How to Choose the Right Primer for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Primer

Overview

Primer is an essential tool for any home repair, painting, and maintenance project. In this buying guide, we'll provide information on different types of primer, the best brands and products, and the top tips for successful priming. We'll also review the different types of primers available, the important factors to consider when choosing the right product, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. With this guide, you'll be able to make an educated and informed decision on which primer is right for you.

Key features

  1. Purpose - Before purchasing, shoppers should consider what purpose they need the primer to serve. Is it for cosmetic use, to prepare a surface for painting, or for another purpose?
  2. Type - Primers come in several varieties, so shoppers should determine what type of primer is best suited for their needs, such as oil-based, latex, water-based, or specialty primers.
  3. Surface - Shoppers should consider what type of surface the primer will be used on, such as wood, metal, plastic, or masonry, as this will determine the right type of primer.
  4. Coverage - Primers come in different levels of coverage, such as high, medium, or low, so shoppers should consider what coverage they need.
  5. Finish - Primers come in different finishes, such as flat, satin, or glossy, so shoppers should determine what finish is desired.
  6. Ease of Use - Shoppers should consider how easy the primer is to use and apply, such as ready-to-use, brush-on, or spray-on.
  7. VOCs - Shoppers should consider the VOC (volatile organic compounds) content of the primer, as this may impact any necessary safety precautions.

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Important considerations

Pros

  • Oil-Free - Primer is an oil-free product, meaning it won’t clog your pores or leave you feeling greasy.
  • Smoothens Skin - Primer helps to even out the texture of your skin, giving it a smooth, even appearance.
  • Long-Lasting - Primer can help your makeup stay fresher longer, preventing it from wearing off and smudging.
  • Protects Skin - Primer helps to protect your skin from pollutants and other environmental factors.
  • Lightweight - Primer is lightweight and can be easily incorporated into your daily makeup routine.

Cons

  • Price: Primer can be expensive depending on the type and amount of primer used.
  • Application: Primer can be difficult to apply correctly, and if not done correctly it can cause problems with the finished result.
  • VOCs: Some types of primer contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be hazardous to inhale.
  • Color: Primer must be the same color as the paint that will be used, otherwise it may not provide adequate coverage.
  • Surface: Primer is not suitable for all surfaces. For example, it may not adhere well to glossy surfaces.

Best alternatives

  1. Polycrylic - a water-based protective clear finish that provides durable protection to wood and other surfaces
  2. Valspar Bonding Primer - a fast-drying primer that bonds securely to surfaces for improved paint adhesion
  3. Kilz Original Primer - a fast-drying, low odor, water-based sealer-primer-stain blocker that is ideal for interior and exterior applications
  4. Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer - a universal, fast-drying, all-purpose interior and exterior primer and sealer that bonds to most surfaces
  5. Sherwin Williams ProBlock Primer - an alkyd-based primer that provides superior adhesion to glossy surfaces and blocks tannin, smoke and water stains
  6. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Multi-Purpose Primer - a high performance, universal primer that seals and binds surfaces

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Primer - a coat of paint that allows the topcoat to adhere better to a surface.
  • Paintbrush - a tool used to apply primer, paint, and other coatings.
  • Paint roller - a tool used to quickly and evenly apply primer and paint.
  • Sandpaper - a tool used to rough the surface to help primer and paint adhere better.
  • Sanding block - a tool used to more precisely sand the surface.
  • Drop cloth - a cloth used to cover the floor or other surfaces to protect them from primer and paint.

Common questions

  1. What is Primer? Primer is a product used to create a smooth and even surface prior to painting. It helps to seal the surface and can also be used to cover up any existing color or texture on the wall.
  2. What types of Primer are there? Primers come in a variety of types, including water-based, oil-based, latex, and shellac-based. Each type has different properties and is suited for different surfaces and applications.
  3. How do I choose the right Primer? When choosing a primer, you should consider the surface you plan to paint, the type of paint you plan to use, and any special features you want the primer to provide. Different primers are better suited for different surfaces and types of paint.
  4. How do I apply Primer? Primer should be applied with a paintbrush or roller, depending on the type of primer and the surface you are painting. Be sure to read the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
  5. When do I need to use Primer? Primer is necessary when painting over a surface that is not already painted, or when painting over a surface that has an existing color or texture. Primer also provides a better finish and increased durability.

Trivia

Primer's co-founder, Aaron Hirschhorn, is a self-professed "dog dad" and proud owner of two rescue pugs, Penny and Ollie. After adopting Ollie in summer 2018, Hirschhorn started using Primer to build a website for the pup, pugsofollie.com. It's become a place for Hirschhorn and his family to share photos and videos of the dogs, as well as funny anecdotes and stories about their furry best friends. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.