Tag: Products
Our Favorite Projects of 2022
November 17, 2022The end of the year is right around the corner, which means it’s time to look back on some of our biggest accomplishments of 2022. What better way to recap the last 12 months than to revisit some of your favorite projects? From kitchens to bathrooms to living spaces, 2022 did not disappoint. When it came to updating, revamping, and overhauling, the year was full of inspiring home makeovers, so let’s recap some of our biggest standouts, and get excited to tackle another year of home improvement.
1. How to Prime Kitchen Cabinets for Color That Pops
You may remember this gorgeous kitchen update from earlier in the year. This project featured three different kitchen inspirations, all using KILZ 3®PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer, which came to life thanks to varied design concepts and paint combos that gave the original space some much needed personality. Two toned kitchen cabinets were a theme for this project, and using subtle, yet distinct colors that played off one another, we achieved a polished effect that would make any pro proud. See the full project.
2. Pro Spotlight: Angela Cacace Creates a Spacious and Fresh Feeling Bathroom
This outdated bathroom was in desperate need of a makeover, and pro designer and contractor, Angela Cacace, took everything from budget to aesthetic to difficulty into consideration. She used KILZ® Mold and Mildew Resistant Primer to start, and then finished the room using light and airy paint selections from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® collection to make the bathroom feel fresh, bright, and spacious. Achieving the creamy and neutral result was no small feat considering the hot pink “before” color of the walls and the heavy black cabinets. Primer was an absolute must for this project, and the true star of the show. See the full project.
3. Restoration vs. Original – What’s the Difference?
For this article, we talked to John Golamco, Project Manager and Primer Category lead with the KILZ® brand. His 25 years of experience gave him critical insight into this category. He explained the fundamental differences between the primers and compared them in more detail. According to John, KILZ® Original is an oil-based primer that works great for blocking severe stains and odors. It also has a more pungent solvent odor and requires mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean up. KILZ Restoration® on the other hand is a water-based primer that also blocks severe stains and odors but has lower VOCs and meets all national regulations. It’s a low-odor primer and can be cleaned up easily using soap and water. See the full article.
4. PRO SPOTLIGHT: Make A Front Door Pop with Jared Foster
We know a thing or two about details, which is exactly what we wanted to highlight with this front door refresh. Carpenter, Jared Foster, sought to complement the already calm vibe of his front porch with an equally relaxed color scheme, and he walked us through his process in bringing it to life. “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. Having used KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior and Exterior Primer,I knew this door color would pop,” said Jared. See the full project.
5. Creating a Family Room that Brings People Together
This chic, yet cozy family room makeover was all about encouraging togetherness. Using a modern farmhouse look as inspiration, we crafted a similar feel with soft white paint, dark accents, and intentional décor. Taking the room from light to dark meant priming the walls for the best possible paint application, so we used KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, which made the job a breeze thanks to its great adhesion and fast-drying formula. The finished room breathed new life into a familiar space and created a relaxed, yet sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for spending time with loved ones. See the full project.
This was a great year for DIY home makeovers, and even though the year is ending, we’re not slowing down. Whether you’re taking a little break or busy planning next year’s projects, we hope this inspirational list gives you the motivation you need to make your vision come to life. Thanks for spending the year with us. We can’t wait to see what new ideas you’ll bring to life in 2023.
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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THE CASTLE COLLECTION: TEN NEW COLORS FROM MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES®
October 14, 2022
The Castle Collection has been released by Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines®, a paint palette of ten brand new colors inspired by Magnolia’s Castle renovation, a historic landmark in Waco, Texas. The Castle Collection is comprised of ten rich and timeless paint colors that honor the Castle’s history, each specially designed and curated by Joanna Gaines.
“I wanted to honor the history of the castle with rich, unique colors that would complement its grand and traditional aesthetic, while still creating a timeless palette for any style of home.” – Joanna Gaines
The Castle restoration is the centerpiece of the Gaines’s newest season of their hit TV show. A special edition of their series Fixer Upper: The Castle premiered on the Gaines’ Magnolia Network, Discovery+ and HBO Max on October 14th, 2022. The season follows Chip and Joanna through six episodes of the restoration journey, including the development of The Castle Collection color palette.
