Tag: Primer
Tips from the Team
January 17, 2023
Here on the Perfect Finish, we are starting the year 2023 with our favorite paint category: Primer! Thomas McEvoy, a KILZ product trainer and training content developer, teaches us the importance of preparing the surfaces of your home and using primer during any painting project. Thomas’s favorite part of working for Behr Paint Company and with the KILZ team is the people and their enthusiasm to make the best products and service experience for our customers. Thomas has been with Behr for 20 years and is here to share his experience with you to help get prepared for your painting project.
Why should an individual prep the surfaces of their home?
Preparation is critical because most paint failures, such as paint peeling, old color bleeding through, and wear and tear over time, occur because of skipped prep steps. The best way to prep the surface is to promote adhesion (how the paint sticks to the surface), sealing (adding a protective coat), and stain-blocking if needed. Using a suitable primer promotes adhesion by bonding the surface that adheres to the topcoat. Using the right primer can achieve the aspects of a properly prepared surface.
How do I properly prepare a surface before priming and painting?
Here are a few ways to prepare your surface.
1. Lightly sand hard or slick surfaces to promote adhesionSanding can also remove physical imperfections accumulated over time. Any surface that has been lightly sanded during prep will usually lead to a softer texture after painting.
2. Painting over unsealed surfaces can lead to color variation, unevenness in paint sheen, the need to apply more paint, and, eventually, the peeling of the paint. Using a good primer is an important step before painting.
3. When stain-blocking is needed, only the right primer can ensure no bleed through the topcoat. This prep step is critical to ensure we paint over a sound surface.
When is the best time to prepare your surface?
The best time to prep the surface is before you paint and after clearing the space as much as possible and protecting surfaces like carpet and furniture. Time spent on prep will save frustration and added expense later.
What tools do I need to prepare a surface?
There are many tools to have in a paint kit for current and future projects. A large plastic tote can hold several drop cloths and most smaller tools. I recommend the following tools to get the job done right:
• Dust mask
• Sanding pad, 80-200 grit
• Pole sander with sandpaper, 60-80 grit
• Step ladder
• Painter’s tape for protecting baseboards, doors, and window casing
• Drop cloths, canvas, or other reusable material
• Plastic, for protecting furniture
• Rags to wipe dirty and dusty surfaces
Having the right tools is a critical part of project success. Most of these tools can be used again for many other projects.
Where do I go to find the right primer?
Check out KILZ.com to research the right primer for your project. After, visit your local hardware store or retailer to engage with a thoughtful paint associate that can help with what works for you, and secure the rest of the tools needed for a successful project.
Can I do this myself? Or should I call an expert?
Both are options! You can do this job, or if you prefer, you can call a professional painter to complete your project. Check out your local hardware store and ask a paint associate to help coordinate what is needed for your specific project.
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
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Best KILZ® Primer Products to Use After a Natural Disaster
August 31, 2022When disaster strikes, it’s natural for you to feel defeated. Especially when you finally can assess the damages. Smoke residue from a fire or mold and mildew that creeps in after flood waters recede is a considerable challenge in the renovation process. In many cases, disaster recovery calls for the help of a professional. But if you want to DIY your restoration, KILZ® Primers can help with your painting project. Let’s look at the best KILZ® primers for situations you may encounter in the aftermath of a disaster.
Best KILZ® Primers for Inside the Home
For Smoke Damage
Covering smoke and soot is a tough challenge when painting the interior of your home. Whether the damage came from a wood-burning fireplace or a kitchen fire, you don’t want it to bleed through your fresh paint. That’s why cleaning it properly and using the correct primer before painting is essential. If you have smoke damage in your home, follow these steps to cover it.
1. Clean the surface using a dry cleaning sponge. These natural rubber sponges have tiny, porous cells that work to lift the soot from the surface without smearing or streaking.
2. Wash the surface with a grease-cutting dish detergent and water.
3. Rinse with a solution of one part water and three parts vinegar.
Once the walls and ceiling are squeaky clean, it’s time to prime. Properly applied, primers provide a foundation coat that ensures the topcoat looks its best and lasts longer. The following KILZ® Primer products work tirelessly at blocking smoke stains and odors.
• KILZ® ORIGINAL Oil-Based Primer blocks most heavy interior stains, including smoke, and is suitable for wood, drywall, plaster, paneling, wallpaper, masonry, and brick.
• KILZ® ORIGINAL Interior/Exterior Primer is a fast-drying oil-based sealer that blocks the most severe stains, including those from smoke and fire. And it seals against any lingering smoke odors. Use it on interior and exterior surfaces, including wood, drywall, plaster, brick, stucco and masonry.
• KILZ RESTORATION® Primer (Formerly KILZ MAX) is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker you can cover with either a water-based or oil-based topcoat. Performing like traditional oil and shellac-based primers, it blocks tough stains like smoke and seals against its odor. Use it on drywall, wood, plaster, masonry, and brick.
For Water Damage
Anyone who’s lived through a flood understands the shock after the water recedes. There’s a definitive line marking the water level. The drywall is ruined, ugly stains are everywhere, and the smell is nauseating. Unfortunately, the odor comes from another set of problems for homeowners who want to repair the damage left behind–bacteria, mold, and mildew. And all are challenging to cover with paint. If this sounds like what you’re facing after a hurricane, tornado, or flood, KILZ® Primers can help.
Once clean-up is complete and all soil, mold, and mildew removed, you’re ready to prime the surfaces for painting. The following KILZ® Primer products are the best choice for blocking water stains, sealing against odors, or preventing mold and mildew from recurring.
• KILZ® ORIGINAL Oil-Based Primer blocks most heavy interior stains, including water, and is suitable for wood, drywall, plaster, paneling, wallpaper, masonry, and brick.
• KILZ® ORIGINAL Interior/Exterior Primer blocks the most severe water stains and seals against any persistent odors. Use it on interior and exterior surfaces, including wood, drywall, plaster, brick, stucco and masonry.
• KILZ RESTORATION® Primer is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker that blocks tough stains from heavy water stain damage and seals against unwanted odor. Use it on drywall, wood, plaster, masonry, and brick. And topcoat with either water-based or oil-based paint.
• KILZ 2® ALL-PURPOSE Primer (Previously KILZ 2 Latex) is a water-based primer with a mild odor. It’s suitable for multiple surfaces with excellent adhesion and primes, seals, and blocks medium stains from mild water damage. It also has a mildew resistant finish.
• KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer dries fast, has low odor, and is very low in VOCs. In addition, this water-based primer has excellent adhesion, provides a mildew-resistant coating, and blocks most medium to heavy stains caused by water. Use it on interior and exterior woodwork, drywall, plaster, paneling, masonry, and brick.
Best Primer for Damage Outside Your Home
Fire, hurricanes, and other storm damage happen outside your home just as readily as inside. For restoration jobs on exterior surfaces, the following KILZ® primers provide excellent adhesion and durability on most surfaces.
• KILZ® ORIGINAL Interior/Exterior Primer
• KILZ® MOLD and MILDEW Primer
Before Disaster Happens
Primers provide a foundation coat that solves various surface problems, ensuring the topcoat looks best and lasts longer. While it cannot prevent any physical damage from natural disasters, a primer does help the paint stick to the wall better and more evenly, thereby helping to avoid damage to some degree. So, before a tragedy, remember to prime your surfaces with KILZ® primers correctly.
Trusted by pros for over 40 years, most homeowners choose KILZ® products for tackling stains and odors caused by fires, floods, and smoke. They’re available where most paints are sold.
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. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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A DIY Bathroom You Can’t Wait to Show Off
August 31, 2022While your bathroom isn’t exactly a gathering place like most of the other rooms in your house, it’s one of the most visited. If that’s not reason enough to make it as comfortable and pleasant as possible, our bathroom inspiration makeover will give you just the push you need to elevate yours with style and functionality in mind.
If you’ve ever visited a bathroom outside your home and been impressed by its aesthetic, you know this is a room with great potential to shine. And while our bathroom renovation is modest and family friendly, it has its own unique flair as well. Our simple, yet chic, farmhouse-inspired look is basic enough to work inside any home, but with a few thoughtful details, it’s also distinguished and refined.
After the initial labor—removing the drywall, fixtures, bathtub, etc.—we were able to prime the old, brown walls before applying a fresh coat of paint. Because of the moisture-prone nature of a bathroom, the ideal choice for this job was KILZ® Mold and Mildew Primer. This water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker is specially designed for residential surfaces in high humidity, moisture, and temperature environments.
Taking our bathroom walls from dark to light, was a breeze thanks to our primer’s ability to hide the previous color. It offers excellent adhesion and provides a solid anchor for paints. The EPA-registered active ingredient in this primer creates a mold and mildew-resistant film, specially formulated to protect the primed surfaces from these issues so you can paint with confidence.
Once dry, painting the walls with a bright, yet neutral white, could not have been simpler. The paint went on smooth and blemish-free, and thanks to our primer, no traces of the previous, dull, brown paint could poke through. Natural light from the window made it easy to build upon the brightness in this space with finishing touches from the fixtures, tile, lighting, and décor. Lastly, the sliding glass shower door creates clean lines, beautiful transparency, and an overall modern feel.
To update an older bathroom, you’ll want to first consider the scope of the project. For example, our renovation included a newly-tiled shower, brand new flooring, updated lighting and fixtures, and a modern vanity. We chose to accentuate brightness by adding decorative accents to complement the color palette, however, you may choose a look that’s vibrant and colorful or something more bold and dramatic. Working out the details is where you get to put on your designer hat and let your creativity shine.
At the end of the day, the perfect primer is essential to achieving a beautiful result, which is why we can’t recommend KILZ products enough for jobs like these. We hope this bathroom makeover inspires you to assemble your group, or embark solo, and create something special in one the most-visited areas of your home.
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. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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Creating a Family Room that Brings People Together
August 1, 2022Ready to breathe new life into the heart of your home this year? Start your family room renovation before the holiday chaos, and enjoy a space that feels cozy and bright all year long. Your family room should invite people in, feel comfortable, and encourage togetherness, and with the right template, you can create a room that’s not only gorgeous, but also practical, warm, and perfect for gathering with loved ones.
With so many family room designs to choose from, it’s up to you to find the perfect one. We were inspired by a modern farmhouse look, which we achieved with soft white paint, dark accents, and carefully styled décor. Taking our room from light to dark required that we first primed the walls for a better paint application, so we chose KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, which simplified the job thanks to its multipurpose formula.
It’s fast drying, water-based, and able to be used on multiple surfaces—such as plaster, drywall, wood, and brick. Great at blocking stains, it also has excellent adhesion, and is mildew resistant with a very mild odor. KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer helps lessen the number of coats of paint required—a perfect solution for making over your family room quickly and professionally with minimal disruption to your life.
Once primed and dried, we got to work painting our accent walls and cubbies with BEHR® Interior Paint in Carbon N520-7. We also added this color to the inner window framing, to add a bit of depth, and to the beams across the ceiling to further complete the farmhouse look.
For contrast, we used BEHR® Interior Paint in two shades of white to brighten up the rest of the space. For the walls, we chose Shoelace OR-W13, and Ultra Pure White® for the trim and ceiling. The dark accents work to draw focus to the back wall—housing the fireplace and TV—and allowed us to situate the furniture in a way that creates a natural gathering space inside the room. From here, it was time to get creative and have fun with the décor.
Choosing a neutral color palette was an easy decision because it worked well with the existing brick detail and created an added layer of warmth. We wanted the room to feel relaxed and cozy, yet modern and sophisticated, which our beige couch and area rug help achieve. We brightened up the cubbies with a few wicker baskets, ceramic bowls, and vases, and sprinkled in a bit of greenery around the room. Our wooden coffee table pulls focus to the room’s center, while hints of blue and gray in the pillows and throw help to create a finished farmhouse look.
As always, we hope you find this room transformation inspiring. It’s easy to start any project—big or small— with the help of any KILZ® Primer. Whether you choose to embark on this project with friends or family, or go at it alone, once completed, your beautiful, new family room will reward you with memories for years to come. With a bit of time and effort, it’s easy to give your loved ones the gift of togetherness this year.
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. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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PRO SPOTLIGHT: Make A Front Door Pop with Jared Foster
June 30, 2022With two little ones and running a carpentry business, free time is something that is not easy to come by, so I am always looking for ways to get quality work done more quickly around the house. Being a carpenter, you’d think that my home would always be in tip top shape, but sadly, my personal home is usually the last home I get any work done on. Turns out having two little boys running around means dirt, grime, and messiness can be a pretty normal part of everyday life. But my wife has been wanting to spruce up the front porch area a bit, since this is typically the first part of your home people will see.
We have this amazing porch swing that I built and we wanted to continue the theme of calm and relaxation as people approached our steps, so we decided to paint the door using Tidal, a navy color from Behr Paint, and Pasha Brown, a brown shade also made by Behr, for the trim. Before any painting got done, we needed to clean and prime the area to ensure the longevity of the paint and look. That’s why we chose KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer. KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer is a superior quality primer that offers excellent adhesion to both the surface and the topcoat. It dries fast, has a low odor and low VOC which makes it a great choice for a primer. The primer includes stain-blocking properties that block most medium-to-heavy stains caused by water, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker and grease which is essential when you have little ones.
The first step that I needed to take care of was pressure washing the front door and the areas around it to help loosen up and remove the gunk that built up over time. If you’re working with a time crunch, it’s best to utilize some shop rags or towels to soak up the excess water, as this can help speed up the drying process. Otherwise, you can simply let it air dry while you get other things done on your weekend to-do list. After the area dried, I laid down some painter’s paper to get the sanding done with less cleaning up on the backend. Sanding will even out all the old paint and remove any chipped pieces of paint on the door and the trim.
One thing I noticed is that whoever last painted the door to our home, didn’t utilize any primer, as it was really easy for some of the old paint to just peel off in chunks. Priming is a step worth taking, because it can help save time and money in the long run. Living in Atlanta means humid weather and using something like KILZ 3® Premium Interior and Exterior Primer would have helped keep this from happening over time, regardless of the weather conditions. Priming is fundamental for completing any paint project. It is the difference between a job done and a job done right.
After sanding, I just utilized a leaf blower to get the excess dust off the porch, any extra can just be wiped off. When my son came out onto the porch after his nap, he asked me “daddy, can I help you paint?” One of the aspects of doing projects from home that I enjoy most is being able to have my children join in. It reminds me of the times that I spent learning how to be handy around the house with my pops as a kid. I was able to get my son to help me put down more painter’s tape. This isn’t really a time saving hack, but it’s worth the few extra minutes to let him assist me, as much as a 2-year-old can. We put down more painter’s paper and tape on the trim, door, floor, and walls of the front of the house where we’d be spraying the paint to help save on clean up time.
I chose not to tape off the windows, because if I sprayed anything on the windows I could have quickly used a razor blade to scrape it off once it dried, which would give you a crisp clean finish and save time. Another way to save time would be by removing the door entirely. This would allow you to spray the door separately from the trim and not have to worry about taping anything off again.
Then it was time to prime the trim and the door. A huge benefit of using KILZ 3® Premium Interior and Exterior Primer is its thicker consistency and high hiding capability which is essential when painting over an existing color and converting from a dark or bold color to a lighter one. KILZ 3® Premium Interior and Exterior Primer is a powerful stain blocker and will block color bleed-through and other stains.
Once I laid on the primer and allowed it to dry, I was able to spray the door and trim using BEHR® paint, remove all the paper and tape and enjoy the new look. All and all, this project was completed in 48 hours and honestly, I was really looking forward to getting it done. Having used KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer I knew this door color would pop, giving me Instagram-worthy photo finishes and people will feel even more welcomed when they visit!
*This is a paid partnership with Jared Foster.
