I've had mixed results skipping primer—even with the good paint-and-primer combos. Did a bathroom repaint last summer without separate primer, and while it looked fine at first, moisture started causing some peeling after about 6 months. Had to redo it properly anyway. Might depend on the room's humidity or surface type, but personally I'd rather spend the extra time upfront than redo later...
"Might depend on the room's humidity or surface type, but personally I'd rather spend the extra time upfront than redo later..."
I get your point, but honestly I've had decent luck skipping primer in my kitchen. Maybe bathrooms are just trickier because of all the steam? I painted over a pretty dark color with one of those paint-and-primer combos about a year ago, and it's still holding up fine. Could be beginner's luck though...guess I'll find out soon enough!
I've had mixed results with those paint-and-primer combos myself. Worked great in my living room, but the bathroom was another story—started peeling after just a few months. Maybe it's the steam or moisture like you mentioned? Makes me wonder if certain brands handle humidity better than others...anyone tried different brands and noticed a difference?
"Maybe it's the steam or moisture like you mentioned?"
Yeah, moisture definitely seems to be the culprit. I had a similar issue in my first place—thought I'd save time with one of those combo paints in the bathroom. Looked great at first, but within half a year it started bubbling and peeling near the shower. Switched to a dedicated bathroom paint (think it was a mildew-resistant type?), and it's held up way better. Seems some rooms just need the extra attention...
"Switched to a dedicated bathroom paint (think it was a mildew-resistant type?), and it's held up way better."
True, bathroom-specific paints can make a difference, but honestly, sometimes peeling isn't just about moisture or paint quality. When I had similar bubbling issues, turned out my exhaust fan was undersized and not venting properly. Upgraded to a stronger fan and added a timer switch—problem practically solved itself. Paint helps for sure, but if you're not tackling ventilation too, you're probably just delaying the inevitable...