Different personal connections or Castle inspirations helped Joanna to name each of the ten unique colors from the Castle collection palette. They are used through the completed castle, and will be featured on Fixer Upper: The Castle.
Rosy Pink: A dusty subtle pink with a nostalgic tone
Castle Cream: A creamy, soft white with a timeless essence
Step Stool Green: A lively, deep olive
Cottage Grove: A moody navy infused with a deep green hue
Drawing Room: A soft French Gray
Estate: A deep sage, with a soft gray undertone
Conservatory: A rich and warm dark charcoal gray
Plaster: A light beige with a warm soothing tone
Moody Fig: A beautifully saturated burgundy
Vintage Crown: an elegant, muted gold
These paint colors are now available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Magnolia.com/shop.
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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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Pro Spotlight: Kenny and Kate Transform Historic Tin Bedroom Ceiling
August 31, 2022Hi there! We are Kenny and Kate-Home Renovation/DIY husband and wife duo based in northern Alabama. Although most of the time you will find us renovating a space or DIYing a project, on the weekends we can often be found on a hike at our nearby state park with our daughter Remi. Whether playing fetch with one of our three dogs, Kessa, Scout, and Lola or snuggling our guinea pigs, Kipper and Gus, we are also huge animal lovers. Our DIY journey began when we purchased our little 1972 fixer-upper home in 2019. We began renovating the home room by room and ultimately fell in love with the process of transforming each space. When most of the world was shut down in 2020, we found comfort in making our home a place of peace and restoration. We loved it so much that in January of 2021 we started our own local home remodeling business, Kaleidoscope Home Co. LLC, to help others embrace and improve the spaces that make up their homes. As the business grew, so did we. By the end of 2021, we had decided to sell our 1972 fixer-upper home and purchase an 1800s downtown brick mercantile building to live in/operate our business out of. That building is currently where we reside. Our business is located on the ground level and our living space is located on the second floor.
Because the decision to purchase and move into the building was made rather quickly, we did not have the time or resources to renovate any of the spaces before moving in. Our daughter, Remi, has been sleeping in a makeshift closet area for the last seven months. It is finally time to give her the room she deserves!
As mentioned above, this is a commercial property (now zoned for mixed-use). This means it does not have designated bedrooms. We have quite literally built Remi’s “big girl bedroom” from the ground up in a portion of the upstairs loft. Now that the walls are up, the closet and bed are built, and the hardwood floors are sanded, it is time to paint the ceiling. The beautiful, crimson red ceiling color works wonderfully in the rest of the building, however, it is just not the vibe in this room. We are painting the walls green and we’re afraid it would look like the holiday season threw up in here. So, as you might have guessed, we’ve decided to paint the ceiling a creamy white color. The historical tin ceilings in this building are worth preserving, and we believe a creamy white color will help accentuate all of the intricate details.
Although the ceilings were previously painted, there are spots where the paint has been chipped or scuffed. Because of this, we need to prime the ceiling with an oil-based primer to prevent the tin from rusting when painted. Priming is fundamental for completing any paint project. It is the difference between a job done and a job done right. Quite simply, primers create an ideal surface coat for the topcoat paint to perform and look its best: paint delivers color and makes that color and beautiful finish last as long as possible, while primers do the “dirty work” underneath. Of course, we would use no other primer on this project than our favorite KILZ Original Interior Primer.
When painting over an existing color, thick, high-hide primer formulas like KILZ Original Interior Primer are important for preparing surfaces, blocking color bleed-through, and covering surface imperfections. And believe us, these 100+-year-old tin ceilings have some imperfections!
First things first, we need to cover the recessed lighting with plastic bags and lay drop cloths over the hardwood flooring. We will be spraying the primer over some areas that also need to be primed (like the walls and bed), so there is no worry of overspray on these areas.
