All Surfaces - Primers - The Home Depot

Question 1

What's the best way to apply primer for a smooth finish?

Accepted Answer

A smooth, professional finish requires a clean, smooth surface, the right tools, and proper technique. For most surfaces, a high-quality roller brush gives you even coverage and a smooth base for your paint. Load the roller with primer and apply in consistent strokes, slightly overlapping each pass. Apply thin, even coats, which dry faster and reduce streaks for the best results. Work in sections, keeping the primer wet as you move to prevent visible lines. For ultra-smooth finishes, lightly sand the surface with fine-grain sandpaper after the first coat.

Question 2

What's the difference between matte, satin, and gloss paint finishes?

Accepted Answer

The difference between matte, satin, and gloss paint finishes comes down to sheen level, appearance, and durability. Matte finishes work best for bedrooms, living rooms, and ceilings, creating a smooth, soft, and no-shine appearance while hiding imperfections. Satin finishes are more durable and washable than matte, creating a slight sheen appearance with a soft, velvety glow ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and kids' rooms. Gloss finishes are the most durable, easiest to clean, and best for stain and moisture resistance, creating a high shine, reflective appearance ideal for trim, doors, and cabinets. Find the best finish for your project in our DIY guide to types of paint finishes, sheens, and textures.

Question 3

Which primers are the top rated?

Accepted Answer

The 5 Gal. Hidz White Water Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer is one of our top-rated primers. There's no better choice when you need to get the job done right.

Question 4

What kind of primer should I use before painting?

Accepted Answer

The primer you should use depends on the surface and the type of paint you plan to use. A general-purpose primer works well on new drywall, allowing you to cover up previously painted surfaces with easy cleanup. However, you may need a specialty primer for certain situations, such as an oil-based primer for bare wood, a rust-inhibiting primer for metal, a stain-blocking primer for water stains, smoke damage, or strong odors, or a bonding primer for glossy surfaces. Your Home Depot store associate can help you find the right primer for your project.

Question 5

Is there a difference in paint primers?

Accepted Answer

Paint primers are designed for different surfaces and purposes. There are latex and water-based primers that dry quick with easy clean-up, oil-based primers that adhere strong and block stains, and specialty primers that seal porous surfaces like concrete, brick, or chalky walls. Choosing the right primer for your project will help you get the best results.

Question 6

How do I determine the amount of primer I need?

Accepted Answer

Measure the square footage of the surface area to find out how much primer you need. Most 1-gallon containers of primer cover 250-400 square feet per coat. Most projects only need one coat, but you may need two coats for dark colors, stain or odor blocking, or for painting highly porous surfaces like bare wood or new drywall. It's a good idea to purchase slightly more than your estimated amount so you have enough for uneven surfaces or multiple coats.

All Surfaces Primers

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Category

Paint

Primers

Review Rating

1 & Up

2 & Up

3 & Up

4 & Up

5

Brand

Price

Primer Purpose

Base Material

Container Size

Surface Material Use

Paint/Stain Features

Paint Product Form

Application

Application Method

Sheen

Color Family

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus 13 oz. White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray

Fiberlock5 gal White RECON ULTRA Smoke Odor Sealer

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 13 oz. White Oil-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

MAGNETIZE-IT!Magnetic Paint and Primer Contractor Pro 1-Gal. (128 oz.)

Zinsser13 oz. Ceiling Paint and Primer in One Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo Gray Interior/Exterior Primer Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray (6-Pack)

Zinsser13 oz. Odorless Oil-Based Stain Blocker Interior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-Pack)

Plasti Dip11 oz. Plasti Dip Primer (6-pack)

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All Surfaces Primers

Get It Fast

Category

Review Rating

1 & Up

2 & Up

3 & Up

4 & Up

5

Brand

Price

Primer Purpose

Base Material

Container Size

Surface Material Use

Paint/Stain Features

Paint Product Form

Application

Application Method

Sheen

Color Family

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 Plus 13 oz.​ White Interior/​Exterior Primer Spray

Fiberlock5 gal White RECON ULTRA Smoke Odor Sealer

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 26 oz.​ Turbo White Interior/​Exterior Primer Spray

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 13 oz.​ White Oil-​Based Interior/​Exterior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-​Pack)​

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

MAGNETIZE-IT!Magnetic Paint and Primer Contractor Pro 1-​Gal.​ (128 oz.​)​

Zinsser13 oz.​ Ceiling Paint and Primer in One Spray (6-​Pack)​

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 26 oz.​ Turbo Gray Interior/​Exterior Primer Spray (6-​Pack)​

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-​2-​3 26 oz.​ Turbo White Interior/​Exterior Primer Spray (6-​Pack)​

Zinsser13 oz.​ Odorless Oil-​Based Stain Blocker Interior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-​Pack)​

Plasti Dip11 oz.​ Plasti Dip Primer (6-​pack)​

Support

Resources

About Us

Our Other Sites

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus 13 oz. White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 13 oz. White Oil-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Gray Primer Spray Paint

MAGNETIZE-IT!Magnetic Paint and Primer Contractor Pro 1-Gal. (128 oz.)

Zinsser13 oz. Ceiling Paint and Primer in One Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo Gray Interior/Exterior Primer Spray (6-Pack)

ZinsserBulls Eye 1-2-3 26 oz. Turbo White Interior/Exterior Primer Spray (6-Pack)

Zinsser13 oz. Odorless Oil-Based Stain Blocker Interior Primer and Sealer Spray (6-Pack)

Plasti Dip11 oz. Plasti Dip Primer (6-pack)