

This time frame will allow the painter time to coat the room with primer and switch almost immediately to painting, maintaining a speedy workflow. A good rule is to look for a drywall primer that states that it’s top-coat-ready in 1 hour. If the project needs to go from drywall to finish coat in a weekend, go with a fast-drying primer. Water-based primers dry relatively quickly, while oil-based primers take much longer. However, some drywall primers-or just primers in general-dry at different rates, which could be a factor when shopping. Drying Timeĭrywall is a very dry, porous surface and can quickly soak up any coating applied, resulting in faster drying times. Some shopping considerations will apply more to certain types of primers than to others. Below are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when comparing drywall primers. Knowing the different types of primer is a good start, but choosing the best drywall primer requires a bit more background. What to Consider When Choosing the Best Drywall Primer Shellac primer serves as a solid base for oil and latex paints, but these primers often contain high levels of VOC compared to latex or PVA primers. These primers cover stains well, dry relatively quickly, and leave behind a tacky surface that grabs paint. Shellacįor stained drywall, there’s always a shellac-based primer. Since PVA primer is water-based, it’s an ideal base coat for latex paints it also emits low levels of VOCs. This primer seals the pores of drywall surfaces quickly and easily, and it’s also highly sandable, so it is simple to fine-tune the surface with a sanding block or stick after a primer coat. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) primer is the best primer for new drywall. They seal fresh drywall well, and they’re a great base for latex paints. Also, they’re inexpensive and spread easily. First, they’re low-VOC, so breathing around them is safer than oil-based primers. Most drywall primers are water-based products, and there are a lot of benefits to these primers. The terms “water-based” and “latex” describe the same primers. However, they’re a good choice for priming drywall before wallpaper or paneling. They will seal the surface, but oil-based primers contain high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and they don’t accept latex paint well. Oil-based primers are excellent for covering stains and sealing wood, but they’re not always ideal for drywall. The following sections include primers that a DIYer could use, with some tips on when they should (or shouldn’t) use certain types. There are lots of different types of primers, and they’re not all ideal for any job. Primer is primer is primer, right? Not exactly. BEST SHELLAC: Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Interior Primer & Sealer.BEST WATER-BASED: Kilz 2 All Purpose Interior/Exterior Primer, Sealer.BEST OIL-BASED: Kilz Odorless Primer/Sealer, Oil Based.
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UPGRADE PICK: Behr Acrylic Interior Drywall Plus Primer and Sealer.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Glidden PVA 5 gal.BEST OVERALL: Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer and Sealer.But how would a shopper know what to look for in the best drywall primer? Keep reading to find out. Just as it’s important to prime fresh drywall, it’s also crucial to purchase high-quality primer that will seal and fill small holes and pores, creating a uniform surface for paint.

However, drywall primers can seal those pores and allow tools to glide across the surface, resulting in a better-looking finished product. It can also make it difficult to drag a paint brush or roller across the surface for pro-level painting. Fresh drywall is very dry and can soak up expensive paint like a sponge.
