How many times do you prime before painting?

How many times you prime before painting depends on surface condition, but generally one coat of primer is enough for most situations, with two coats needed only for specific problems. For new drywall, bare wood, or previously unpainted surfaces, one coat of quality primer is sufficient to seal and provide adhesion for topcoat. For surfaces with stains, water damage, smoke, crayon, or tannin bleed from cedar and redwood, one coat of stain-blocking oil-based primer is usually enough, but severe stains may need second coat after first dries. For drastic color change from dark to light, one coat of tinted primer helps coverage, but two coats of topcoat are more important than two coats of primer. For bare metal with rust, one coat of rust-inhibitive primer is enough if coverage is good. For glossy surfaces, one coat of bonding primer is enough. Applying two coats of primer is rarely needed and can cause adhesion issues if too thick, and wastes time. So standard is one coat of primer, with second coat only for severe stains, tannin bleed, or porous surfaces that absorb first coat unevenly, then two coats of topcoat after primer for best finish.