Best Overall
Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Base Primer
Best Bang for the Buck
Kilz Original Interior Primer
Best All-Purpose
Kilz 2 All-Purpose Interior/Exterior Primer
We may realize revenue from the mathematical product available on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Whether you ’re painting the life room or a patio tabular array , enforce a prep coating of primer to the Earth’s surface can improve adherence , preclude peeling , and reduce the bit of coats needed to finish the job . While all primers contain more resin and less pigment than paint , formulas vary from product to production . We tested some of the most popular option to find out which primer figure out well for dissimilar situations . Our identification number one beak isRust - Oleum ’s Zinsser Bulls Eyewith its low odor and ability to puzzle out on multiple Earth’s surface .
The rightprimer for your projectdepends on the surroundings you ’ll be working in , the open you ’ll be paint , and your penchant for the time frame of the job and its final look . say on to find out what make water a lineament paint undercoat and why the below selection social status as our top favourite among the good paint primers we tested .
Product Comparison
Our Top Picks
We spent hours narrowing the paint primer market and try the top - rated product . One or more of these recommendations for the best pigment primer may suit your specific needs .
Rust - Oleum is well known for its protective paints and coatings . Its Zinsser Bulls Eye 1 - 2 - 3 water - base primer is an all - purpose primer coat - sealant that sticks to various aerofoil without sanding and works with any top pelage . The marque is regarded as one of the top producer of rust - preventive rouge .
The primer is low odor , low in volatile organic compound ( VOCs ) , and provides first-class coverage on internal and exterior surfaces . It ’s made from body of water - based acrylic resin and is designed to resist blistering , peeling , and mould and mildew growth . The primer is tintable and available in white or greyish . It ’s also usable in atomiser - blusher contour .
We try this primer on multiple surfaces , let in drywall , woodwind instrument , metal , and plastic . It readily stuck to all of those surfaces and provide a textured ruined surface that easy held onto a top coat of paint . The primer coat did not completely block the water system stain on wallboard , but we expected that — most white primers do not . We thought the paint was thin and needed two coats on all surfaces to check an even , suave top coat . Overall , we liked this primer ’s versatility of usance on multiple surfaces , make it our top option .
Get the Rust - Oleum Zinsser paint primer atAmazonorAce Hardware .
Kilz is a trusted paint brand , particularly for primers . Kilz Original interior priming is the company ’s flagship primer designed to close up most wakeless interior grunge on wood , wallboard , plaster , panelling , wallpaper , Freemasonry , brick , and painted metallic element . It also work on by rights cook calendered surfaces .
The primer is oil - based but can be used as a base coating for latex and oil paints . Kilz is our go - to fuse for tough stain in our household . Previously , we had only used the spray - can interpretation but found that the can version works just as well . We tested the primer on weewee mark on our drywall and as a base coat on various fabric , including woodwind instrument , brick , and metal . The primer adhered well to poriferous surfaces , but we did require to sand the metal before priming .
The white fuze paint did a enough chore blocking light - colored stains . However , in our experience with trying to hide stubborn stains on drywall , the priming forge best at hiding stains when tinted gray .
Although it is available in a lower - VOC formula , it is not small VOC and the odor was strong . We recommend using a gas helmet or working in a well - give vent area when using this primer . Overall , Kilz Original is a satisfying performing artist , and we extremely urge it for any ventilated national primer program .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Kilz Original key primer atAce Hardware .
Kilz 2 all - purpose interior / exterior primer coat is a cosmopolitan - purpose primer well suited for use on various DIY projects . This water - based flat coat has a drastically lower VOC content than the Original Kilz Primer , and it works under or over water - based or oil colour - based key . It blocks light to medium stains and mild aroma , and it result a mildew - resistant finish .
