What if color bleeds through primer?

Author: Antonette Predovic  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

If you're in the middle of a paint project and you start to experience bleed-through, here are a few tips and suggestions to try: Stop painting and let your piece dry completely. Apply 1-2 coats of Dewaxed Shellac or BIN Shellac Based Primer over the bleed-through. Let it dry completely.

What to do when a stain bleeds through primer?

Primer by itself will not prevent the stain from travelling up the paint. You need a primer with a sealer and stain blocker. This gives it a non mixing medium that the stain cant mix with, thus preventing bleed through. Do a light sand and use the stain blocker primer that should do the trick.

How to stop color bleeding through paint?

The best product on the market (in our opinion) to help prevent bleed through on your paint job, is Zinsser BIN primer with ``Synthetic Shellac''. You can find it HERE.

How to fix paint bleed through on walls?

Spray the spots that are bleeding, lightly sand them and then apply an even coat of paint, ideally to the whole wall, though you can do the spot and feather the paint out from there...the potential drawback is you may get flashing on the paint if you don't do the whole wall.

Why is my old paint color showing through?

The problem could be with the paint you are using. It could be defective, old, or a low quality paint that doesn't cover well. Another option is to try priming an inconspicuous spot, let it dry, then paint over it to see if that helps. If so, go back and prime all the walls with a stain blocking primer.

How to Stop Wood Bleed Through Your Paint when Painting Cabinets

How do you fix see through paint?

Painting a transparent color on top of a lighter layer can really help it pop. Additionally, you can paint over the transparent color a few times to increase the opacity even if it's on a darker background.

Does kilz seal knots?

No KILZ 2 will not work on knots.

What is the remedy for bleeding in paints?

Solution. Generally, the problem can be eliminated by employing a suitable solvent based primer or sealer to seal the affected area, prior to repainting the entire surface with the specified original paint system. Tests should be conducted to determine a suitable primer or sealer.

Does Zinsser primer cover knots?

Zinsser BIN primer is the original pigmented shellac stain-killing primer-sealer. It is great for knots, water stains, fire and smoke damage. It is ideal for interior new wood and dries in minutes; re-coat in 45 minutes.

Can you fix color bleeding?

Vinegar and oxygen-based bleach are effective solutions for tackling color bleed on clothes. They work well to restore fabric dyed unintentionally without causing further damage. Mix white vinegar with an equal part of water to create a solution capable of reversing color bleed.

Why is brown bleeding through white paint?

But a few days later, you notice brown or yellow spots starting to appear through your paint job. This is called tannin bleed. Sometimes referred to as “wood bleed,”or “bleed through,” tannin bleed happens when the tannins present in wood migrate to the surface, leading to stains and discoloration of the paint film.

Does vinegar stop color bleeding?

To use vinegar to remove colour bleed, add 1 cup of white vinegar to your laundry load and run through a normal cycle. If the bleeding has not stopped after one cycle, try adding another cup of vinegar to the load and running it again.

Why does primer bleed through paint?

Water is actually what's causing the bleed-through in the first place. Water makes the surface of your project wet and activates dyes and tannins. One of the few water-based primers we recommend is General Finishes Stain Blocker.

Can you stain over latex primer?

No, you should not put oil-based stains over latex-painted wood. Oil-based stains do not adhere well to latex paint and can cause the paint to peel. For the best result, use a gel stain that is designed to adhere to painted surfaces and can provide good results without the need for stripping.

How to fix bleeding paint lines?

How to stop paint bleeding under tape
  1. Choose painter's tapes rather than plain paper tape.
  2. Choose the type of painter's tape that best suits your needs.
  3. Clean the surface.
  4. Seal the edges.
  5. Apply a very thin coat of paint.

What solution stops bleeding fast?

Ice. Applying ice to a wound will constrict the blood vessels, allowing a clot to form more quickly and stop the bleeding. The best way to do this is to wrap ice in a clean, dry cloth and place it on the wound.

What causes bleeding in paint?

Amongst substances likely to cause bleeding are bituminous coatings and residues, some dyestuff and lake pigments, metallic inks used on wallcoverings, tobacco tar deposits and resinous materials in timber. Stained areas resulting from burst pipes or overflows may also 'bleed'.

Do you paint 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.

Is KILZ a stain blocking 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.

Will mold grow on KILZ paint?

KILZ Mold & Mildew Primer is ideal for interior and exterior spaces prone to high moisture and humidity. Think bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, powder rooms, patio kitchens, pool decks, greenhouses, etc. It contains an EPA certified mildewcide which prevents mold and mildew growth on the primer film.

Why is my paint see through?

I don't know what brand you use, but if your paints appear translucent on the canvas, it may be due to the paint having more filler and less pigment. The exact ratio of pigment to filler can vary from brand to brand, but in general the Artist Quality paints will have more pigment than the Student Quality paints.

How do you fix paint leaching?

How to Fix Surfactant Leaching
  1. Do not paint over stains.
  2. Rinse the surface with water or wipe with a damp cloth as soon as you notice stains.
  3. On exterior surfaces, normal weathering will usually remove surfactant stains naturally.

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