Tag: KILZ Primer
Choose the Right KILZ® Primer for Your Substrate
February 23, 2023
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.
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.
Metal
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.
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!
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Primers for Small Projects
August 19, 2020As we move into the start of fall, there is still ample to tackle painting projects you might not have gotten to during the summer months before the winter and holiday season begins. Small projects that, including furniture repainting or refreshing, can be completed in as little as a day or a weekend – but can still make a big difference in the look and feel of your space.
Do you need to prime when painting a small piece of furniture? Our answer is emphatically yes! But do you need entire gallon of primer to get the job done? Most likely the answer there is no. KILZ® Brand offers a family of hardworking primers suitable for all types of painting projects large and small, indoor and outdoor. Trusted by pros for over 40 years, KILZ® Original Interior Primer is available in a convenient aerosol formula, ideal for small painting projects and spot priming interior surfaces.
If you’ve never used an aerosol primer before, we have a few tips to get you started! Similar to priming a wall or set of cabinets, when using an aerosol primer you’ll want to be sure the surface is clean and free of dust. For glossy surfaces, we recommend scuff sanding the surface before priming to ensure maximum adhesion. When using an aerosol primer, wearing eye protection is advised, as well as covering adjacent areas to protect from any primer overspray. For best results, you’ll want to use the aerosol primer at room temperature.
Once your area and surface are prepped, shake the primer can vigorously for one minute after the mixing ball begins to rattle, and shake often during use. Hold the can upright, moving from side-to-side while spraying lightly and evenly about 12″ from area being painted. We recommend 2-3 thin coats to produce the best results. Dry time for most of our aerosol primers is about one hour, and then you’re ready to paint!
If you don’t want the odor of an aerosol primer, we suggest KILZ Original Low-Odor Interior Aerosol Primer. Formulated with the same stainblocking performance as KILZ Original, it features fast odor dissipation technology which means no lingering odor†. Ideal for use in dining areas, small apartments and other areas which are sensitive to high odor levels.
For furniture pieces that might be exposed to the elements on your porch or patio, KILZ Original Interior | Exterior Aerosol Primer is a great choice. We used this primer as the first step in repainting a thrift-store furniture find, meant to be used as an outdoor dining chair. Another reason to use aerosol primers is when covering intricate and detailed surfaces, like the back of this chair. Not only did the aerosol primer work to seal the surface, but it made priming the scalloped details a breeze!
Looking for more small project priming and painting tips? Check out our recent post on using KILZ Chalk Style paint to upcycle furniture.
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.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
Dining Room Debate: Light or Bright?
August 11, 2020Is your dream dining room serving up pops of bright color, fun fabrics and fixtures? Or perhaps neutral tones and coastal inspired textures are your preferred dining room design menu? That is the question of this post, as we look at dining rooms styles from light to bright. No matter your style, we’re pretty sure there is one you will love!
Our dining room debate arose as we started a project to refresh an adorable dining nook. We knew we wanted to take the walls from the current dirty brown shade to an airy white hue, so first it was time to prime. To cover the light brown paint color, we chose KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer. This water-based primer offers excellent adhesion and easily covers light to medium colors. After properly priming the walls (and allowing them to dry!), we top coated with KILZ Complete Coat® Paint in White Wing. This sugar white shade has a cotton underdone and appears as a soft white in most light. For full step-by-step directions on covering both light and dark paint colors head over to our post Pro Tips for Painting Over a Dark or Light Wall.
The fresh white walls created a perfect blank canvas that could easily be the backdrop for a variety of color palettes. Inspired by the existing table and chairs, we started with a California Casual design style and played with neutral tones and textures. A new jute rug under the table anchored the space, while a fun basket-weave chandelier, sea-glass colored vase and ocean-inspired accessories completed the look.
Next up, it was time to turn this style on its head and go from light to bright! We brought in a bright white table and chalk-painted blue wooden chairs and an over-sized teal rug. Striped cushions and colorful brightened up the dining bench, while an array of three playful chandeliers came together to create a fun statement chandelier.
The newly primed and painted walls were the perfect backdrop for these two design styles, proving that white walls are far from boring. From bold and colorful, to sophisticated and neutral, the right white shade on your walls can open up a space to a myriad of design possibilities. Which style spoke to you?
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.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
Our Favorite 2020 Design Trends
January 7, 2020While the KILZ® brand is known first and foremost for our hardworking primers, color and design are also important to our team! Primer might technically be colorless, but it is a crucial step in adding color to your walls, cabinets and furniture pieces. Primer should often be the first step in achieving a new look for your space, so in a sense you can consider primer a part of the design process just as much as paint.
As we enter a new year, we’re excited to share a few color and design trends to help you along the way to completing your painting and renovation projects. Color and design trends are everywhere, and there is no one size fits all in terms of the hottest hue or best design style – but we’ve rounded up a few of our 2020 favorites to help inspire your project planning process in this new year.
Kitchens Are King:
In 2020, you’re going to see kitchen renovations and remodels popping like corn at the movies! (Translation: they’re everywhere and on everyone’s minds). In 2020, we’ll be exploring more kitchen color trends and design hacks on the blog to help you renovate your kitchen on budgets both big and small. 
Not Over Navy:
Blues and grays have been popular paint colors in recent years and we’re nowhere near done with them. From kitchens to bedrooms and cabinets to walls, navy can often act as a “dark neutral” to give a pop of color to a space while also keeping it classic. And we’re not alone in our love for navy, Pantone named Classic Blue the Color of 2020. Look out for some of our favorite shades of Navy in upcoming How-To posts later this year (spoiler alert – we’re painting everything from living room walls to dining room chairs in this easy to love shade!). 
Fireplaces that Pop:
Who doesn’t love the crackling of a warm fire on a cold winter’s day? And for a fireplace design that pops both inside and out, we’re loving bright white bricks against colored walls and monochrome fireplaces in unexpected shades. 
Full Circle Design:
Patterns and shapes are easy ways to add fun and unexpected touches to any room, and for 2020 we’re loving circles! From painting round pops of color on an accent wall to circular inspired décor items like mirrors, fabric and lighting, curved shapes and lines bring a nice softness to any design style. 
Color Blocking Children’s Spaces:
A little one’s room is the perfect place to play with pops of colors and interesting patterns or color placement. In 2019 we showcased a nursery makeover with a sweet striped wall, and we’re excited to explore more color blocking in 2020 for kid’s rooms.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
join the conversation:
SHARE this post: