What’s the Difference Between Paint vs. Primer?

by Hoover Paint September 23, 2026

Paint and primer serve two very different purposes in home improvement projects, and you need both to cover a surface effectively. At Hoover Paint, we specialize in Benjamin Moore paints and primers, helping you achieve the best possible coverage.

An image of a homeowner wearing blue gloves applying paint primer around a light switch

Knowing the purpose of both products and how to use them effectively is important for every paint job, and our expert paint store team can help guide you.

What’s the Purpose of Primer?

It may seem like paint primer is just an extra step or layer of paint, but it’s not. You can use layer after layer of paint and end up with a room that looks worse off than it did before you started.

Similarly, if you only use primer, the walls you’re painting will look unfinished.

Using primer before painting is essential because it seals porous surfaces and helps the paint bond to the wall, preventing uneven absorption, flaking, or peeling. If you skip this step, it may require repainting, which will take more of your time and money.

Paint primer also blocks odors and stains, enhances your paint color, and prevents mold and mildew growth, but only if it includes this feature in its formulation.

When Should I Use Paint Primer?

Here are a few instances where it’s always best to use primer before painting:

Unpainted surfaces, including new drywall.
Patched areas.
Stained surfaces.
Cabinets.
Rooms previously painted with oil-based paint.
Walls that are going from dark to light or light to dark.

What’s the Purpose of Paint?

Paint finishes your walls. It adds color and glossiness and hardens, so it’s durable.

The amount of time you should wait between priming and painting depends on the primer type and the surface you're painting, such as wood, metal, or walls.

For example, if you’re painting wood, it’s best to wait about 24 hours between primer and paint, whereas you can usually paint drywall within 1 to 3 hours after priming.

What Are the Top Benjamin Moore Primers?

At Hoover Paint, we carry several premium primer brands, including Benjamin Moore primer, to meet your different needs, including:

Ultra Spec® 500 Primer: Easy to apply and quick-drying, this Benjamin Moore primer is spatter-resistant and tintable toward light colors. Use it on new or previously painted drywall and non-bleeding wood.
Fresh Start® High-Hiding Primer: Benjamin Moore’s best-performing acrylic primer that hides most stains and other issues, provides excellent uniformity and adhesion, and is mildew-resistant. It’s a great choice for drywall, metal, concrete, or tile.
Insl-X® STIX® Waterborne Bonding Primer: A professional favorite from Benjamin Moore, it dries to the touch in less than an hour, is spatter- and mildew-resistant, and offers powerful stain-blocking. It’s perfect for interior and exterior use, including drywall, plaster, glossy tile, and PVC.

Shop Premium Paints and Primers Near Murfreesboro, TN

Whether you’re painting a single room or an entire home, using Benjamin Moore primer followed by their finest paint can ensure the finish looks finished and pristine, with lasting results.

Hoover Paint has several locations throughout Middle Tennessee, including one in Murfreesboro that serves the city and surrounding areas, including Christiana, Lascassas, Rockvale, and Plainview.