Kilz 2 all - purpose fusee works well for cosmopolitan - purpose undercoat and seal off need . In examination , it left a smooth base coat on wallboard and bare wood . It did a temperate job forget dark stains on walls , but it effectively blocked idle dirt like pencil marks , minor scuffs , and markers . We recommend using Kilz 2 for prim old wall before repaint or for any exterior surface as a al-Qaida coat for exterior key . It ’s also ready to hand to habituate a primer for slyness painting projects .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Kilz 2 paint primer atLowe’s , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Best for Metal
Rust-Oleum Clean Metal Primer
Rust - Oleum Clean Metal primer is formulated to cover lightly rust metals as well as stark and previously paint metals . It ’s weather- and corrosion - resistant and bonds tightly to exterior / interior surface like woods , metal , concrete , and Freemasonry .
This primer is designed primarily for use on metal , but it works well on other surfaces . It did a good job stuff rust fungus discoloration on a metallic element bench we refinish , and it allow a politic aerofoil for a top coat . The only genuine drawback of this priming was that the smooth surfaces required homework work before function — smooth , hard , or glossy finishes need sand for the undercoat to adhere . However , after apply onto sanded alloy , it did form a durable finish , and the top pelage went on beautifully .
Get the Rust - Oleum metal key primer atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Glossy Surfaces
Kilz Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer
Kilz Adhesion interior / exterior primer is formulated to bond to various tough - to - rouge surfaces such as PVC , vinyl radical , glass , tile , and glaze brick . The water - establish primer offers the same stain- and odor - blocking properties as the other Kilz primer . Unlike the other fuse in the Kilz ancestry , adherence does not want sandpaper a glossy surface before priming app program .
Since this flat coat is virtually identical in its filth and odor properties to the others in the Kilz lines , we primarily tested its ability to stick to slick Earth’s surface . We apply the primer to plastic , metals , and glazed ceramic . We did not sandpaper the Earth’s surface before app . It did adhere to the surface jolly well , but we did find that practice the primer in thin , multiple layer produced good results . Although it took at least two coating , we prefer to paint two coats rather than sanding the entire surface first .
Get the Kilz Adhesion pigment flat coat atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Odor Blocking
Kilz Restoration Interior Primer
Water , mould , and rust stains are baffling to cover , but odors are even operose to hide . Smoke , ducky urine , and food for thought odors often ask using an oil - based or shellac - based primer to varnish them into the surface before painting . However , Kilz Restoration interior primer proffer the same performance as oil - based primers but with the well-fixed cleanup convenience of water - based paint .
Like the other primers offered by Kilz , this primer did an fair to middling line of insure most light to medium stains . However , Kilz Restoration shin as an odor blocking agent . We quiz this fuse dry wall in a way where smokers previously resided . The ground went on swimmingly and seal in the smell . Once the top coat was apply , there was no wind of the tone . It did a moderate occupation concealing old water grime , but we expected that .
Since this primer is primarily formulated for smell blocking , we suggest only using this flat coat for that purpose . Kilz Original primer is a undecomposed stain blocker .
Photo: acehardware.com
Get the Kilz Restoration blusher primer atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Best for Exterior
Kilz 3 Premium Interior/Exterior Primer
Kilz 3 Premium interior / exterior primer coat is formulated to minimise job because of color change , minor stains , surface textures , and porousness differences . This primer pop the question splendid adhesion , a mildew - resistive coating , and seal internal and exterior aerofoil for a uniform finish .
In examination , we institute that this primer did an excellent job sealing new Sir Henry Joseph Wood framing on our covered deck . It leave an ultrasmooth finish , and the top coat run on smoothly . The primed and paint Sir Henry Joseph Wood has been through a few rainstorms and high humidity conditions for a few weeks , and the surface still looks amazing .
As a brand blocker , it did a decent job insure up an senior painted surface with minor molding and turd stain . The only hustle we found with this flat coat was that it ’s not made to cling to showy control surface without preparation . However , it ’s an excellent primer for exterior usance because it beat pronto to plaster , paneling , Freemasonry , brick , and paint metal without issue .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Kilz 3 Premium paint fusee atLowe’s , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Best for Interior Walls
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex
Sherwin - Williams SuperPaint is the blade ’s key - and - primer coat combo available in national and exterior conceptualization . The interior version is designed for one coat reporting on drywall , well-kept , and ceilings . SuperPaint creates a lasting finish and a surface that holds up to scrubbing .
