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Primer Tips

Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate

February 23, 2023

Image of KILZ® Mold and Mildew primer, KILZ Restoration® primer, KILZ 2® All- Purpose primer, and KILZ 3® PREMIUM primer in an environment landscape.

Whether you’re painting inside or outside your home, choosing a primer suitable for the surface is the difference between success and, well, a not-so-great job. That’s why there are several different KILZ® Primers to choose from.

Starting with the right primer could prevent your paint from failing. So, we’ve asked our primer expert, Product Manager John Golamco to answer a few questions about primers and surfaces (substrates) for us.

What to know before starting a paint project

Before beginning any painting project, Golamco says it’s crucial to identify the type of surface you want to prime and paint. Because different substrates accept coatings differently, KILZ formulated with each surface type in mind.

Once you’ve identified the surface type, take note of its condition. Are there any particular circumstances that need addressing before applying a coating? Attend to things like peeling paint, mold or excessive dirt first.

Finally, determine the environmental conditions of the location. Is it damp? Are you painting outside where the surface is exposed to the weather? Or will the paint be subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations? Each of these conditions dictates the primer and paint you choose to use.

Correctly identifying the substrate

Drywall / Gypsum Board

Most interior walls and ceilings are covered in drywall. According to Golamco, the new drywall is very porous and absorbs much paint. So, to avoid applying excessive coats of paint to get the desired color and finish, he recommends using a drywall primer or PVA. The primer will seal the surface before painting so that less paint is required. Since paint typically costs more than a primer, you get a superior finish with less cost. Priming drywall also smooths out the finish and evens out seams, giving better results with fewer coats of paint.

Unfinished wood

Bare wood is porous and grainy. A primer penetrates the wood fibers, seals the porous surface, and creates a smooth, even surface. Golamco says that applying paint to bare wood without a primer coat produces a dull, blotchy finish. Also, some wood species, like red wood , secrete tannins that could leach through the topcoat paint, impacting its appearance. To avoid this, apply a stain-blocking primer to the bare wood before finishing with the topcoat.Priming Wood Kitchen Cabinet

Masonry/ Cement

A coat, or two, of primer seals porous surfaces like masonry and concrete, creating a smooth finish for the paint to go on. Without primer, masonry tends to absorb too much paint. And as with drywall, you’ll need to apply more coats to account for the uneven porosity and color. Also, according to Golamco, fresh concrete has a high pH value because its cement binders contain many alkalis. Their presence causes adhesion problems when applying paint and can cause the topcoat color to fade (alkali burnout). But an alkali-resistant primer will better help the paint bond to the masonry and protect the finish over time.

Primer MisconceptionsMetal

Many people don’t realize that some metals can rust under a paint coating, especially if the metal surface is exposed to moisture. For this reason, it’s essential to prime metal surfaces before painting, particularly when it’s uncoated or bare. Golamco says that metal primers have unique ingredients to make the metal more resistant to rain, humidity, and salt, which cause corrosion.

Mirror Step 4

Plastics

Since plastics are non-porous, paint doesn’t like to stick to them. As a result, paint on plastic often cracks, blisters, or peels. Golamco recommends first sanding the plastic surface, especially around any edges, curves, and areas with intricate detail to prevent this. Once sanded and cleaned, he says to prime the plastic with a high-adhesion primer. This process will help the topcoat paint adhere the way it should.

The importance of choosing the right primer

Applying primer before painting ensures a beautiful outcome that lasts, but not all primers are created equal. KILZ Primers are engineered and formulated to solve the unique types of challenges presented by different substrates.

“Some multi-purpose primers solve a combination of issues with one product,” said Golamco. “But they’re not formulated to address more severe or complex issues.” If you know the surface type, its condition, issues to be addressed and the environmental factors, then this can help you to choose the right primer for the job. So, if you want to cover a dark color with a light one, paint metal to prevent corrosion, or any other challenging substrate, use a specialty primer for a successful outcome.

Check out the chart below for the best primer for your project!

