If you’re planning to repaint your Toronto home, chances are you’ve asked this question:
“Do I really need to prime, or can I just paint?”
It’s a fair question. Primer can feel like an extra step—but in Toronto’s climate and with the variety of home surfaces we see, priming is often the difference between a paint job that looks great for years and one that starts failing far too soon.
Let’s break it down in a simple, homeowner-friendly way.
What Does Primer Actually Do?
Primer isn’t just watered-down paint. It’s specially formulated to:
Create a strong bond between the surface and the paint
Seal porous materials so paint absorbs evenly
Block stains, tannins, and odours from bleeding through
Improve durability so your paint lasts longer
In short, primer sets the foundation for a flawless finish.
Why Priming Matters in Toronto Homes
Toronto homes face unique challenges that make priming especially important:
1. Extreme Weather Changes
Toronto’s freeze–thaw cycles, humid summers, and dry winters cause surfaces to expand and contract. Primer helps stabilize the surface so paint adheres properly instead of cracking or peeling.
2. Older Homes & Mixed Materials
Many Toronto homes feature plaster walls, repaired drywall, brick, wood trim, or previously painted surfaces layered over decades. Primer ensures consistency across different materials.
3. Moisture & Humidity
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and older homes without modern ventilation benefit greatly from moisture-resistant primers that prevent mold and paint failure.
When You Absolutely Need Primer
You should never skip primer if:
You’re painting new drywall or plaster
You’ve done patching, repairs, or skim coating
You’re covering dark colours with lighter ones
There are water stains, smoke damage, or nicotine stains
You’re painting bare wood, metal, or masonry
You’re changing from oil-based paint to latex
Skipping primer in these cases often leads to uneven colour, flashing, peeling, or stains reappearing.
When You Might Be Able to Skip Primer
In limited situations, primer may not be necessary if:
The existing paint is in excellent condition
You’re repainting with a similar colour
The surface is clean, smooth, and properly prepped
Even then, many professionals still use a light primer coat to ensure uniform results—especially on high-visibility walls.
This is one of the most common misconceptions.
Paint-and-primer products are great for colour coverage, but they do not replace true primer when:
Sealing stains
Bonding to raw surfaces
Blocking moisture or odours
Painting problem areas
Think of them as a convenience product—not a universal solution.
The Professional Advantage
Professional painters don’t just ask if primer is needed—they determine:
Which type of primer (bonding, stain-blocking, moisture-resistant)
Where it’s needed most
How many coats are required
This tailored approach is what gives professional paint jobs their smooth finish and long lifespan.
So, Do You Need to Prime Your Toronto Home?
In most cases—yes.
Priming is an investment in:
Better colour accuracy
Longer-lasting results
Fewer touch-ups and repaints
Protection against Toronto’s climate
It may add a step, but it saves time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Thinking About Repainting?
If you’re unsure whether your space needs primer—or what type is best—it’s always worth getting expert advice.
A properly primed home doesn’t just look better on day one. It stays beautiful for years.
Ready to get started? Contact a professional painting team to assess your space and create a finish that lasts.
When you live in the heart of Toronto, your home isn’t just a place to rest — it’s your personal sanctuary above the city buzz. Our recent downtown project perfectly captures that balance of calm sophistication and urban edge.
The Power of a Thoughtful Palette
This condo features two standout shades that work together seamlessly:
Oxford White OC-30 by Benjamin Moore – a timeless, clean white that reflects natural light beautifully and opens up compact city spaces.
Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball – a deep, dramatic grey with subtle blue undertones, offering contrast, depth, and quiet luxury.
These colors were chosen not only for their visual appeal but for how they interact with light and texture. In bright daylight, Oxford White brings a sense of airiness, while Down Pipe grounds each room, adding warmth and modern character. Together, they create a refined look that feels both contemporary and enduring.
Why This Combination Works So Well
The key to this palette’s success lies in balance. Oxford White keeps the condo feeling open and spacious — an important factor in downtown living — while Down Pipe introduces personality and visual interest. The result? A harmonious mix that highlights the architecture and complements the client’s art, furniture, and natural light.
This pairing also transitions beautifully from space to space. The crisp kitchen in Oxford White flows effortlessly into the cozy, moody bedroom painted in Down Pipe — each room distinct, yet cohesive.
Tips to Consider Before Repainting Your Interior
If you’re thinking of refreshing your own space, here are a few key tips:
Test Your Colors in Natural Light – Paint swatches can look completely different depending on lighting. Always sample your top choices on the wall first.
Balance Light and Dark Shades – In smaller spaces, use lighter tones to open the room and darker hues to define areas or create a cozy retreat.
Work with the Mood You Want to Create – Soft neutrals calm, while bold tones energize. Match your palette to how you want your home to feel.
Invest in Quality Paint – Premium brands like Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball not only look better but also last longer and clean easier.
