding primer: what are the differences?

When preparing a surface before painting, we often hear about primer or bonding primer. Two products intended for preparation… but which do not have the same role at all. To avoid mistakes and ensure an impeccable result, here is what you really need to remember.

What is a primer?

A primer (often called an "undercoat") is designed to regulate the porosity of a surface.
Its main objective is to create a stable and uniform base before the finishing coat of paint.

It allows you to:

  • Seal surfaces: prevent the wall from absorbing too much paint.

  • Uniformize the surface: reduce absorption differences between repaired areas, old coats, or varied materials.

  • Ensure a more homogeneous finish of the final paint.

  • We therefore use a primer when the surface is porous: plaster, drywall, filler, repaired walls…

What is a bonding primer?

A bonding primer, on the other hand, is intended to make paint adhere to surfaces that do not naturally "grip."

It serves to:

  • Create a mechanical bond on smooth or non-porous surfaces.

  • Allow painting on difficult materials such as tile, melamine, PVC, non-ferrous metal, old glossy paints…

  • Avoid peeling or blistering that occurs when the finish does not adhere correctly.

We choose a bonding primer when the surface is not absorbent, but on the contrary, too smooth.

What about our Bleu Majorelle?

At Olona Peinture, we offer a product specially designed to optimize the application of this deep and demanding shade.
This unique product acts as both a standard primer and a bonding primer, which guarantees a perfect base before applying the Bleu Majorelle.

A single product, two essential actions… and an impeccable result.