What is primer paint?

Understanding primer paint

The definition of primer paint

A primer, or undercoat, is a coating applied to surfaces before painting.

The main purpose of a primer is to ensure proper adhesion of the subsequent paint, it also improves the durability and longevity of a paint job. Primers can also help to seal porous surfaces, cover stains, and create a uniform base for the topcoat.

Why use primer paint?

It enhances paint adhesion

Using a primer coat means that adhesion is ensured between the original material and the new paint topcoat.

It provides a uniform surface

• Primers fill in the tiny holes and imperfections found in porous materials like wood, drywall and concrete
• Primers enhance the adhesion of the finish coat to the substrate, preventing peeling, cracking, and blistering over time.
• Primers can cover and seal stains from water, nicotine, graffiti and more, ensuring that blemishes do not bleed through the topcoat.
• Applying a primer can help to create a uniform base colour.

It increases paint durability

Primers enhance paint durability and longevity. They improve adhesion, prevent peeling and blistering, block stains and seal porous surfaces to protect against moisture, mould, and mildew.

Types of primer paint

• Oil-Based Primer Paint
  Great for tough adhesion and stain-blocking on varied surfaces but with longer drying times and strong odours.

• **Latex-Based Primer Paint **
  Ideal for ease of use, though less effective on stains and certain surfaces.

• **Shellac Primer Paint **
  The superior primer for blocking severe stains and adhering to many surfaces with quick drying times, but with high odour, alcohol clean-up and is more abrasive to brushes.

• **Water-Based Primer Paint **
  Great for ease of use, low odour, quick drying, with easy soap and water clean-up.

How to apply primer paint

Surface Preparation

Before priming a surface, ensure it is clean, dry, and free of dust, dirt, grease or any other contaminants. Sand any rough areas to create a smooth base and repair any cracks or holes with filler, allowing it to dry completely. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove any sanding dust and let it dry before applying the primer.

Tools and Techniques

Use high-quality brushes for edges and intricate areas, and rollers for larger, flat surfaces.

If using an airless sprayer, ensure even coverage by maintaining a consistent distance and using smooth, overlapping passes.

Drying Time and Recoating

It’s good to know how long primer paint should dry before painting. The drying time for primers varies based on the type:

B-I-N® - Touch Dry: 15 minutes, Recoatable: 45 minutes

B-I-N® AQUA - Touch Dry: 25 minutes, Recoatable: 45 minutes (For knots and stains, allow 2 hours to dry)

Bulls Eye 1-2-3 – Touch Dry: 30 minutes, Recoatable: 1 hour

Cover Stain – Touch Dry: 30 minutes, Recoatable: 2 hours

Common Mistakes When Using Primer Paint

Skipping Surface Preparation

Without proper surface preparation, paint and coatings may fail to adhere correctly, leading to a poor finish that can peel, flake, or fade over time. Avoid this by always thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the surface before priming.

Using the Wrong Type of Primer

Using the wrong type of primer is not usually the end of the world for your project, however it will likely cause you more work in the long run and you might need to use more paint than necessary.

Not Allowing Enough Drying Time

If you don’t allow sufficient drying time between coats of paint, it can cause several issues such as bubbling, flaking or peeling.

Recommended primer paints

Zinsser B-I-N®
Tried and trusted by professional decorators everywhere, B-I-N® is the ultimate shellac-based primer-sealer and stain-killer for interior-surfaces and exterior spot-priming. Known as the problem-solving paint product, B-I-N offers unparalleled adhesion to any surface, blocks stubborn stains from water, mildew and fire damage, and effectively seals all types of odours.

Zinsser B-I-N® AQUA
B-I-N AQUA is a water-based alternative to the world-renowned original B-I-N. The groundbreaking 4-in-1 primer-sealer, stain-killer and odour-blocker has the same performance advantages as B-I-N, with the added benefit of Trace VOCs (<0.1%) and easy soap and water clean-up.

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3
A universal, interior and exterior primer-sealer, Bulls Eye 1-2-3 offers excellent adhesion to difficult, glossy surfaces, and has a  low-odour and quick-drying time. Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is rust-inhibitive and mould-resistant, and is ideal for blocking stains such as graffiti, grease spots, tar and asphalt.

Zinsser Cover Stain
Cover Stain is the only interior and exterior, primer-sealer, stain sealer and bond coat that dries for re-coat in just two hours.  Cover Stain permanently seals stains of all kinds to keep topcoats blemish free.