With so many primers to choose from, which one should you use for your job? The easiest way to find out which primer you need is to know exactly what you expect the primer to do for you. Too often people use the wrong primer for the wrong project and end up watching their hours of preparation and work peel off like a bad sunburn.
Simply click on what you are priming and our site will direct you to which primer you should be using.
What are you painting?
New drywall Oil-base Paint Pet Stains Water Stains Tile Glass Floor Nicotine Stains
Peeling Paint Formica Steel Copper Masonite Stucco Aluminum Vinyl Wood Knots
Cedar Wood Pressure Treated Wood PVC T 1-11 Fiberglass
PVA Primer (poly-vinyl acetate)
Product: Many manufacturers make PVA primers, you won't notice a difference unless you use it everyday.
Uses: PVA primer is for priming over newly textured surfaces and bare drywall.
Clean-up: Soap and water can be used to clean out your equipment.
Shellac-based primer
Product: Bin made by Zinsser
Uses:
Interior & exterior spot priming to seal stains (grease, mildew, marker, gasoline) before painting.
Bin primer will also seal in the odor casued by fire damage.
Can be applied to floors prior to painting or carpeting to seal in smells from pet accidents
Shellac-based primers can technically be used on almost any interior surface. For exterior stains it is only
recommended to spot prime problem areas.
Clean-up: Use denatured alcohol to clean your brushes, rollers and tools.
Water-based Primer
Product: 1-2-3 Primer by Zinsser
Uses:
New drywall, plaster, over oil-based paint, new or old wood, concrete, tile.
1-2-3 primer has excellent adhesion and does not require sanding prior to priming. If you have a similiar
interior/exterior primer check the label to see if any prep work is required before priming.
Clean-up: Clean brushes and tools with warm soapy water
Oil-based Primer
Product: Cover Stain by Zinsser