Infographic of KILZ primer products and which substrates they are best suited.

    Tags:Tags: Drywall, KILZ Primer, Primer, Surface, Wood

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    Rolling KILZ Primer onto Mud Room walls

    Primer Tips

    Pro Spotlight: A Well Made Mudroom

    March 23, 2021

    Today on The Perfect Finish we’re excited to spotlight Christy from Oak Hill Millworks. She is an all-around design and DIY pro, with exceptional skill in woodworking. KILZ® Primer was key in her incredible mudroom renovation project, read on to learn more!

    Did you know that a well-made mudroom can change your mindset? – Christy, Oak Hill Millworks

    Hey there! I’m Christy, owner of Oak Hill Millworks, a creative venture based in the greater Pittsburgh area that aims to educate, entertain, & empower. Most of the topics I focus on have to do with woodworking & DIY, which is why we’re here! I want to share with you how I used tried & true KILZ primer to help drive my recent mudroom remodel home. KILZ is a brand that I have used since I can remember. My grandfather was a cabinet maker and he himself endorsed KILZ brand primer. It’s just one of those brands you can rely on, you know what I mean? And honestly… with how problematic life has been over the past year with so many unknowns, using KILZ is a simple solution in my mind.Christy, Oak Hill Millworks

    Speaking of problems, my old mudroom and I did NOT get along. It was all function and no form. It still had plaster and wood lath from the 1950’s – I knew it was going to require brand new drywall and some new built-ins for me to be really happy with the remodel. I knew I would have some unknowns to contend with because remodeling an older home can come with surprises like unlevel floors, out of square walls, and insufficient wiring. When KILZ offered to help out by sending me their primer & paint, I knew I was in good hands because like I said, with so many unknowns, it’s reassuring to have something you can depend on.

    Day 1 was #demoday! I did my best Chip Gaines impression and just ran straight through the old wall. Noooo, I didn’t do that. After all, our living room wall was on the other side so I had to be pretty careful with the removal of the old plaster and lath boards. I even saved a bunch of the wood lath because I want to make something out of it to pay homage to the old mudroom. I had to remove the existing bench that held a lot of our shoes but just was a total eyesore. I removed old baseboard and trim around the door, did A LOT of cleaning, and began to prep for building the new mudroom from the studs up. Here’s what it used to look like.

    Farmhouse Mud Room Before
    It served its purpose well enough but now I want something that is both form and function.

    After the new drywall was in, I installed my newly built bench and gave the walls an aesthetic facelift by adding board & batten. An important step to remember when doing any sort of DIY house project with wood, whether it is trim or moldings, is that you are going to need a quality acrylic based caulking to fill in any seams before you prime. Careful when selecting one – most are silicone based, which primer won’t adhere to as well. And just one more hot tip here even though this is not a blog post about caulk but I care about your sanity so I gotta say it: don’t go wild and cut a large opening for the caulk to come out of. The smaller the opening, the easier it will be to lay a nice bead of caulk down with a smoother finish. One less thing to worry about.

    When it was time to prime, I felt like I could finally relax. I’m telling you, using a brand like KILZ is like lounging into your favorite spot on the couch… it just feels right. Yes, this is the homestretch of your project if you’re looking into paints and primers. But make no mistake, you need to finish strong! Laying a solid foundation for your paint is of the utmost importance. And I can’t stress this enough…. Take the time to prep your space properly by laying down some inexpensive plastic drop sheets and using a quality painter’s tape to protect trim, baseboards, or whatever is nearby that you don’t want to get paint on. It – takes – time. It’s not fun! But your paint job will be better because of it and you’ll be happier in the long run.

    Unpainted Mudroom
    A fresh slate with brand new drywall, built-in bench, and board & batten. Time to prime, baby!

    Have you ever used drywall primer before? Just a heads up, it is going to be thicker than you might expect it to be. I will say though, I have worked with thicker primers/paints and they have been somewhat unpleasant to work with because they are too thick and therefor difficult to roll on. I thought the viscosity of KILZ Drywall was just right and it was my first time using that specific primer so I was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly it coated the fresh drywall. I did two coats with fantastic coverage and that’s impressive for brand new drywall that tends to absorb the primer. And if you are wondering if your roller matters…. It does. I’ll let you know in the Q & A at the end!

