What Primer & Paint Do We Recommend to Go From Red Walls to White Walls?

Switching your walls from red to white isn’t a simple color swap — red pigments are bold and deep, and without the right primer and paint system, they can bleed through and require way more work than expected. But when done correctly, the result is crisp, clean, and lasting.

Here’s our proven Sherwin-Williams-based strategy — the same system we rely on at Pacificraft to deliver professional, high-quality cabinet and wall refinishing.

Step 1: Block the Red — Use a High-Performance Primer

Product Recommendation:Sherwin-Williams ProBlock Quick Dry Water-Based Primer

Why It Works:

• Superior pigment blocking: Designed to prevent strong red and other deep hues from bleeding into your final white coat.

• Fast drying: Cures quickly, letting you move to topcoat faster (usually within a couple of hours).

• High adhesion: Creates a stable, even base for any topcoat — no peeling, no lifting.

• Interior & exterior: Flexible enough to handle different wall types, especially useful if you’re tackling textured or semi-gloss walls.

• Low VOC: Safer for indoor use and easier on air quality — a crucial factor during large repaint jobs.

Pro Tip:Apply two lighter coats of primer, rather than one heavy coat. Two thin layers give you better coverage and reduce the risk of red bleeding through.

Step 2: Choose the Right White Paint for Your Topcoat

Once you’ve laid down a strong primer, the next step is using a white paint that truly covers and performs. For a red-to-white transformation, we recommend Sherwin-Williams’ best-in-class interior paints to ensure maximum opacity and a flawless finish.

Recommended Paints:

1. Sherwin-Williams Emerald® Interior

   • Excellent hide and opacity — helps mask underlying red tones.

   • Designed for durability and washability — great for high-traffic walls.

   • Smooth finish with excellent leveling, giving your walls a professional-grade look.

2. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Designer Edition™

   • Premium-level finish with deeper pigment and outstanding flow.

   • Ideal for homeowners or pros who want a truly refined, designer-quality result.

   • Offers elite hide and finish quality, making fewer coats more effective.

Application Tips for Best Results

• Primer Application: Use a high-quality roller or even consider spraying to ensure even coverage. Let it dry fully before topcoating.

• Sand Lightly After Primer: A light sanding (220–320 grit) helps produce the smoothest finish and better adhesion for your white topcoat.

• Topcoat Strategy: With either Emerald or Designer Edition, be prepared to do two coats — this ensures full masking and consistent color depth.

• Maintain a Wet Edge: Whether rolling or spraying, maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks and irregular finish.

• Light Test: Before doing the full room, test your white color in different lighting (natural and artificial) to confirm it reads how you intended.

Why We Use This Combination at Pacificraft

At Pacificraft, we choose product systems that balance performance, durability, and predictability. This pairing — ProBlock Quick Dry Primer + Emerald/ Designer Edition — checks all the boxes:

• It hides deep, saturated reds so effectively that you don’t need multiple topcoats.

• It delivers a smooth, refined finish that looks professionally done.

• It’s long-lasting, even in homes with kids, pets, or high everyday use.

• It aligns with our approach: Quality isn’t optional — it’s non-negotiable.

Final Thoughts

Converting a red room to a bright, clean white may sound like a big project — and it is. But with the right primer and topcoat, you can dramatically reduce effort, cost, and frustration.

If you're ready to tackle that bold red wall or multiple walls and want it done professionally (and right), click below to get a free quote from Pacificraft. We’d love to help you make your space feel fresh, open, and truly yours.

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