Customer Reviews for Zinsser Cover Stain 1 gal. White Low VOC Classic Oil-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer

Maybe only in California, but this new formula is unusable. I tried with an expensive natural bristle brush, then with a 4" roller. It drags badly and leaves the worst brush strokes I've ever encountered. The original formula was my go-to for any raw wood, trim or cabinet priming--smooth application and minimal brush strokes. This is also as pungent as ever and best to use outside if possible. (When reading reviews, check the dates).

This product takes forever to dry. It dries super glossy. It’s sticky and doesn’t flow. The fumes are worse than the original Coverstain.

This Zinsser primer really did a GREAT job! We used an airless sprayer to apply two coats of this oil based primer/sealer to fresh new wood siding on our house and garage exteriors. It covered beautifully. We know that one coat would have done the job but figured this stuff was doing such a good job that perhaps our long term satisfaction would be virtually guaranteed with that second coat. We plan on living here for decades and this primer convinced us that we are going to be so happy with this paint job that we will only need future paint jobs to update color. After all, it's the prep that makes the paint keep looking good.

Good i used to do wait wash

Fraud! This is NOT oil-based primer! It looks exactly the same as the quart sized paint can, but this is a different formula. If you want smooth fast drying stain blocking primer DO NOT BUY THIS LOW VOC CRAP! It does not have a 2 hr re-coat time, after more than 24 hrs it is still GOO and I cannot handle my clients kitchen cabinet doors. Will have to re-sand and redo. Also says can use with any top coat, not the case. I spot primed with your real oil-based primer in quart size, only to have it dry grainy and weird over top this low voc junk. ATTN: Zinsser Change the color of the product so as not to confuse with your real oil-based primer, which is a very good product. You say "classic oil-base" but it is not the real deal and actually quite terrible!

It's kind of like trying to paint with honey or molasses. Three brush strokes and I gave up even though I can't return it.

It took it 24 h to dry out. Smells really strong. Just go to your local store and buy the one from the brand killz the red cap since home depot dont sell it anymore

The gas off of chemicals is so intense I almost passed out. I became dizzy, light headed, faint. The odder and chemical taste stayed with me for hours after moving to fresh air. I had the windows open with a fan. Stunk up the entire house. It did cover the stains but I would have rather found another way to deal with them.. this should not be labeled for interior use. And I wouldn’t even want to use this again outside without a respirator. Do not use where people will be for days!!

Product was thick like glue. 1 gallon containers were not thick like this. Hard to paint on wall.

I’m not a professional, but I have done a lot of painting and this product was unlike anything I’ve ever tried to apply before. It clings to the brush and roller and takes a lot of muscle to get it to go on the surface. For the first time ever while painting, I got lightheaded and nauseous applying it (indoors, but ventilated). While trying to roll it onto the wall, it pulled patches of the texture right off the wall in a couple places.

Great product that does the job.

I recently switched to Zinsser from Kilz Original and I’m pretty disappointed with the final result. I found that all my brush strokes were more visible which was disappointing. Zinsser also claims this dries flat but it’s more eggshell. I really like the flat chalky feel from Kilz and was hoping this could be an alternative, I was wrong. Back to Kilz Original.

Excellent excellent primer..bonds great and fast drying

I was told it was LOW ODOR. It is not. Very strong smell. Could not use it.

The paint should not be used indoor bcz of its strong odor. Th fume lasts like forever. I paint in garage and leave garage door open can smell it clearly when you paint. The odor exists like forever after you close the garage door in the night and open it in daytime for a week.

After removing wallpaper, we wanted to make sure that any rogue glue that may have remained didn’t ruin our paint job, so bought this on an internet recommendation. I got 3/4 of the room cut-in before my stomach started cramping up, then nausea. I spent 4 hours vomiting, cramping, freezing cold in bed. The room is not finished being cut-in. I don’t know how I will finish it! I had 3 windows open, a strong fan blowing out one window and an N95 mask on! How am I going to finish this??

It covers stains very well.

If it weren’t for the overpowering noxious fumes and poor paintability, the only flaw of this primer would be that it’s overpriced. But put them all together and it’s a definite avoid. I barely made a dent in the gallon I bought before I had to throw in the towel. My wife and I are still feeling nauseous after relocating an hour ago.

WHY HAS THE PRICE INCREASED 200% WHY!