Think Beyond Walls – Doors, trims, and ceilings are opportunities to add subtle contrast and elevate the overall design.
The Result
This project reflects what thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship can do. Each room now feels intentional — bright where it needs to be, grounded where it counts. The tones complement Toronto’s skyline views while maintaining a warm, livable charm.
Ready to Refresh Your Space?
At CAM Painters, we bring color expertise and precision craftsmanship to every home we transform. Whether it’s a downtown condo or a family house, we’ll help you find the perfect palette that fits your lifestyle.
👉 Contact us today — and let’s make your next project a masterpiece.
One of the things we’ve been doing more of the last few years is mural installation. Murals are a specialty subset of wallpaper and were traditionally very hard to source. They don’t just come in the form of wallpaper though. Some artists offer custom murals LA which are painted directly onto the wall, to show a beautiful image or text. Wallpaper is an easy option, but if you’re interested in getting a traditional route, contact an artist. Traditional paint stores with their books of wallpaper, just weren’t able to offer them. Now, however, with the popularity of online shopping, many websites specialize in offering wallpaper murals. In fact, some printers will make a custom mural from any digital image you can supply them!
What’s the difference between traditional wallpaper and a wallpaper mural?
Traditional wallpaper
The main difference is that wallpaper is a repetitive pattern, whereas a mural can be anything at all. Some popular murals can be city skylines, world maps, even a picture of a marble slab.
How to select a wallpaper mural
You want to make sure that the size of the mural will fit the size of your wall. If it’s too big for the wall you might lose some of the picture as it’s trimmed to size. If the mural is too small then it won’t fill the entire wall.
World map mural in a nursery
Therefore, you want to purchase a mural that’s bigger than the wall it’s going on. A good rule of thumb is to have at least a couple of inches of waste, but not more than a foot. Therefore, if your wall is 8’h x 10’w you’ll want something that’s in the range of 8’2″ to 9′ high by 10’2″ to 11″ wide.
Is there a different installation process?
Since there is no repetitive pattern to a mural, the picture is divided into numbered panels. The actual installation process is no different than normal wallpaper, in most cases it uses the same paste and the same techniques. However, there’s no room for error, because if a panel is ruined, there’s nothing to fix it with. Therefore, when it comes to the installation you want to select an experienced wallpaper installer, rather than a novice.
CAM Painters has taken on many mural installations and has the expertise to ensure your installation is done to the highest standards. Why don’t you book a quote? We’d love to Transform Your Home With Lasting Beauty!
As you probably are aware, a Stay-at-Home order was announced on April 7th. According to the regulations we are deemed an essential service and are allowed to continue, however we want to do so safely. Because your safety and the safety of our team are our primary concern.
Please review these safety protocols carefully and confirm that you agree before we book an in-person estimate or project start date.
We appreciate your business very much and thank you for your ongoing support during this challenging time.
In-person estimates:
We are available for in-person estimates but for the sake of safety let’s ensure the following:
All of us will be wearing masks
All of us will maintain a distance of 2m throughout the meeting
None of us is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms; noone has recently come into contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive
We are also offering virtual estimates! We can discuss your painting project via Zoom, FaceTime or Google Duo
Project protocol
Should you wish to proceed with your painting and/or wallpapering project, we will:
Arrive and complete the job wearing masks at all times
Have hand sanitizer with us at all times
Wipe down surfaces which we touch at the beginning and end of the day
Maintain a safe distance from you at all times
In the event that a team member feels symptomatic, or has recently come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we will postpone your project and ensure that he or she tests negative and isolates for 14 days before returning to work. We will reschedule your project for the next available date.
What we require from you:
Please wear a mask at all times in the presence of our team members
Make arrangements for the home to be vacant, if possible. If not, please ensure we have the workspace entirely to ourselves
Respect social distancing at all times
DO NOT have any other trades in your home while we are onsite
If you or a member of your household feels any COVID-19 symptoms, or has been exposed to someone confirmed with COVID-19, please advise us at the earliest opportunity so that we may reschedule your project
If for any reason our team members do not feel safe while in your home, we will address the issue with you immediately. If the issue is not resolved, we reserve the right to vacate the home and reschedule the project
Are you looking for a career in the trades with room to grow? At CAM Painters we are always looking to grow our team by hiring the best and the brightest!
In this post we’ll tell you what we’re expecting of our new hires along with the benefits of working at CAM Painters.
What are the benefits of a career with CAM Painters?
We are looking for payroll employees, not subcontractors. That means that we cover liability insurance and WSIB, wheras subcontractors have to provide their own.
Full time year round employees. When we find great team members we like to keep them busy year round!
We offer health benefits after 90 days of employment. It’s important that our employees stay healthy, so a portion of massages, chiropractic visits and others are covered.