    Painter Rolling on KILZ DRYWALL primer
    Well on our way getting this mudroom looking amazing with KILZ Drywall primer!

    After the drywall got its first coat on, I grabbed KILZ 3® Premium primer and went to work beginning to prime the face frame of the new bench. A great primer like KILZ 3 Premium can make your DIY project a successful one, especially if you are using a knotty wood like pine. Knots in pine can release resins over time that can actually penetrate a layer of paint and leave you with an unattractive yellowish stain if you don’t use a sealing primer like KILZ to lay a proper foundation for your paint.

    Applying Kilz3 Premium Primer on Bench
    This bench was made out of a combination of poplar for the face frame and baltic birch for the carcass. This part is small enough that it could be done with either a brush or a small roller – both options get the job done.

    My next goal was to “trim out” the board & batten. This is when you use a brush to get into the corners and tighter spaces that a roller won’t reach. I like to trim out a few spots and then use my roller to fill in and slightly overlap where the brush left off. If you can manage to get the rolling going while the part you trimmed out is still wet, they will blend more seamlessly than it would if the brushed-on paint dries before you have a chance to roll the rest.

    Painting Trim with KILZ Premium 3 Primer
    It was so satisfying to be at this stage! My vision was becoming a reality and I was so pumped to be putting primer on!

    The primers both dried very quickly and allowed me to get to painting in just over an hour from when I applied the primer! It was incredibly helpful to be able to start AND finish priming and painting this room in a single day. I made sure to roll on the True White paint on the drywall first so that any accidental splatters would land on a primed bench below rather than a freshly painted one. If you don’t know this trick yet, you can always stick your roller in a bag or wrap it in foil and then put it in your refrigerator to keep the paint from drying if you need to take a short break.

    Rolling Primer on Mudroom Wall
    Yes, it’s true… the mudroom looked frighteningly similar to an asylum at this point but I promise… things are about to get really good!

    In three weeks, I had completely demolished the old room, rebuilt it, and given it new purpose. Instead of a messy drop-spot for our coats and shoes, my mudroom was transforming into a transition place. It was time to begin painting and I was growing more excited by the minute seeing my vision come to life. I had seen the new 1905 Green color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint line and knew I had to have it for the board and batten and everything below it. All the things! I was gonna paint the town… green.

    Before and after applying 1905 Green Paint
    After having a totally white room, the depth of this green was a little shocking at first but I knew I wanted the richness of it and couldn’t wait to see it all finished!

    You see, when you take the time to properly prepare and design a space, you can redefine it. A mudroom can be more than just the designated place to kick off shoes and hang jackets – I believe it can be the room that shifts your mindset upon coming home Returning home to our old mudroom made me irritable because it was often cluttered and wasn’t my style. My new mudroom with freshly painted walls and customized to my liking all the sudden feels like a room with purpose. I don’t know about you but when I come home to clutter, my mindset tends to immediately be more on the negative side. It’s incredible what paint & primer can do to transform a space, and ultimately, your mindset.Finished MudroomWell Made Mudroom 1905 Green

    Quick Tips from Christy:

    Q: I thought primer was just to cover up dark paint colors before painting with a new, lighter color. Do I really have to prime?

    A: Yes. You do. Primers lay a foundation that is multi-purpose. Primer is not just to make the aesthetics of your paint more pleasing. Although this is true, you should primarily view primer as a sealant.

    Q: A sealant?

    A: Yep, something that seals another material like drywall or wood. KILZ brand primers come in a variety of types to serve specific substrates. For me, I needed a primer specific to coating new drywall. Drywall has zero protection against moisture and, in fact, is engineered in such a way that can actually make it pretty susceptible to attracting water. Priming with KILZ Drywall primer is going to protect your drywall from moisture. If we’re talking about wood, using KILZ 3 Premium can seal in tannins and resins that are naturally found in wood to lock them in so that they don’t bleed through your topcoat.

