Primers and sealers for the step that decides whether paint sticks, covers, and lasts. This collection groups every primer type we list by the problem it solves: stain and odor blocking, new and damaged drywall, peeling or chalky surfaces, slick surfaces like tile and laminate, bare or rusty metal, and bare concrete. Lines include Zinsser B-I-N, Cover-Stain, Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Hidz, Gardz, Peel Stop, Bondz, Smart Prime, Shieldz and Mold Killing Primer, XIM 400W, UMA and Peel Bond, Rust-Oleum Stops Rust and Universal Bonding Primer, Dunn's PVA Primer/Sealer, and Valspar Concrete Bonding Primer.
Start with the surface, then the problem. Zinsser calls shellac-based B-I-N its classic stain and odor blocker, oil-based Cover-Stain the choice that sticks without sanding and blocks water, smoke and nicotine stains, and water-based Bulls Eye 1-2-3 the all-purpose primer, sealer and stain blocker for interior and exterior work. Gardz is a clear water-based sealer for torn drywall paper, joint compound, texture and old wallpaper paste. For glossy surfaces, XIM lists UMA as a water-based bonding primer under 100 g/L VOC for glass, tile, Formica, metal and many plastics, and Rust-Oleum rates Stops Rust Universal Bonding Primer for galvanized steel, PVC, porcelain and glazed brick.
| Problem |
Primers for it |
Notes (maker) |
| Water, smoke, tannin and odor stains |
Zinsser B-I-N and B-I-N Advanced, Cover-Stain, Bulls Eye 1-2-3 and Turbo, Bulls Eye Oil-Based |
B-I-N is shellac or synthetic shellac for severe stains and odors; Cover-Stain is oil-based and sticks without sanding; Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is water-based, interior and exterior |
| New drywall |
Zinsser Drywall Primer, Dunn's PVA Primer/Sealer |
Dunn's PVA is an interior waterborne wall sealer for new drywall and Level 5 finishes; max VOC 95 g/L; about 150 to 200 sq ft per gallon |
| Torn drywall paper, texture, wallpaper paste |
Zinsser Gardz |
Clear water-based problem surface sealer; goes on milky and dries clear, ready for paint, texture or wallcovering |
| Peeling, chalky or weathered surfaces |
Zinsser Peel Stop and Peel Stop Triple Thick, XIM Peel Bond |
Binding primers for peeling or chalky surfaces; Peel Bond is high-build and flexible for weathered exterior wood, stucco and concrete and takes only latex or elastomeric topcoats |
| Glossy tile, glass, laminate, plastic, galvanized metal |
Zinsser Bondz, XIM UMA, XIM 400W, Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Universal Bonding Primer |
UMA is water-based with soap and water cleanup; 400W is solvent-based alkyd with recoat in 1 to 2 hours; Universal Bonding Primer covers galvanized steel and PVC |
| Covering old colors, multi-surface prep |
Zinsser Hidz, Smart Prime |
Hidz is a water-based primer and sealer made to hide previous colors and block crayon and oily handprint stains |
| Wallcovering and damp rooms |
Zinsser Shieldz, Mold Killing Primer |
Shieldz primes walls for wallcovering; Mold Killing Primer is for rooms prone to mold and mildew |
| Bare, rusty or automotive metal |
Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Clean Metal and Rusty Metal, High Performance red and gray primer sprays, Self Etching Primer, 2-in-1 Filler and Sandable Primer, Painter's Touch 2X gray primer |
Self Etching Primer is for bare metal, aluminum and fiberglass, not galvanized; Stops Rust enamels need Universal Bonding Primer first on galvanized metal |
| Bare concrete |
Valspar Concrete Bonding Primer |
Acrylic, VOC under 100 g/L, about 250 sq ft per gallon; etch bare concrete first and topcoat within 4 hours |
Shop related: Zinsser, XIM, Rust-Oleum, caulk and sealants, prep, patch and specialty coatings, and the prep and patch cart.
FAQ
Which primer blocks water stains and smoke damage?
Zinsser lists B-I-N, Cover-Stain and Bulls Eye 1-2-3 as its stain blockers. B-I-N, a shellac-based primer, is the one Zinsser points to for severe stains and odors. Cover-Stain is oil-based and blocks water, smoke and nicotine stains inside or out.
What primer should I use on new drywall?
Use a drywall primer such as Zinsser Drywall Primer or Dunn's PVA Primer/Sealer. Dunn-Edwards lists its PVA for interior drywall only, with dry to touch in 30 to 60 minutes and recoat in 2 to 4 hours at 77°F.
How do I fix torn drywall paper before painting?
Seal it first. Zinsser Gardz is a clear water-based sealer made for torn drywall paper, joint compound, texture and leftover wallpaper paste. It dries clear, ready for paint, texture or wallcovering.
What primer sticks to tile, laminate or glass?
Use a bonding primer. XIM UMA lists glass, tile, Formica, metal and many plastics; XIM 400W lists glossy glass, tile, plastic, metal and wood; Zinsser Bondz is a maximum adhesion primer for slick surfaces. Lightly sand glossy surfaces when the label calls for it.
Which primer works on galvanized metal or PVC?
Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Universal Bonding Primer. Rust-Oleum rates it for galvanized steel, non-ferrous metals, aluminum flashing, PVC, porcelain, glazed brick and fiberglass, and says the spray dries to touch in about 30 minutes with recoat after 1 hour.
Do I need to prime bare concrete?
For porch and floor paint, Valspar recommends its Concrete Bonding Primer on clean, degreased and etched concrete, with new concrete cured at least 60 days. Topcoat in about 1 hour and within 4 hours, or Valspar says you may need to prime again.