Your opinion is valued at CAM Painters. We have regular team meetings where suggestions from our painters regarding processes, equipment and customer service can be discussed and implemented.
What we expect of our painters
Honesty
If you don’t know how to do something, or if you don’t know what’s expected of you, please ask. Different painting companies have different ways of doing things. So even if you’ve been painting for a long time, please ask about how we’d like things done. There’s no shame in asking questions.
Clean up after yourself
Cleaning up after yourself is essential when working in residential painting. In fact, it’s a non-negotiable, so leaving a messy job site is completely unacceptable. We provide the best customer experience in the painting business and clean up is one of those key areas that we differentiate ourselves.
Keep it above the line
Ownership
Accountability
Responsibility
_____________
Blame
Excuses
Denial
As we work together, it’s most productive to keep it above the line. If there is a problem, what can you do to own the problem and what solutions can you offer to fix it? Can you be accountable to your coworkers and complete the tasks you have promised you would? Can you be responsible to show up when required?
Blame, excuses and denial are not productive at all. They halt creativity and give the customer a bad experience, which has ruined many businesses.
Some tips for the interview
Show up on time – this really goes without saying.
Be neat in your appearance. There is no need to wear a suit and tie, of course, but making sure your clothes are neat and you are well-groomed will go a long way in making a good first impression.
Print out your resume and bring it with you. It’s handy for us to have a printed copy of your resume to refer to, and take notes on.
Be honest with your answers – We’re not looking for a know-it-all, but we are looking for people humble enough to take advice and be willing to grow.
On your first day
If we decide that there is a good fit and we’d like to invite you to a training session and/or a jobsite there are a few things to keep in mind:
Ask questions – you are starting a new position, with a new company. Even if you’ve painted before, every company operates differently and has different systems and ways of producing work. There will be a transition period and asking questions will help accelerate your learning curve.
Come with a good work ethic – this gives us something to work with. If you are energetic and willing to get things done then we merely have to point you in the right direction. Without a good work ethic the old adage “you can’t steer a parked car” definitely applies!
In conclusion
We’re always looking for all-star painters and you can either be an all-star painter or have the potential to be an all-star painter. If you’re looking for a career as a painter, why don’t you apply? Together we can Transform Homes With Lasting Beauty!
Unfortunately this is a more common experience in Toronto than it should be. Here’s how you can avoid this occurrence and find a reliable painter…
Here’s the backstory,
You found someone either through a recommendation of a friend, or perhaps on Facebook, or a lawn sign.
He seemed like a nice fellow when he met with you for the quote.
He gave you a price, you accepted it and booked in a start date.
The start date rolled around and no painter! No phone call, no text, no email – Nothing!!
Why would this happen in the first place?
First off, it’s very easy to call yourself a painting contractor.
Barriers to entry are very low, a vehicle, some brushes, rollers, roller trays and you can call yourself a painter. However, with such a low startup cost some people treat their “painting business” as a part-time hobby.
Many of these “painting contractors” will do cash only, so that they can avoid taxes and proper insurances, which places a lot of risk on the homeowner that hires them.
To sum it up, they don’t have much invested in the process, so it’s easy for them to quit on their customers and leave them high and dry.
How can you find a reliable painting contractor?
You can minimize the chance of this happening to you by doing your due diligence. How so?
Ask your painting contractor how many years they’ve been in business?
As a general rule of thumb, the more years someone has been in business, the more they are invested in the success of their business.
At CAM Painters, we’ve been in business for 16 years. We’ve invested thousands of dollars in equipment, so that we can provide a great customer experience.
People will always say good things about themselves, sometimes they can even get a couple of other people to say good things about them.
Look for reliable contractors with lots of social proof:
Make sure that they’ve got lots of Google reviews – not just one review from their mother! At CAM Painters, for instance, we currently have over twenty 5 star reviews and counting! Also remember that, in some cases, it is possible for businesses to remove a google review if it is inappropriate in any way. They shouldn’t be able to remove legitimate negative reviews, though. Therefore, Google reviews provide a good insight.
They’ve got video testimonials – and not just written testimonials because those can be fabricated. We’ve got a number of video testimonials both on our YouTube channel and our website
A reputable contractor will give a written proposal and back up their work with a written warranty
You want an agreement in writing, so that there is no gray area of “he said, she said”. At CAM Painters we have a written proposal that goes over every aspect of the job from start to finish.
A reliable contractor will offer a written warranty on their work. At CAM Painters we offer a 5 year written warranty on both interior and exterior projects, as well as one hour of free touch ups each year, so that your house always looks it’s best!
To sum it up…
If you do your due diligence when you select a painting contractor you can minimize surprises during the painting process, such as someone not showing up when they say they will, or any other myriad of missed promises.
At CAM Painters we strive to give an excellent painting experience from start to finish, so why don’t you book a quote? We’d be happy to Transform Your Home With Lasting Beauty!
