Can I use a water-based paint over shellac?

Author: Gerson Russel  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Can you put water-based paint over shellac primer? You can go over shellac primer with almost any paint, including most water-based products. Just avoid using cheap retail emulsion and contract matt and you should be fine.

Can you use water-based paint over a zinsser bin?

You can apply oil or water based paint on top of zinsser bin according to the data sheet, although I have only ever used oil based undercoat and top coat over it.

How do you paint over shellac?

Paint does not adhere well to shellac and will flake off. If you want to seal the wood, use a sealing primer (such as Kilz) with the same base (usually oil- or water-based) as your paint.

How long to wait before painting over shellac?

For new Cedar and Redwood applications, allow B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer to dry 24 hours before painting or topcoating. Sand interior bare wood surfaces using medium to fine grit sandpaper.

Can you paint water-based paint over Zinsser oil-based primer?

You can paint with water based paint over oil primer! That's fine because the primer finishes flat and the latex can grip to it.

How To Use B I N Shellac Primer

Can you put water-based paint over shellac?

Can you put water-based paint over shellac primer? You can go over shellac primer with almost any paint, including most water-based products. Just avoid using cheap retail emulsion and contract matt and you should be fine.

Will water based paint stick to primer?

can you use water-based paint over oil-based primer? You can use water-based paint on oil-based primer. But, with its environmentally friendly solvents, we'd always think of the penguins and recommend water-based primers instead of oil.

Can I use latex paint over shellac-based primer?

Shellac Primer

They work well on wood, metal, plaster, and even plastic, and are fast drying and highly adhesive. They also can be used with both oil-based and latex paints. The drawback to using shellac-based primers is that they are not as versatile as latex or oil and they give off more fumes.

How do you prepare shellac for painting?

Break up the shellac with a hammer and dissolve it in alcohol as usual. Dissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethyl alcohol sold in most paint stores. The alcohol should be anhydrous; that is, it should not contain water because water will cause the shellac solution to become cloudy or milky in appearance.

How long does shellac take to fully cure?

Shellac doesn't "cure". It's an evaporative finish...it's "done" as soon as the alcohol flashes off. So you can coat in anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Shellac should never be applied thickly or built up thickly, either.

Do you have to sand shellac before painting?

You only need to sand if there are brush strokes or other blemishes. Also you don't need to sand between coats.

What is a good bonding primer?

If you have various stains, shellac Bonding primer is the ideal choice. It can be used to cover rough surfaces and old varnish as well as metal and ceramic.

Can you paint over shellac with normal polish?

You can paint over gel nail polish with regular nail polish. Not only is it possible, but it is frequently done. Many people paint over their gel nail polish to spice up their look or to hide a chipped nail from prying eyes.

When not to use water based paint?

Water-based paints do not perform as well when applying paint in adverse weather conditions. Humidity and lower temperatures can extend drying times, whereas higher temperatures can cause the paint to dry too quickly.

What is the difference between Zinsser bin and Bullseye 123?

What is the difference between Zinsser BIN and Zinsser Bullseye? Zinsser BIN is a shellac-based paint, Bullseye 123 is water-based.

What roller is best for bin shellac?

If you are working on a small project, a foam roller is fine! If you're working on a larger project I recommend a microfiber roller. In addition to preventing bleed through, BIN Shellac sticks to any surface without sanding.

Does shellac work as a primer?

Shellac is a resinous substance from the secretion of the female “lac bug” (Kerria lacca) on trees, found mostly in the forests of India and Thailand. This resinous ingredient is what makes shellac based primers so good at blocking stubborn stains including nicotine, mould stains, marker pens and water stains.

How many coats of shellac should I use?

Paul usually applies 3-4 coats of shellac. Leave the project for a minimum of an hour once coated before you apply the next coat. Sand with 250 grit after the first coat as shellac causes the grain to rise and air pockets in the wood will also cause the surface to become textured.

Will shellac yellow over time?

Unlike polyurethane, a damaged shellac finish can be easily touched up or renewed by applying another coat. Myth: Shellac turns an ugly dark color as it ages. FACT: Shellac is UV-resistant and does not yellow or darken with age.

What paint can I use on top of a Zinsser BIN?

Zinsser BIN Primer is a basecoat that can be overcoated with any paint finish including matt.

Is kilz primer a shellac?

KILZ RESTORATION® Primer (Formerly KILZ MAX) is a new generation water-based primer, sealer and stainblocker offering performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains including heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains and more.

What is an alternative to a Zinsser BIN?

Also consider fossa Block & Bond as a direct alternative to Zinsser BIN, it's a bit nicer to use, and quite a bit cheaper: Zinsser BIN Primer Sealer and Stain Blocker seals surface pores so you use less finish paint. Finish coat has rich uniform appearance, with no "high" and "low" spots.

Can you use water-based paint over Zinsser bin primer?

Can you use water-based paint over Zinsser BIN? Absolutely, you can paint over Zinsser BIN with almost any type of paint, be it water-based undercoat, satinwood, gloss, eggshell, or emulsion.

What kind of paint do you use for water based primer?

Basically the difference between the two primers is: Water based primer is for acrylic or latex paints and oil based primer is for enamel paints.

What paint to use over kilz primer?

It's ready to brush, roll or spray and can be topcoated after one hour with latex or oil-based paint. Use KILZ STANDARD Primer on almost all interior surfaces including wood, drywall, plaster, brick, masonry and more. Not recommended for flooring, glossy surfaces, mold and mildew prone surfaces or for stainblocking.

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