Painting over Bold colours... "The White Out Phase"

It’s tempting to skip the "white-out" phase and dive straight into your new color, but unless you’re a fan of "surprise shades," painting over a bold color with a neutral base first is a non-negotiable step.

​Think of it as hitting the "reset" button on your walls. Here is why that extra step is actually a time-saver in disguise.

​1. Preventing "Ghosting"

​Bold pigments—especially reds, deep blues, and vibrant yellows—have a way of haunting your new paint. If you try to put a light "Seafoam Green" directly over a "Fire Engine Red," the red will bleed through, leaving you with a muddy, brownish mess that looks nothing like the swatch you picked. A white or gray base coat neutralizes the underlying pigment, giving you a clean slate.

​2. Achieving True Color Accuracy

​Paint isn't 100% opaque. It’s slightly translucent, meaning the color underneath acts as a "backlight."

​Without a base: A bright orange wall under a new coat of white paint will make the room look like a glowing creamsicle.

​With a base: The top coat reflects off the neutral white, ensuring the color you see in the tin is exactly what you see on the wall.

​3. Saving Money and Effort

​High-quality top coats are expensive. If you’re trying to cover a dark navy with a pale beige, you might need four or five coats of that pricey paint to get full coverage.

​White primer or a cheap flat white paint is significantly more affordable.

​Using 1–2 coats of white first means you’ll likely only need 1–2 coats of your expensive top coat to finish the job.

​4. Better Adhesion

​Many primers (which are usually white) are chemically formulated to "bite" into the old paint and provide a better surface for the new paint to stick to. This prevents peeling and ensures an even, professional-looking texture.