Add-On Cement Primer: One Primer for Walls and Roof
One budget-friendly primer for interior walls, exterior walls and the roof. Here is exactly where Add-On fits in your painting plan.
Short answer: Add-On is Turbolux’s multi-purpose cement primer. It is a water-based undercoat that seals porous cement plaster, evens out absorption and gives emulsion a firm grip on interior walls, exterior walls and cement roof surfaces. If you want one affordable primer for the whole house, this is it. For damp-prone walls, step up to a waterproof primer like Super Seal, and for premium exterior repaints use the dedicated Exterior Primer.
What is a cement primer and what does it actually do?
Fresh cement plaster is porous, slightly alkaline and thirsty. Roll emulsion straight onto it and the wall drinks the binder out of the paint, leaving a patchy, weakly bonded film that chalks and peels early. A cement primer solves this in three ways.
First, it seals the pores so every coat of paint that follows stays on the surface where it belongs. Second, it evens out absorption, so the finish coat dries to one uniform sheen instead of blotches. Third, it forms a bridging layer that the emulsion can key into, which is why primed walls routinely outlast unprimed ones by years. We covered the wider case in Do You Really Need a Primer Before Painting?, and the answer on bare cement is always yes.
Where can you use Add-On in a Kerala home?
Add-On is deliberately multi-purpose. One 10-litre pack can prime most of a mid-sized job, which keeps things simple for contractors and budget repaints. Typical uses:
- Interior walls and ceilings: under any interior emulsion or ceiling white, on new plaster or sound old paint.
- Exterior walls: under exterior emulsion on compound walls, sit-outs and full elevations where the budget is tight.
- Cement roof surfaces: as the undercoat before a decorative or protective roof coat on flat terraces and slabs.
- Asbestos and fibre cement sheets: to seal the chalky surface before topcoating.
That whole-house flexibility is the point: one primer, fewer part-used cans, less confusion on site.
A budget multi-purpose cement wall primer for walls and roof.
Multi-PurposeView Add-On →
A water-based fast-drying primer for exterior walls.
Fast-Drying UndercoatView Exterior Primer →
Fibre-technology waterproof premium primer.
3 Year WarrantyView Super Seal →How does Add-On compare with other Turbolux primers?
| Primer | Type | Best for | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add-On | Multi-purpose cement primer | Interior walls, exterior walls, cement roofs | You want one economical primer for the whole house |
| Interior Primer | Water-based interior undercoat | Interior walls and ceilings | You want the best base and coverage under premium interior emulsion |
| Exterior Primer | Fast-drying exterior undercoat | Exterior elevations | You are investing in a long-warranty exterior emulsion |
| Super Seal | Fibre waterproof primer | Damp-prone and hairline-cracked walls | Walls show seepage marks, or you want waterproofing built into the primer coat |
The pattern is simple: Add-On wins on economy and flexibility, the dedicated primers win on performance for their specific surface, and Super Seal wins whenever moisture is part of the problem.
How do you apply Add-On step by step?
- Let new plaster cure. Give fresh cement plaster 4 to 6 weeks before priming so trapped moisture and alkalinity settle.
- Clean the surface. Remove dust, loose particles, oil and any flaking old paint. Kill algae or fungus growth first, especially on roofs and shaded exterior walls.
- Dilute as directed. Add-On is water-based, so thin with clean water per the pack instructions and stir well.
- Apply one full coat. Brush or roller, worked well into the surface. On very porous plaster a second coat improves sealing.
- Let it dry. Allow 4 to 6 hours of drying before putty or topcoats, longer in humid monsoon weather.
If you are painting a whole new house, see the full sequence in our New Home Painting Checklist.
When should you choose a specialised primer instead?
Add-On covers most everyday jobs, but three situations justify the upgrade. If the wall has damp patches, salt deposits or a history of seepage, use Super Seal or a damp-proof system first, because no ordinary primer stops water. If you are paying for a premium 10 or 12 year warranty exterior emulsion, pair it with the dedicated Exterior Primer so the undercoat matches the topcoat’s lifespan. And on interior feature walls getting dark or high-sheen finishes, the dedicated Interior Primer gives a smoother, better-covering base.
Frequently asked questions
Is cement primer necessary before painting?
On bare plaster, yes. Cement primer seals the porous surface, evens absorption and locks the paint to the wall. Skipping it is the most common cause of early peeling and patchy sheen on new walls.
Can I use one primer for walls, ceiling and roof?
Yes, that is exactly what a multi-purpose cement primer like Add-On is designed for. It works on interior walls, ceilings, exterior masonry and cement roof surfaces, which makes it convenient for whole-house jobs.
How many coats of cement primer do I need?
One full coat is standard. Very porous or chalky surfaces benefit from two thinner coats. The wall should look uniformly sealed, with no obviously dry, dusty patches.
Can I apply cement primer on a roof before a roof coating?
Yes. On a sound, clean cement roof, a primer coat improves the adhesion of decorative roof coats. If the roof leaks, waterproof it first with a proper elastomeric coating; primer alone will not stop water.
How long does cement primer take to dry?
Surface dry is typically 30 to 60 minutes, and it is ready for the next coat in 4 to 6 hours in dry weather. Allow extra time during humid monsoon months.
One primer, whole house sorted
Talk to Turbolux about Add-On and the right system for your walls and roof.
Find your Turbolux paint →Made in Kerala for Kerala’s climate.
Turbolux Paints
July 22nd, 2026