Absolutely, I strongly recommend using a primer before painting any outdoor bench from our factory. Here’s why: Our benches are crafted from high-quality, kiln-dried wood that is smooth and factory-sealed, but raw wood still has pores and natural tannins that can bleed through paint over time. Without a primer, you risk poor adhesion, uneven color, and premature peeling or cracking due to moisture, UV exposure, and temperature swings.

A proper primer—ideally an oil-based or stain-blocking exterior wood primer—creates a uniform surface, seals the wood, and locks in tannins. It also improves the topcoat’s durability, making your paint last 2–3 times longer. For best results, lightly sand the bench with 120-grit sandpaper, wipe off dust, apply a thin, even coat of primer, let it dry completely (follow manufacturer’s instructions, usually 24 hours), then sand again with 220-grit before applying two coats of exterior-grade paint.

If you skip the primer, you may notice blotchiness, poor coverage, or early failure. So yes—prime first, and your DIY bench will look factory-fresh for seasons to come.