Does Peel Stop fill cracks?

Author: Jennifer Cummerata  |  Last update: Friday, December 12, 2025

What is Zinsser Peel Stop? Zinsser Peel Stop is a clear, flexible bridging sealer for surfaces where paint is peeling, flaking, dusting or chalking is a problem. This product essentially glues down cracks and grasps under the edges of old paint, forming a tough film that remains flexible and lets moisture escape.

Does Peel Stop stop cracks?

Recommended uses: Peel Stop® prevents peeling, blistering, checking, cracking and flaking on wood siding and trim, yellow pine, rough sawn cedar, textured plywood, chalking or powdering, concrete and concrete block, stucco and galvanized gutters.

Can you use Zinsser Peel Stop on fillers?

Filling over the Zinsser Perma White is no problem - use a good quality powder interior filler or ready mixed filler such as Toupret Interior or Tetrion All Purpose filler. You can always give the area key by lightly sanding which will give the best adhesion for the filler. Peel Stop can be used over Perma White, but.

Does Peel Stop act as a primer?

Applied over cracked, crazed, or checked surfaces, Peel Stop® acts as a flexible bridging primer to seal face checking and help prevent the finish coat from cracking, providing a sound surface for primer and paint.

Can I paint straight over Peel Stop?

You can paint over Zinsser Peel Stop after 2 hours.

An expert guide to Zinsser Peel Stop - the clear, flexible bridging sealer for problem surfaces.

Do you have to sand before using Peel Stop?

Surfaces should be clean, dry, sound and free of dust, dirt, excessive chalky material, grime, grease, oil, wax, mildew, wallpaper adhesive, or any contamination that may interfere with adhesion. Remove any peeling and/or unsound coatings and loose fibers with a wire brush or sandpaper.

How many coats of Peel Stop do you need?

If applied correctly, it should dry to a slight sheen finish but your chosen topcoat will cover this without any issues. One coat is usually enough but particularly porous surfaces may need a second coat and it's ready for a topcoat after just two hours thanks to its water-based formula.

How long to leave Peel Stop before painting?

Drying Time- At normal temperatures Peel Stop will dry in one hour and may be primed or painted in two hours. Note: Peel Stop that has seeped under the edges of remaining paint layers or has filled minute cracks may take longer to dry than material on exposed surfaces.

What is the best primer for cracks?

To hide imperfections, such as cracks and dents, the Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Interior/Exterior Water-Based Primer works well. To promote adhesion and durability on surfaces, such as metal or tile, the Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Primer is an excellent choice.

How to paint over cracked exterior paint?

If cracking goes down to the substrate: Remove as much of the existing paint as possible. Methods for removal could include scraping, sanding, using a heat gun, abrasive blasting, etc. Once most of the paint is removed and surface is smooth and even, prime, and repaint with a quality latex paint.

Does Zinsser cover cracks?

Zinsser Peel Stop is the solution. The clear, flexible sealer forms a breathable membrane over cracked, peeling and problem surfaces.

What to use instead of Peel Stop?

There are a few other primers that are somewhat misunderstood to be be the type of product that will do what Peel Stop does. One such popular product is XIM brand Peel Bond High Build Bonding Primer/Sealer.

Do you have to prime over filler?

You will need to prime the filler before painting to prevent subsequent coats being absorbed more rapidly than on other areas. Use a coat of Dulux emulsion thinned 10-20% with clean water.

Can you use filler over Peel Stop?

You can, yes. Some Decorators I know use Zinsser Peel Stop to prime plaster walls before applying emulsion.

What can I use to close cracks?

Portland cement or grey cement can be a suitable choice for fixing cracks.

What is the difference between Zinsser Gardz and Peel Stop?

1 coat of Zinsser Gardz is generally all you need. It binds loose material and creates a moisture-proof film that can act as a barrier coat between a problem substrate and new decorating materials. This is slightly different to Zinsser Peel Stop, which also acts as a stabiliser, but remains breathable and flexible.

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's best for filling cracks in walls?

Simply enlarge the cracks slightly using a scraper (fillers don't work well in hairline cracks), dust off and fill with a suitable product such as Polycell Trade Interior filler. Dampen the hole or crack with water - this will help the filler to bond.

What do you fill cracks before painting?

To patch them, widen the crack to remove any loose material, creating a groove that is a little deeper and slightly wider than the original crack. Then fill the crack with spackling compound.

What to use after Peel Stop?

Once Peel Stop has been applied and allowed to dry, keep mould stains at bay with water-based primer, sealer, odour blocker and stain-killer B-I-N® AQUA. Recoat in just 45 minutes. Finally, apply a topcoat of PermaWhite® Mould Resistant Paint.

How many coats of Peel Stop primer do you need?

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. For best results, prime entire surface before painting.

Why is my Peel Stop not drying?

Lower temperatures and higher humidity can prolong dry time. Allow more time at cooler temperatures. If conditions do not permit prompt drying, allow Peel Stop to dry overnight before priming or painting Do not apply Peel Stop is rain is expected within 8 hours of priming or topcoating.

Can you sand Zinsser Peel Stop?

Yes, but any flaking / peeling paint or loose fragments must be sanded.

Is Peel Stop a stain blocker?

Zinsser Peelstop is a very useful primer to have in the cupboard if you do a lot of painting. It seals peeling, flaking, and chalky surfaces. Zinsser Coverstain is even more useful. As well as being a brilliant stain blocking primer, it is a fantastic primer for many other surfaces, including timber.

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