We always, always make sure to stir KILZ Original Interior Primer before painting because it is very common for the ingredients to separate while sitting in the can.
Now that our primer is stirred and the bedroom is fully prepped and ready, it is time to start painting. Always be sure to use proper PPE when painting with oil-based paint. We like to gear up with a face respirator mask, a hooded paint suit, and protective eyewear.
We have found that slow and steady is the best method for even coverage with KILZ Original Interior Primer. It dries quickly, but not so quickly that the process needs to be rushed. Back and forth motions are the easiest way to get in all the grooves of this super detailed tin ceiling.
And without further ado…drumroll, please… it is time for the final reveal of the painted tin ceiling!
We finished this project by coating the primer with Behr Premium Plus Interior Ceiling Flat paint in the shade Warm Marshmallow. The ceiling now has a soft, warm glow to it, and all of the scuffs, scratches, and imperfections are covered. We could not be happier with this finish. If you have ever wanted to paint a tin ceiling of your own, KILZ Original Interior Primer. is the way to go. It can be used on wood, drywall, plaster, paneling, wallpaper, masonry, brick, painted metal, and properly prepared glossy surfaces. It is, however, not recommended for mold or mildew-prone surfaces or flooring. You can learn more about preparation, application, and product specifications HERE.
Thank you for following along on this project!
Kenny & Kate
*This is a paid partnership with Kenny and Kate
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: 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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KILZ® Products, Coatings, and the Environment
April 12, 2022
The KILZ brand takes pride and deliberation when it comes to its paints and primers and the environment. Greg Williams, our Director of Product Marketing, shares how the KILZ team keeps the environment in mind when developing products for our business. “I’m passionate about protecting the environment as we only have one world, for us and future generations to come.,” Greg expresses, “It is our responsibility to protect our ecosystems, be good stewards of natural resources, and live in harmony with the world around us. We should all strive to minimize our personal impact on the environment.”
Ways you can paint with KILZ® products while helping you minimize your environmental impact.
1. When completing a painting project, choosing a high-quality coating such as a KILZ primer or paint will extend the lifespan of your project and reduce the frequency of re-painting.
2. KILZ products are designed with quality raw materials to provide optimal performance and service life. Also, they are manufactured in facilities where over 95% of liquid byproducts are repurposed and in 2021, 83% of refuse was recycled.
3. Proper disposal of your paint products is a crucial step in the process to reducing your environmental impact. For more information on disposal, see disposal section below and KILZ.com.
Why is it important to choose a high-quality product for my project?
• Primer and paint help provide protection for the substrates they are applied to, which can increase their lifetime. Achieving your result with fewer coats and reducing your need to re-paint as frequently will help minimize your overall environmental impact.
• Whether it be drywall or a more challenging substrate like bare metal, weathered wood, or a chalky paint surface, primer and paint can help to protect and extend their service life.
• KILZ primers have exceptional stain blocking properties and help achieve full hide by locking the stain molecules into the film. This results in fewer coats, material, and time required to complete the job.
What strides has KILZ made to develop products while keeping the environment in mind?
• KILZ has focused on developing high performing water-based products, with lower VOCs (volatile organic compounds), while maintaining performance attributes comparable to their oil-based counterparts. (Check out our post about Oil vs. Water based products here). All KILZ products are designed to meet national, state, and local VOC regulations, without compromising performance.
• Many of our products are GREENGUARD® Gold certified, including KILZ® PVA, KILZ 2®, KILZ® 3, KILZ® KITCHEN & BATH, KILZ KLEAR®, and KILZ RESTORATION® primers. GREENGUARD Gold certification confirms the certified products are low VOC and minimize impact on indoor air pollution levels.
• In addition to the liquid inside the can, we now use an all-plastic can which is made of recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable at recycling centers.
• We recycle and reuse many materials and byproducts during the manufacturing process. For example, in 2021 we recycled over 5.5 million pounds of plastic, metal, wood, paper and cardboard.
• We make it easy to determine the amount of product necessary for your project. It is important to use only the material that you need to minimize waste. We provide estimated coverage rates as well as a coverage calculator tool so you can purchase the appropriate quantities for your jobs.
What is the best way to dispose of cans and extra product?
• We would advise researching local paint disposal regulations. Many areas have local household hazardous waste drop off sites that will collect old and unwanted paint. In addition, more states are now joining PaintCare, which puts a focus on recycling paint, further reducing the impact of unused paint.
• Local charities may also be willing to accept unused paint in good condition as a donation.
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 safety and application of our products. Check out our 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: Must-haves for 2022
January 28, 2022
New Year, new inspirations, and new projects! What better way to kick off the year than to share the “must-haves” for any project in 2022. We asked one of the KILZ experts, Paul Dambroso. Paul is the Vice President of Marketing at KILZ and shares over 20 years of experience. Here on the Perfect Finish, we are going to cover the top KILZ products that any professional may need to kick off a project.
Why is it important to use Primer for any project?
- Seal porous surfaces before painting to achieve a uniform finish in fewer coats of paint
- Block stains from bleeding through your topcoat finish (water stains, tannin, smoke)
- Improve adhesion between the surface and the topcoat paint (adhesion promoter)
- “Specialty primers” help solve a variety of problems in specific situations from preventing mold and mildew before painting, transparent finish primers for same color recoats, alkali-resistant primers for powdery surfaces, concrete, cement, and unpainted plaster, metal primers, and more.
What are the top 5 KILZ Primers you need to tackle any job?
- KILZ 2® ALL-PURPOSE Primer (Previously KILZ 2 Latex) is a fast drying, water-based, multi-surface primer-sealer-stain blocker with excellent adhesion, mildew resistance, sealing properties and very mild odor. KILZ 2 ALL-PURPOSE Primer blocks medium stains including minor water stains, rust, grease, ink, pencil and felt marker. Enhanced hiding makes it ideal for changing colors and helps lessen the number of coats of paint required.
- KILZ RESTORATION™ Primer is a new generation water-based primer, sealer and stain blocker offering 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.
- KILZ® MOLD & MILDEW Primer is a water-based primer-sealer-stain blocker that is specially designed for residential surfaces in 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. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered active ingredient creates a mold and mildew-resistant film that protects the primer film from mold and mildew growth.
4. KILZ Original Oil-Based Interior/ Exterior Primer
- KILZ® ORIGINAL has been a trusted brand for over 40 years! This interior and exterior primer is specially formulated to be a sound undercoat for paint and will help enhance the topcoat’s performance. It has excellent adhesion to both interior and exterior surfaces including masonry, metal, and excellent penetration for bare wood.
- KILZ® PVA DRYWALL PRIMER is designed for use on new drywall. It is a fast drying, interior water-based primer formulated to prime and seal new, uncoated drywall and reduce the number of topcoats required to achieve a uniform, professional quality finish.
What are some tips and tricks while using Kilz primer?
- Check out KILZ Coverage Calculator to determine how much paint is needed to start a project. Typically, a gallon of primer will cover up to 250-400 square feet of surface that depends on a variety of factors. Two coats are usually required to have bright or deep colors or stains that could bleed through the topcoat. If priming over light or white previously painted surfaces, one coat may be sufficient.
- Tint the primer with a small amount of colorant (paint) of the topcoat. This will enhance the accuracy of the topcoat’s true color.
- Lightly sand the surface before applying primer especially if there is a gloss or sheen on the surface. This will help the primer adhere better and result in a longer-lasting paint finish.
- Although today’s advanced chemistry allows compatibility between oil-based and water-based primers and topcoats, it is still best practice to keep the combinations of “oil-based over oil-based” and “water-based over water-based” to ensure optimal results.
- Check out the KILZ blog post on the misconceptions about primer with one of our product experts here.