    Q: Why is the moisture such a big deal?

    A: Materials like drywall & wood are porous in nature. This literally means that if not sealed properly, they can take on water. What’s the big deal, you ask? Sometimes this is a really sneaky amount of water that you have no idea is accumulating in a space. Over time, water can grow mold… and I’m a nurse too so I’ll try not to bore you with the health implications here but mold can be extremely dangerous for people with breathing conditions like asthma.

    Q: Does roller type/nap matter?

    A: Yes, it does, and I’m not the type of person to buy the insurance plan for my cell phone if that gives you any indication on whether or not you can trust me when I say this: roller quality is real and you need to spend the couple extra bucks for the higher quality roller. A ½” nap will work in most interior painting applications.

    Q: What’s one benefit of priming with KILZ that most people don’t think of?

    A: A layer of primer beneath paint actually makes your topcoat more durable! With a young family, my walls see a lot of action. Sports bags get chucked at them, shoes get kicked off, and lots and lots of hands touch the walls. Durability is something that my paint needs to have!

    Alright, there ya have it. Hope this was empowering, entertaining, or educational for you! Please reach out to me on Instagram at @oakhillmillworks with any other questions you might have. I’ll always do my best to help.

    Christy

    Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

      Tags:Tags: 1905 Green color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®, Drywall, KILZ 3 Premium Primer, Kilz Drywall, Primer Tips

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    Image of a variety KILZ products stacked in a pyramid.

    Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate

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    Bedroom with gold bed frame and brown bedding. Dark and masculine decor accents. Dark Green/Gray wall paint.

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      Main Header true color header

      Primer Tips

      Truer Color Starts Here

      March 30, 2020

      Imagine that you’ve spent hours scrolling through social media sites and flipping through magazines, on the hunt for the perfect paint color. Eventually, you zero in on a color family and visit a home improvement store to select a few paint chips or samples to take home. And finally, you’ve done it! You have your perfect paint color chosen and you’re ready to transform your space. But what if, when it’s finally on your walls, it doesn’t appear to be the color you selected? If you don’t use the right primer before painting, this could happen to you.

      When painting a light color over an existing dark color, a primer with a high-hiding formula is recommended. KILZ® 3 Premium primer is a water-based primer that has a thicker formula with enhanced hiding. Priming a dark wall with KILZ 3 Premium before you paint over it with a lighter color will assist in a truer and richer color from your topcoat.

      Specific surface types you might be painting can also affect how the final paint color turns out if the right primer isn’t applied first. If not properly sealed, porous surface like brick can soak up a lot of paint and cost you valuable time and money. Not to mention that if not properly primed, the typical red color of most brick can change the appearance of your paint color if the brick is not primed before it’s painted. For brick surfaces, we often recommend KILZ 2 All-Purpose or KILZ 3 Premium, depending on the color and current state of the brick surface.

      Main content true_color_collage

      New drywall is another porous surface on which the right primer can make a big difference. When painting over new drywall, we recommend priming first with KILZ® PVA Drywall Primer – a fast-drying, interior water-based primer formulated to prime and seal new, uncoated drywall. KILZ 1 Standard primer is another great primer to use on drywall.

      For almost any surface you’re working with, priming before painting is key to ensure that the paint color you selected will show up in its truest state

      Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

        Tags:Tags: Brick, Color, Drywall, Painting, Primer, Primer Tips, Products, Seal, Surface

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      Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate

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      THE CASTLE COLLECTION: THE BEDROOMS

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        A Primer on Renovating after Natural Disasters Header

        Primer Tips

        Renovating After Natural Disasters

        March 30, 2020

        Fixing or rebuilding a home after a natural disaster like a flood, hurricane or fire is no easy task. In the worst-case scenarios, the help of a professional contractor might be in order. But if you’re looking to DIY your renovation after a disaster has left your home with water, fire or smoke damage, KILZ® Primers can help! Trusted by pros for over 40 years, KILZ primers are often the go-to products for tackling stains caused by fires, floods and persistent exposure to smoke.