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Pro Spotlight: KILZ Restoration Tips with Daniel Ruiz
May 26, 2022Let’s take a deep dive into the life of a professional painter, Daniel Ruiz. Daniel brings over 22 years of painting experience with the mission to enhance and beautify people’s ideas and help bring those ideas to fruition. His father was the jack of all trades that carried his skills from their hometown in Mexico to the states. As his family grew, so did their home and he enjoyed working side by side with his father, grabbing hammers, screwdrivers, nails, etc., to eventually completing a painting project. As a teenager, he was always intrigued by art on the freeways and later combined his love of street art with his painting skills for additional income. Here on the Perfect Finish, we are going to dive into a few questions with Daniel on how he gets the job done right.
What projects do you (Daniel) enjoy the most?
Most of my projects are residential projects on the interior and exterior of the home. I like changing personal spaces. Kitchens, bedrooms, I really feel like color helps change the atmosphere and the feel of a space. Could make them feel more at home or open the space and that makes them feel good which makes me feel good.
Why is a primer important and do you need to use a primer for every paint job?
Primer is the layer of protection that gives your paint a better base and grips to your paint as well as helps to bring out the true color of your paint. It is the best thing to do to make sure your job starts off with a clean canvas. Prime every time before you paint. Wash your walls, prime with a coat of primer and two coats of paint. This provides your wall with multiple coats of protection.
Why choose KILZ Primers?
KILZ Primer is available, front and center, at most hardware stores. It is my go-to brand because it’s available, trustworthy, and I can rely on it for all my projects. It impacts my reputation that I can paint once and create long lasting coverage that speaks volumes to my customers.
For people who aren’t sure, when would you spray, roll, or brush when applying primer and paint products?
It is all about the different textures. Sprayers will have the finest finish, rollers will leave the best texture for high traffic areas, and brush for smaller areas, touch-ups, and cutting in. Brushes and rollers leave the best texture for high-traffic areas. I like sprayer applications because you can get into every nook and cranny. Sometimes spraying in homes can be difficult due to over-spray and lingering odors. It is also the quickest method.
Why did you specifically choose KILZ Restoration® Primer for this job?
The previous tenant was a smoker and KILZ Restoration Primer helps block out the smoke smell and lingering odors in the ceiling and walls.
What general advice would you have for someone who has never done a DIY project?
1. Research – Most hardware stores have samples. Always pick up a few options and paint a section of the room. Get a feel for how the color works with the lighting in the space or the furniture in your home. The color may look nice in store but might not compliment the things you already own.
2. Be Prepared – Protect the space with drop cloths or plastic wrapping. Paint is like water and can get everywhere. Make sure you get everything out of the way and cover all the items you don’t want painted. A little bit of extra prep-work goes a long way.
3. Buying Product – In the past, I would always say go to the store and inspect everything in person, especially for first time DIYers. Since I am a professional painter, I know what types of tools I like to work with so I will order products online and while I wait for them to arrive, I use the time to do all my prep work. Masking the floor, covering the furniture, and putting all our drop cloths down in just the right place.
This is a paid partnership with Daniel Ruiz.
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. Check out our KILZ Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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Restoration vs. Original – What’s the Difference?
February 25, 2022
For the last 7 years, John Golamco has led the primer category at KILZ®. He is the Product Manager representing this category and has over 25 years of collective experience in sales and marketing. He lives in Southern California and enjoys traveling and cooking when he isn’t priming various surfaces!
Why are we comparing KILZ® Original and KILZ Restoration® Primers?
When our customers have a project that involves severe stains and/or persistent unwanted odors, they turn to KILZ primers. Two products that help solve these problems are KILZ Restoration water-based primer and KILZ Original oil-based primer. KILZ Restoration is an innovative water-based primer which provides similar performance in stain and odor blocking as the long-established oil-based KILZ Original primer. Shellac and oil-based are traditionally better known to block severe stains especially water-soluble stains.
What are the differences between KILZ Original & Restoration Primers?
KILZ Original is an oil-based primer and stain blocker which can block/seal severe stains and odors but has higher volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) which are organic chemical compounds that vaporize and enter the atmosphere. It also has a stronger solvent odor and requires mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean-up. KILZ Restoration is a water-based primer which also blocks severe stains and odors, however, has lower VOC’s which meets all national regulations. It is also a low odor primer and has easy clean-up with soap and water.
What is an oil-based primer? What are the benefits?
