Don't paint without a primer

Always use a good primer to coat surfaces before painting. Primers are specially formulated to stick well to whatever is underneath them. The original purpose of the primer was to promote adhesion between the surface and the paint. So whatever you put on top of a primer will stick well on it.

Because primers are made in a wide variety of formulations your choice depends on both the surface being painted and the type of paint being used. When using any primer, it's important to read label directions carefully.