        If you’ve got your work cut out for you after a flood or fire has necessitated a renovation, KILZ® Original Interior Primer is made for the job. This hardworking oil-based primer is formulated to block heavy stains including those caused by water or smoke, and its fast-drying formula can help you get on with your renovation project faster.

        For restoration jobs on the outside of your home, KILZ Original Interior | Exterior Primer offers the same power of KILZ Original Interior Primer in an all-weather formula. Offering excellent adhesion and durability, KILZ Original Interior | Exterior can be used on wood, drywall, plaster, stucco, brick, masonry, paneling and more.

        A Primer on Renovating after Natural Disasters

        Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

          Tags:Tags: Brick, Drywall, Exterior, Interior, KILZ Original Interior Primer, Natural Disasters, Paneling, Plaster, Primer, Primer Tips, Products, Renovation, Stains, Stucco, Wood

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        Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate

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        Bedroom with gold bed frame and brown bedding. Dark and masculine decor accents. Dark Green/Gray wall paint.

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          Ultra Pure White

          Primer Tips

          How to Choose the Right Primer for Your Paint Project

          January 31, 2020

          Do your New Year’s resolutions include taking on that painting project you’ve been putting off? Or maybe you have a list of several different DIY home improvement projects on your list to complete in 2020. No matter the size or scope of your project, taking the time to do proper prep work will ensure results that you can be proud of for years to come. Prep can seem like a time-consuming extra step, but trust the pros, it’s worth the time spent.

          If your next DIY venture includes painting, the first step is choosing the right primer for your project. The KILZ® brand offers a family of primers to help you complete a wide range of painting projects and tackle a wide variety of common painting problems. With so many primers to choose from, how do you know which is right for your project? To start, assess the type of surface you will be painting.

          If you just moved into a new house or completed an addition and you’re painting new drywall, KILZ® PVA Drywall Primer or KILZ® 1 Standard Interior Primer are both made for the job. 

          Kilz PVA

          Perhaps you’re painting a surface that ordinary paint might not stick to, such as a slick glossy surface, aluminum, vinyl, ceramic tile or glass. In that case, KILZ® Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer is an excellent choice.

          Pro painters and DIYers alike are often in need of a primer that offers multiple surface solutions – which is why KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer is the choice of many! A fast drying, water-based multi-surface primer-sealer-stain blocker, it offers excellent adhesion, a mildew resistance primer film and can block light to medium stains like felt marker or minor water stains. It’s also a good choice for a simple color change, to ensure the truest color from your new topcoat.

          And for projects that require even heavier lifting, KILZ Restoration™ offers the performance of a traditional oil-based primer in a water-based formula and can tackled the toughest odors, stains and even fire damage.

          For those taking on more complex projects, including blocking smoke or pet odors, covering dark paint colors or heavy stains, there is a KILZ® Primer for you too! KILZ 3™ Premium is one of our more heavy-duty and high hiding formulas, making it ideally suited for blocking old dark colors or covering substantial stains.

          If you’re still unsure what primer to use for your next project, answer these simple questions below and don’t be afraid to ask a friendly pro at your local hardware or home improvement store for help.

          Choosing the Right Primer:

          1. Identify the surface type you will be painting.
          2. Assess any problems you need to tackle, such as stain or odor blocking, and determine the severity of the issue.
          3. Take into account any unique scenarios like needing a mildew resistance finish coat (good to keep in mind when painting moisture prone areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms), or if you’re covering a dark paint color with a new lighter hue.

          Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.

            Tags:Tags: Color, DIY'ers, Drywall, Exterior, Home Improvement, Interior, KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer, KILZ PVA, Odor, Paint, Pink, Primer, Primer Tips, Restoration, Stains, Surface, White

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          Image of a variety KILZ products stacked in a pyramid.

          Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate

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          THE CASTLE COLLECTION: THE BEDROOMS

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