Oil-based primers are better at blocking or sealing stains, especially water-soluble stains. They’re also superior at blocking tannin. Oil-based primers have natural (i.e. linseed oil) and synthetic (i.e. alkyd oil) variants as their base technology. Alkyds have become popular in recent decades due to more easily sourced raw materials, lower cost and durability of the coating film.
TOP BENEFITS
1. It dries to a hard finish, making it durable against wear and weather.
2. Feels thick to apply and feels like it adheres well upon application which makes for an outstanding application experience.
3. Penetrates wood fibers well, making it ideal in sealing and protecting the wood.
4. Slower dry time compared to water-based which has some advantage in giving more open time to apply and for touch-ups.
KILZ Original interior primer for example, is a legacy product trusted by pro painters for 50 years! It delivers excellent stain blocking, odor blocking, adhesion performance, durability and is a fast-drying oil so pros can get more done in less time. KILZ Original line of oil-based primers use top quality modified alkyd resins as the base technology of their primer formulas.
What is a water-based primer? What are the benefits?
Water-based primers, also known as “latex” primers, are easier to clean (using soap and water), dry fast and have low VOC’s, making them healthier to use for you and the environment. In terms of their formulations, water-based primers, like water-based paints, use water as the solvent. Several other ingredients such as binders, pigments, fillers, and additives are then mixed in to create the final product.
TOP BENEFITS
1. Not combustible or flammable.
2. Low in odor making it ideal for use in interior spaces while oil-based needs very good ventilation.
3. The advancements in coatings technology have allowed water-based primers to dramatically improve and are beginning to perform on par with oil-based primers in terms of adhesion, stain blocking, and even odor blocking; and they have a faster dry time which saves time and money.
KILZ 2® ALL-PURPOSE, which is KILZ best-selling primer, is an acrylic polymer since it uses an acrylic plastic resin as its base ingredient – this is what makes the primer stick well to the surface and gives topcoat paint a sound, uniform surface to stick to – making it look better and last longer. KILZ RESTORATION is a new innovation in water-based primer technology which gives this product the performance of an oil-based (in severe stain blocking and odor blocking) but with the low VOC’s, low odor, easy clean-up and faster drying time that water-based provides. It’s the “best of both worlds”!
When would you choose to use an oil-based primer over a water-based primer? And vice versa?
TEAM OIL-BASED
• Choose an oil-based primer if priming over a previous oil-based paint and/or priming on fresh wood.
• Oil-based will seal the wood better and block any tannin stains that might bleed out.
• Oil-based is also ideal if blocking smoke and water stains as well as unwanted odors.
TEAM WATER-BASED
• Choose water-based if priming indoors where ventilation may be poor and in spaces sensitive to strong odors.
• Ideal choice when projects require a lower VOC level product, there is a flammability concern, and/or there is preference for clean-up without the use of harsh chemicals.
• State and local regulations might make oil-based products limited in availability or access. In such cases, water-based is a great choice.
What are the best use cases for Oil-based? For Water-based? Project examples?
Oil-Based: priming over water stains on ceiling tiles or priming over bare wood especially redwood varieties that bleed tannin/sealing wood knots would be some specific examples of best use cases for oil-based. Also ideal for blocking/sealing severe stains especially water-soluble stains that might be “activated” and bleed through if a water-based primer is used. Oil-based primers are also durable since they dry to a harder finish. KILZ Original Interior/Exterior primer for example is an excellent choice for exterior application due to its weather resistance, especially on wood surfaces.
Water-Based: priming indoor walls and cabinets in a space with limited ventilation or a project where low VOC emissions are a requirement. In both cases, do not apply too many coats of the primer. Even if the primer does not look like a finished coat, it is adequate to do the job of sealing the surface, blocking the stain (if any) and laying a good foundation coat to help the topcoat adhere (stick). It’s the paint’s job to completely cover everything and deliver the expected final color. The primer will help the paint look its best. A paint coatings calculator is available on https://www.kilz.com/calculator.
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.