We have used SuperPaint as our primary wall key for years . It ’s thick than most home paints , which allows it to cover in fewer coats than cheaper paints . The matte finish is perfect for cap , too . We could attain substantial coverage on walls in two coats , even over darker key . Although we were able to cover a similar color paries in one coat in the past , we think it count better with two coat of paint . The only confidence game we have with this paint is that it ’s expensive . However , Sherwin - Williams often offers promos that can help countervail the monetary value .
Get the Sherwin - Williams paint primer atSherwin - Williams .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Paint Primers
We tested each paint priming consort to establish title , including how easy it was to employ , how well it adhered to various surfaces , and its stain- and odor - blocking abilities . We scab each primer base on these rubric on a scale between 0 and 4 to learn a score . Lastly , we tested the priming ’s lastingness and how attractive the final finish appeared on each airfoil .
Weappliedeach primer coat to alloy , masonry , drywall , and Sir Henry Wood surfaces . The wallboard surfaces included water grease , mould , and lingering gage aroma . We apply two coat of primer to each surface and allowed it to dry out for an minute , and then follow up with a 2-dimensional white top coat to determine if there was any bleedthrough of stains and to judge the smoothness of the top coat .
What to Consider When Choosing a Paint Primer
When choosing a primer for your labor , there are several feature to view . The best rouge ground options efficiently track multiple surface , block smirch , and see an even , smooth top coating . Here are more details about important features to look at when take a paint priming coat .
Project Environment
Paint primers total in three formula : interior / exterior , exterior , and interior .
Interior / exterior ground are suit for indoor and outdoor exercise , whileexterior primersare designed for outdoor utilisation only . Both contain additives that stave in off UV - related fading and moisture - relate mold issues ; they also tally flexibility to withstand frequent outdoor temperature change , preventing the paint from uncase or crock up .
Interior primers , phrase without exterior additives , are only suitable forindoor use . Interior / exterior priming is the best bet for doing a compass of paint jobs , indoors and out . Plus , choosing a priming that works indoors and outside save on the costs of buy freestanding internal and exterior products .
Photo: amazon.com
Surface
Eachtypeof primer may adhere well to unlike open . The follow inside information the in force primer case for plebeian home surfaces :
Dedicated Primer vs. Paint-and-Primer in One
Self - fuse paint — also make love as paint - and - ground combo product — let users prime and paint a control surface in a single step . But these two - in - one ware are only recommended if all of the follow are true :
Choose separate paint and primer to improve paint attachment in the following situations :
Tintability
Primer usually comes in white or gray . Use either color as is without tinting it or have theprimer tintedto a hue that ’s slightly lighter than the top coat . Tinting ground , which ask buy a primer label “ tintable , ” generally achieves a deeper , richer , and more uniform final gloss but is particularly recommended in the following situations :
Dry Time
Pay attention to the “ wry - to - recoat ” clip intend on the primer packaging — an indicant of when the fusee is teetotal enough to be recoated either with another coat of primer or with paint . In general , latex fuse have a unretentive dry - to - recoat prison term of no more than 1 60 minutes , whereas oil - based primers need 1 to 3 hours before they can be recoated .
FAQs
Water - based priming coat is good for walls and cap . Oil - based primer coat is primarily used for doors , window , metal , woodwork , or over knotty stain in well - ventilated areas .
Paint with primer is estimable for antecedently paint walls . Primers are recommended for use on any surface that has not been previously painted .
No , but using a pigment primer does reduce the amount of top coat key need , and it protects and seals the surface .
Photo: acehardware.com
Meet the Tester
Debbie Wolfe is a lensman , author , and freelance writer in various niches . She has contributed hundreds of home , garden , and crafting articles and DIY tutorial for leading media outlets and retailer , admit HGTV , Real Simple , Forbes Advisor , The Spruce , The Home Depot , Walmart , and Mother Earth News . She is the source of two DIY book of account : Do - It - Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and craft with herb from Skyhorse Publishing . Her examination approach is straightforward and budget - given .
Additional research provided by Manasa Reddigari .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Whether you ’re betray or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on on budget .
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
