Paint Question

[Khang Luu]

I am working on a Victoria's farmhouse. I wonder if it is necessary to paint the inside as a primer before I put up the wall paper. What does it do?

 

[havanaholly]

Wood and MDF contain chemicals that, over time, leach out and "burn" whatever's glued to them; primer seals the surface and protects whatever you stick on it from later damage.  In addition sanding the primed surface helps prevent imperfections in the unprimed, unsanded surface from showing through your wall covering.  Do NOT prime or paint any surface you want to stain, as primer also seals the wood so stain will not be absorbed into the wood. (I have learned this at first hand...)