How do you pace your painting projects - slow and steady or all at once?

- I’ve tried a couple of those “one coat” low-VOC primers - honestly, mixed results. Sometimes it covers, sometimes you’re back for round two anyway.
- The “right” way does feel like a slog, but I’ve had to repaint rentals way too soon when I cut corners.
- Curious - has anyone found a primer that actually saves time without sacrificing durability? Or is it just marketing hype?

I’ve been burned by the “one coat” miracle claims, too. Sometimes it’s like, sure, the first coat mostly covers… if you squint and don’t mind seeing old wall stains peeking through. I’ve tried Zinsser 123 and Kilz 2 for speed, but honestly, unless you’re painting over an almost-perfect surface, I still end up doing two coats. Maybe it’s less about the primer brand and more about prep? Or maybe I just don’t have the magic touch. Either way, I’d rather spend an extra hour than redo the whole thing in six months.

I hear you on the “one coat” hype - it’s never worked for me either. I’d rather do two coats and know it’ll last, even if it means a longer weekend. Prep definitely matters, but I think some walls just refuse to cooperate no matter what primer you use. At least with a little extra effort, you don’t have to stare at weird stains peeking through for years...

I’ve run into those stubborn walls too - sometimes no amount of primer seems to help, especially with old water stains or weird patch jobs. I’m with you on the two coats, though. Even with high-end paint, coverage can be unpredictable depending on the surface texture and previous color. I usually break projects up over a few days: prep and prime one day, then tackle coats on separate days. It’s less overwhelming and gives each layer time to cure properly. Rushing it just leads to touch-ups later...

I totally get what you mean about those stubborn stains - sometimes it feels like they just bleed through no matter what you do. I’ve found that using a shellac-based primer can sometimes make a difference, especially on watermarks or old repairs. Breaking up the process over a few days is smart; I used to try and cram everything into one weekend, but it always led to streaks or spots I’d have to fix later. Do you ever sand between coats, or just let the paint cure as-is? I’ve noticed a light sanding can help with texture, but it’s definitely more work...