Spray primer in aerosol cans for the small jobs where a brush or roller is overkill: spot priming water stains and patched drywall, cabinet doors, picture frames, furniture, plastic, tile and glass, and bare or rusty metal. This page lines up every spray primer we list with the dry times, coverage and limits from each maker's technical data sheet, so you can prime and paint the same afternoon.
Pick by the problem. For stains and odors indoors, Zinsser B-I-N spray is shellac based and paintable in about 30 minutes. For a stain blocker you can also use outside, choose oil-based Cover-Stain spray or Bulls Eye 1-2-3 spray, and for bigger pieces the 26 oz Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Turbo. For slick plastic, tile, glass or galvanized metal, use a bonding primer such as XIM UMA, XIM 400W or Rust-Oleum Universal Bonding Primer. For bare or rusty steel, use a Rust-Oleum metal primer.
Compare spray primers
| Spray primer |
Best for (maker) |
Dry and recoat at about 70 F (maker) |
Coverage per can (maker) |
| Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer Spray, 13 oz |
Shellac based, interior use only. Blocks grease, fire, smoke, water, ink, crayon, knot and sap stains and seals odors; sticks to ceramic tile, glass, metal, plastic and hardboard |
Touch dry in 15 minutes, paint in 30 minutes |
10 to 12 sq ft (Zinsser BIN-08, rev 06/02/17) |
| Zinsser Cover-Stain Oil-Based Primer Spray (13 oz, 16 oz) |
Oil based, indoors and out. Blocks nicotine, graffiti, fire, smoke, water and dark color stains; sticks to enamel paint, varnish, paneling, laminate, ceramic tile, glass and non-galvanized metal |
Touch dry in 15 minutes, paint in 1 hour |
10 to 12 sq ft per 13 oz can (Zinsser CVS-09, rev 12/06/22) |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer Spray, 13 oz |
Interior or exterior wood, concrete, drywall and non-galvanized metal. Seals spackle and drywall repairs, hides dark colors, blocks water, nicotine, smoke, tannin, ink and marker stains |
Touch dry in 5 minutes, topcoat with latex or oil paint in 30 minutes; let it cure overnight before strong solvent topcoats |
8 to 10 sq ft (Zinsser BEY123-06, rev 06/02/17) |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Turbo, 26 oz (white, gray) |
Same stain blocking uses as 1-2-3 with a fan up to 10 inches wide for larger pieces. Use outdoors or in a well ventilated space such as an open garage; not for galvanized metal or surfaces over 200 F |
Touch 10 minutes, handle 20 minutes, recoat 30 minutes |
20 to 24 sq ft (Zinsser BEY123-17, rev 02/08/22) |
| Zinsser 13 oz low-odor stain blocking primer spray (SKU 03959) |
Interior work where you want oil-base performance with less odor. Seals nicotine, fire, smoke and water stains on trim, molding and spackle; adheres to paneling, kitchen cabinets and glossy paint |
Touch 30 minutes, handle 1 hour, recoat 2 hours, full cure 7 days |
9 to 12 sq ft (Zinsser OLS-02, rev 03/17/22) |
| XIM bonding primer sprays, 12 oz (UMA, 400W) |
Slick, hard to coat surfaces. XIM lists UMA, a water-based primer, for glass, tile, Formica, metal and many plastics, and 400W, a solvent-based alkyd, for glossy glass, tile, plastic, metal and wood |
Follow the can |
Follow the can |
| Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Universal Bonding Primer, 12 oz |
Galvanized steel, non-ferrous metals, aluminum flashing, PVC, porcelain, glazed brick and fiberglass |
Touch dry in about 30 minutes, recoat after 1 hour |
Follow the can |
| Rust-Oleum metal and auto primers (Stops Rust Clean Metal, white, Stops Rust Rusty Metal, High Performance red and gray, Self Etching, 2-in-1 Filler and Sandable, Painter's Touch 2X, Touch'n Tone gray) |
Bare, rusty or automotive metal before a Rust-Oleum topcoat. Self Etching Primer is for bare metal, aluminum and fiberglass, not galvanized metal |
Follow the can |
Follow the can |
Spray primer FAQ
What is the best spray primer for water stains and smoke damage?
Indoors, start with Zinsser B-I-N spray: it is shellac based, blocks water, smoke and fire stains, seals odors from water and fire damage, and is ready for paint in about 30 minutes. Zinsser lists it for interior use only. For a stain blocker you can use inside or out, Cover-Stain spray blocks water, smoke and nicotine stains and takes paint after 1 hour, and Bulls Eye 1-2-3 spray takes latex or oil paint after 30 minutes. For whole ceilings or walls, compare the quarts and gallons on primers and sealers.
What spray primer works on plastic?
Use a primer the maker rates for plastic. Zinsser says B-I-N spray sticks to plastic, tile, glass and metal; XIM lists UMA for many plastics and 400W for glossy plastic; and Rust-Oleum rates Universal Bonding Primer for PVC. Clean the part well first, and lightly scuff glossy surfaces when the can calls for it.
Can I use spray primer on kitchen cabinets?
Yes, for doors, drawer fronts, trim and touch-ups. Zinsser says the 13 oz low-odor stain blocker (SKU 03959) adheres to kitchen cabinets, paneling and glossy paint, and that Cover-Stain spray grips enamel paint, varnish, paneling and laminate. A 13 oz can covers about 8 to 12 sq ft per the maker sheets, so a full kitchen usually goes faster with a quart or gallon. See cabinet refinishing for paint and supplies.
How long until I can paint over spray primer?
At about 70 F and 50% humidity, the makers list: Bulls Eye 1-2-3 spray and Turbo, topcoat in 30 minutes; B-I-N spray, paint in 30 minutes; Cover-Stain spray, paint in 1 hour; Universal Bonding Primer, recoat after 1 hour; the 03959 low-odor stain blocker, recoat in 2 hours. Cooler air and higher humidity slow every one of these down. Zinsser also says to let 1-2-3 cure overnight before strong solvent-based topcoats.
How many cans of spray primer do I need?
Measure the area, then divide by the maker's coverage per can: about 8 to 10 sq ft for Bulls Eye 1-2-3 13 oz, 9 to 12 sq ft for the 03959 stain blocker, 10 to 12 sq ft for B-I-N and Cover-Stain 13 oz, and 20 to 24 sq ft for the 26 oz Turbo. A 40 sq ft dresser, for example, takes about 4 to 5 cans of 1-2-3 13 oz or about 2 Turbo cans for one coat.
Can I use these primers outside?
Cover-Stain, Bulls Eye 1-2-3 and the Turbo cans are rated for interior and exterior surfaces. B-I-N spray and the 03959 stain blocker are interior primers. Spray in a well ventilated area at the temperatures on the can, and for the Turbo can Zinsser says to work outdoors or in an open garage.
Which spray primer goes on galvanized metal?
Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Universal Bonding Primer, which Rust-Oleum rates for galvanized steel and other non-ferrous metals. The Zinsser sheets list Cover-Stain and Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for non-galvanized metal only, and Rust-Oleum says Self Etching Primer is not for galvanized metal. For topcoats, see spray paint for metal.
Shop related: primers and sealers, Zinsser, XIM, shellac and B-I-N shellac primer, spray paint for metal, spray paint and art finishes, drywall repair and spackle, and Rust-Oleum paint and coatings.
