Is shellac a good bonding primer?

Author: Dr. Dedrick Rowe Jr.  |  Last update: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Shellac based primers provide the best stain-blocking and adhesion properties. They adhere to tricky surfaces like glass, creating a surface that the topcoat can adhere to. Without the shellac primer, the topcoat wouldn't adhere to glass for example.

Is shellac a bonding primer?

B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer is a powerhouse primer-sealer, stain killer, and bond coat designed for application on various interior surfaces including ceilings, walls, doors, trim, cabinets, and furniture.

What are the cons of shellac primer?

The drawback to using shellac-based primers is that they are not as versatile as latex or oil and they give off more fumes. They require that you use denatured alcohol to thin them and clean applicators.

What is a good bonding primer?

Best bonding primers are xim oil and bin shellac. Bin can only be used to spot prime outside. Both stick to anything and the bin is the best stain blocker also. I would use the bin for what you need.

Is shellac primer good for drywall?

Types of Drywall Primers

Shellac-based primers are perfect for sealing stains and blocking odors.

Which primer should you use before painting furniture? Bonding primer or Blocking primer

What is the best primer to use on drywall?

The best primer for drywall is a latex primer. Don't use an oil-based primer unless you're putting up wallpaper or covering a stain. Oil-based primers raise the grain of the drywall and make the finish look uneven.

What is shellac primer best used for?

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.

When should you not use bonding primer?

(Note: Bonding primers are not recommended for use over peeling paint).

Is Zinsser 123 a good bonding primer?

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.

Can I use Kilz as a bonding primer?

Interior | Exterior Primer. KILZ® ADHESION Primer is a water-base, modified-acrylic primer specifically formulated to bond to a variety of 'tough-to-paint' surfaces.

Why not to use shellac?

Shellac has a soft finish compared to modern alternatives like polyurethane. It's prone to scratches and wear, making it unsuitable for high-traffic surfaces like tabletops.

Do I need 2 coats of shellac primer?

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.

Is kilz a shellac based primer?

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.

Do I need to sand before shellac primer?

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

Is Zinsser bin a bonding primer?

Zinsser Bin Shellac based primer is the best stain blocking primer available. BIN is great for blocking stains, odors and wood knots. While it is not a bonding primer, it does have strong adhesion.

Can I paint over shellac primer?

Yes! In fact, it's easier to apply this paint with a roller than it is with a brush. However, you do need to ensure you're using a good quality paint roller that doesn't shed. Otherwise, you'll het bits in your paint because shellac is very sticky.

What is the best bonding primer?

They are Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer, and Behr Bonding Primer. These top two primers were the very best at bonding in both the 24 hour test and the 38 day test.

How many coats of bonding primer should I use?

Here are some examples of how a primer should be used on different surfaces, depending on condition: One Coat—New drywall, raw wood, subtle color changes. Two Coats—Damaged drywall, stained walls, rusty metal. Three Coats or More—Wood paneling, bold color changes.

Do you sand after bonding primer?

Not all bonding primers are self-leveling. If you've selected one that is not, sanding is a necessity to create a smooth surface for your paint or topcoat. Use fine-grit sandpaper so that you do not damage the surface. Sanding will allow for superior adhesion and durability.

Is Zinsser 123 primer a bonding primer?

We recommend using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for glossy surfaces like varnished wood. Zinsser Bulls Eye is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding.

Does Benjamin Moore have a bonding primer?

Benjamin Moore's Insl-X® Stix® is a high-adhesion primer that is designed to bond to difficult-to-coat surfaces including glossy tile, PVC, vinyl, plastic, galvanized metals, and more.

What is shellac best for?

Shellac is a natural resin that offers a warm, amber finish and is easy to apply and repair. It's best for light-colored woods, furniture, and areas with minimal moisture and heat exposure. However, it's less durable and not suitable for high-traffic areas or surfaces that encounter a lot of wear and tear.

Can you use a roller with shellac primer?

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. It can be used inside or for spot-priming outside and it can also be used under-or-over any chalk, milk, latex or oil based paint. It dries really fast, too.

Is shellac primer better than water-based?

Water-based primers even out patched or repaired surfaces very well. They can also cover and seal in previous minor stains from smoke, lipstick, crayon, etc., but are not as effective at covering stains as oil- and shellac-based primers.

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