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Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration®
October 27, 2021
Here on The Perfect Finish, we have shared the importance of Primer in a variety of room transformation projects, from changing paint colors to painting kitchen cabinets. In this post, we are taking the conversation to a larger scale, looking at whole home renovations from a Pro’s perspective. We were excited to chat with Dustin Almquist, a contractor in Pennsylvania with experience in both real estate and property investment.
Dustin shares how KILZ Restoration® Interior Primer is vital to his whole home renovation jobs and why he believes a transformation of a whole house can change the perspective of the entire neighborhood. Read on to learn how he gets the job done right every time.
Tell us about your recent restoration job using KILZ Restoration Primer.
This project was a full house renovation. The last owners had the home for decades, and regular maintenance wasn’t done. It needed new electricity, plumbing, kitchen, bathroom, roof, windows, flooring, and of course primer and paint. The walls were old plaster that had some major cracking. After making extensive repairs, it was important to prep the walls for paint. Since many of the walls had old oil-based paint or paneling, it was important to use a primer that I could trust.
Why did you choose KILZ Restoration® Primer for this project?
This property is used as a rental. I wanted to ensure that I am getting a long-lasting, durable wall coating. When it is time for a topcoat, I need to know that I won’t have adhesion issues. KILZ Restoration® Primer gave me the security that a topcoat will apply evenly and have great adhesion. Additionally, the coverage of the old surface was going to need a serious primer. Using a lesser primer would have left me with exposed stains and old wall color bleed through.
• KILZ Restoration® Interior Primer is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker offering the performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains including heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains, and more.
What benefits did it bring to the job that another primer might not?
KILZ’s reputation of quality products is second to none and KILZ Restoration® Primer is the real deal. The old oil-based paint on the walls had some small cracks and splitting, but it was no match for the Restoration Primer. It is quite thick, so it filled those problem areas, yet still dried evenly and smoothly.
Where did you use KILZ Restoration® Primer at the project site?
The whole home! The house contained three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room.
Have there been any other projects when KILZ came to the rescue?
I am currently working on another rental property in the same town. The entire interior needs to be painted. Again, since this house will be used as a rental, I want to trust that the work I do today can last for years to come. I have primed the entire house using an array of KILZ primers.
Would you recommend using KILZ primers for any project?
I have yet to be disappointed in any use of KILZ primers. Each application has provided me with the results I need.
Do you have any other tips for a home restoration project?
Make sure to plan! When you get into restoration, time is money. It is so tempting to take shortcuts to save yourself time. Many people don’t think about the amount of time in the future they are costing themselves when taking those shortcuts. Take the time to do the work correctly the first time. It will pay dividends tomorrow!
What additional tools would you need to get the job done?
Paint sprayers, pans, rollers, roller covers, brushes, scrapers, extension poles, drop clothes, painters’ tape, buckets, ladders, rags, caulks/sealants, brush cleaner, paint thinner, stir sticks. You name it! It seems like you always run out of something right when you need it.
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.
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Moody Master Bathroom Makeover
May 1, 2020For this month’s inspiration post we’re introducing a brand new KILZ® Primer that will help us transform a dated bathroom into a moody and dramatic retreat. The original bathroom’s design was living in the past, and not in a good way! An old wooden vanity and unattractive laminate flooring needed to go, but before a new vanity could be brought in, we needed to do something about those boring beige walls.
Creating a dramatic new space was the goal, so we knew a dark paint color would be used on the walls. And even though we were painting over a lighter color, priming first before painting was a crucial step. In addition to helping to ensure a truer color from our chosen topcoat, the primer used in this project offered a bathroom-essential benefit. We used the new KILZ® Mold & Mildew Primer for this bathroom makeover, as it creates a mold and mildew-resistant primer film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth.
This water-based primer-sealer-stainblocker is specially designed for high humidity, moisture and temperature environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, powder rooms and laundry rooms. It offers excellent adhesion to both interior and exterior surfaces and provides a sound anchor for paints.
Once the walls were properly primed with KILZ® Mold & Mildew and allowed to dry, it was time to paint. A deep emerald green was the perfect paint color for the walls and complemented the new black vanity. Brushed gold sinks, black and white tile and an oversized art deco-inspired mirror added sophistication to the space and completed the master bathroom transformation.
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.
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get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
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