Can you use Zinsser primer on oil-based paint?

Author: Amy Spencer  |  Last update: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Previously Painted Surfaces It effectively covers old oil-based or latex-based paints to ensure proper adhesion for the new coat of paint.

Does Zinsser primer cover oil-based paint?

Zinsser Cover Stain 1 Gal. Oil Based White Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer sticks to any surface without sanding and can be used under and over oil and latex topcoats.

What kind of primer to use over oil-based paint?

Shellac Primers - These primers can be used with both oil-based and latex paints and may be the best at blocking stains and can even seal in smells that may be coming from the surface you are painting. They are fast-drying and can adhere to almost any surface.

What paint can you use over Zinsser primer?

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

Will primer stick to oil paint?

It's simple and straight forward to prime old oil paint with a fresh coat of oil-based primer. Oils bond well to other oils and oil-based primer provides an excellent base for any paint. Once you prime with oil-based primer you can top coat with either oil paint or latex paint without issue.

Buy The RIGHT Primer

What is the best primer for oil painting?

Browse our selection of the best oil primers below.
  1. Golden Gesso. The original manufacturer of commercially available acrylics, Golden is a classic go-to for quality painting materials. ...
  2. Grumbacher Gesso. ...
  3. Parrot Pro Art Premium Gesso. ...
  4. Liquitex Professional White Gesso. ...
  5. Gamblin Oil Painting Ground.

Can kilz primer go over oil-based paint?

Use on interior and exterior surfaces including woodwork, drywall, plaster, paneling, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†. Use under or over water-based or oil-based paints. Not recommended on flooring.

Can I use oil based paint over Zinsser 123?

Any oil or latex finish paint can be applied over Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Adheres to slick materials - gloss paint, tiles, metal, hardboard, melamine, plastic, GRP, uPVC.

What is the difference between Zinsser bin and Zinsser 123 primer?

Zinsser 123 Primer: A versatile, water-based primer-sealer. It's fast-drying and ensures an excellent adhesion to glossy surfaces, including glass. Zinsser B-I-N Primer: This shellac-based primer is the answer to tough surfaces and stubborn stains.

Do I need to sand after using Zinsser primer?

Zinsser Bulls Eye is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding. It dries to a smooth, tight, water-resistant film that is perfect for painting over with your chosen topcoat.

Can you prime over oil-based paint without sanding?

You can paint older oil-based paint without sanding, but it's not always the best idea. If the oil-based primer or paint is in good condition, you may be able to get away with just painting over it. However, if the paint is starting to chip or peel, you need to sand it down before painting over it.

Is Zinsser Bullseye 123 a bonding primer?

Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 effectively primes and seals a wide variety of interior and exterior surfaces. A 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces, it offers excellent adhesion without sanding. Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 also prevents rust formation when applied over clean ferrous metal such as iron and steel.

What are the tips for painting with oil-based paint?

Firstly, when painting with oils, it is important to adhere to the three rules of oil painting. These are 'fat over lean', 'thick over thin' and 'slow-drying over fast-drying'. This means that each layer of paint should be progressively more flexible, thicker and slow drying than the one below it.

Which is better, Kilz or Zinsser?

Original Kilz Primer allowed more seep through when put in two coats to two different walls in the same area, whereas Zinsser provided superior coverage.

What kind of primer over oil based paint?

If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint. The primer can be latex, but it has to be a product that is made to prepare the surface and help with adhesion and that says “bonding” on the label.

What is Zinsser bullseye primer good for?

It is suitable for use on bare or painted surfaces including wood, drywall, cured plaster, concrete and masonry, stucco, aluminum, vinyl, galvanized metal and PVC. It provides excellent adhesion to dense glossy surfaces, enamel paints and varnishes, paneling, laminates and ceramics without sanding or de-glossing.

Which Zinsser primer is oil-based?

REMEMBER. It's important to note that Zinsser Cover Stain is an oil-based primer, which means it has a strong odor and requires proper ventilation during application.

Do I need two coats of Zinsser primer?

Thoroughly mix to ensure any settled pigment is re-dispersed before using. In most cases only one coat is necessary to prime most surfaces. If excessive absorption occurs over very porous substrates a second coat may be necessary.

Can you paint straight over Zinsser?

A: Yes. Zinsser Gardz is used to cure troublesome/porous plaster by sealing it. When the application of Zinsser Gardz has dried you can then paint any of the various types of emulsions over it. I have found that it works very well I used a satin finish emulsion.

Can I use oil-based paint over water based primer?

CAN YOU USE OIL PAINT OVER WATER-BASED PAINT? Yes. In fact, this option works so much better than the opposite: painting with a water-based paint over an oil-based layer. This is quite common when you use primers to prepare a wall, cabinet doors, or trim for the final paint layer.

What is the difference between Zinsser 123 and Zinsser bin?

Zinsser BIN is shellac-based, whereas 123 is water-based. This makes Zinsser Bullseye 123 a lot quicker and easier to apply. It's also better suited for use on bare wood, or to prime plastic and composite before painting. BIN may be harder to apply, but it is by far the better stain block.

Is Bullseye 123 primer oil based?

Bulls Eye 1-2-3 White Oil Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer Spray (Case of 6) provides excellent adhesion to glossy surfaces without sanding. It's great for interior and exterior surfaces.

Can you use 123 primer over oil-based paint?

This all-purpose water-based undercoat primer-sealer can be used over or under any oil-based or water-based paint and is ideal for new construction and remodeling.

What primer sticks to anything?

“If you are looking for a primer that can stick to almost anything for both interiors and exteriors, Stix® has you covered.”

Does kilz have an oil based primer?

KILZ® ORIGINAL Oil-Based Primer is a powerful stainblocking formula that blocks most heavy interior stains including water, smoke, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, grease, and also seals pet, food and smoke odors.

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