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: Primer Makes a Paint Job Better
April 19, 2021
It’s no secret that here on The Perfect Finish we’re advocates of proper prep work, and for us that conversation always includes priming before you paint. Primer can do a lot for your paint job, and the professionals know it’s worth the extra step.
To share all the reasons why and how primer makes your paint job better, and answer some often asked primer questions, we brought back Product Manager John Golamco. He’s been on the KILZ team for over six years and has a wealth of primer knowledge. Ready to learn more? Let’s get rolling!
Is primer only necessary when your paint does not have primer in it?
Applying primer is an essential prep step when you apply paint or a topcoat coating. As such, it is important to apply primer first and then (once it’s dry) apply the topcoat/paint over the primer coat. Primer is engineered differently from paint – primer has more resin/binder in the formula, which is the “sticky stuff” that helps with adhesion and other additives that give the primer its ability to solve a variety of problems. Paint, on the other hand, has more pigment in the formula in order to deliver color.
How does primer make my paint job more durable and long-lasting?
Primer helps the paint or topcoat stick to the surface better and prevent problems like peeling and cracking – ensuring the topcoat lasts longer on the surface. Depending on the type of primer (there are several types), it can solve a variety of surface related conditions and problems that could ruin your topcoat paint if you didn’t apply primer first. Primers can evenly and uniformly seal porous surfaces; hide previous colors or marks and stains; block and seal in bleeding stains (like tannin, grease, nicotine, water stains… just to name a few!); seal in unwanted odors; enhance adhesion and help bond the paint/topcoat to the surface; and prevent mold or mildew on the primer film surface, and other special features. There are even primers formulated for different spaces in the home, like KILZ Kitchen & Bath Primer.
How many coats of primer do I need?
Typically, you only have to apply one or two coats of primer to achieve optimal results for which it is intended. One common misconception is that you need to continue to apply coats of primer until you completely cover the surface in a white finish or hide every area possible like you would do a paint. It is not the primers job to provide the final complete paint finish – that’s the paint’s job. Even if it doesn’t look completely covered, one or two coats is all you need as long as it is evenly applied. For blocking water stains or tannin from a “fresh” red wood surface, more premium stain blocking primer is recommended.
Does primer work on all previous paint sheens?
Just like most things you can buy, there are different types of primers ranging from the simpler ones that are made to just seal porous surfaces to the more sophisticated ones that offer additional features and benefits. Typically, the higher performing, more premium primers have better adhesion performance that allows it to stick to more surface types. Typically, the denser/harder the surface and the more sheen (higher gloss), the more difficult it is for paint or primer to adhere to. We recommend using high adhesion bonding primers for dense, glossy surfaces. Sometimes it is also necessary to perform a light sanding of the surface to help the primer bond to it. A high-performance primer such as KILZ 3® Premium Primer or KILZ® Restoration Primer will work with most paint sheens.
Can I apply primer on wallpaper?
When it comes to painting over old wallpaper, the best practice is to remove it completely, remove any old wallpaper glue and dirt residue, ensure the surface is clean and smooth and then apply primer and then topcoat with new paint. However, if painting over old wallpaper is needed, we recommend ensuring the old wallpaper is not peeling and adhesion to the wall is still sound. Then use an oil base primer such as KILZ® Original Primer to prime the surface before applying paint. Using an oil base primer will make sure there is less chance the adhesive of the wallpaper (which may be exposed at the seams) is compromised.
Is there a primer with a clear finish?
Most primers will adhere to wood however there are special primers that will apply in a clear transparent finish. We recommend KILZ KLEAR® Clear Sealer & Bonding Primer – a high performance fast-drying, multi-surface clear primer developed to seal highly porous surfaces inside and outside your home. It is also recommended for use when painting the same topcoat paint color on top of an existing paint coat.
Can primer be applied to peeling paint?
Applying primer or any additional topcoat coating to already peeling paint is not recommended. The adhesion or bonding of the paint to the surface is already compromised. Adding more layers of primer or any coating will add weight to the compromised paint and might cause it to peel off completely. We recommend removing the peeling paint and starting fresh with a clean surface.
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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