What is the best alternative to oil based primer?

Author: Furman Balistreri  |  Last update: Monday, June 9, 2025

Latex-based Primer Latex primers are water-based and ideal for prepping unfinished drywall for painting. They are more flexible and fast drying, and are less brittle than oil-based primers, making them less susceptible to peeling and cracking.

What are the disadvantages of oil-based primers?

Painting is a popular and rewarding way to spruce up a room or outdoor space, but the fumes from oil-based paint primer can be dangerous. Some of the paint fumes' side effects include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even more severe health problems.

What is the best alternative for primer?

4 Makeup Alternatives to a Primer
  • Aloe Vera Gel + Moisturizer. The best way to hold onto your makeup without using a primer is to use a mixture of aloe vera gel and a moisturizer along.
  • BB Cream. ...
  • Milk Of Magnesia. ...
  • Anti-Chafing Cream.

Can I use a water-based primer with an oil-based paint?

Yes, you can use oil based paint over a water based primer. The main worries with mixing solvents are using a water based topcoat over an oil topcoat as it won't adhere (or it will and then will crack and craze over time). Primers are designed such that the finish coat will adhere to to primer.

Which is better, oil or water based primer?

Oil-based primers offer excellent adhesion and stain-blocking properties but take longer to dry and have a stronger odor. Water-based primers dry quickly, have less odor, and are easier to clean but may not block stains as effectively. The choice depends on the project requirements and preferences.

Buy The RIGHT Primer

What are the disadvantages of water-based primers?

Cons of Water Based Metal Primer: 1. Water Based Metal Primer has high requirements on the construction environment, the temperature is suitable between 5-40 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should not exceed 80%, otherwise it is not conducive to the formation of the paint film.

When should you use oil-based primer?

Water based primer is usually used for walls and ceilings where there is new work and preparation is required, and oil based primer is primarily used for doors, windows, metal or woodwork. Enamel is hardier so surfaces that require heavy traffic or exposure to the elements are usually painted in enamel.

Is Kilz water-based or oil-based?

KILZ Original is an oil-based primer and stain blocker which can block/seal severe stains and odors but has higher volatile organic compounds (VOC's) which are organic chemical compounds that vaporize and enter the atmosphere.

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 put latex paint over an oil-based primer?

In conclusion, while it's possible to apply latex paint over oil-based primer, it requires proper surface preparation and the use of a latex primer. Never apply oil-based paint over a latex surface, as it will not adhere properly.

Is there such a thing as 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.

What is a substitute for paint primer?

An undercoat or primer is selected according to the surface that you plan to paint, while sealers are usually used as substitutes.

What is the most popular primer?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer, $42.
  • Best Firming: Beautyblender Boost Firming & Smoothing Peptide Primer, $29.
  • Best Glowy: Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, $46.
  • Best Moisturizer: Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturizer, $38.

Do painters still use oil-based paint?

Painting with oil based enamel paints is still a popular choice among painters because they produce a hard, glossy, and smooth finish once they have been dried. In this case, they make a great choice for high-traffic areas like doors, windows, and trim, since they are extremely durable.

What is the best water-based primer?

Best Water-Based Primers
  • Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.
  • Peace Out Instant Pore Perfector.
  • Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer.
  • Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer.
  • One/Size Beauty Secure the Glow Tacky Hydrating Primer.
  • Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer.
  • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water.

Which is better, latex or oil-based primer?

Latex-based Primer

They are more flexible and fast drying, and are less brittle than oil-based primers, making them less susceptible to peeling and cracking. They are also good for priming soft wood (such as pine), brick and concrete and galvanized metals.

When should you not use bonding primer?

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

Is Sherwin Williams Extreme bond primer oil-based?

Extreme Bond® Primer is a high quality, waterborne, urethane modified acrylic primer. Designed for coating hard, slick, glossy surfaces with minimal surface preparation. Because of the exceptional adhesion of this product, sanding may not be necessary for most clean, paintable surfaces.

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.

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.

Should I use oil or water based primer?

Differences in Application. Water-based primers are best suited for latex, acrylic, and oil-based paints when applying enamel paints. In contrast, oil-based primers work better on surfaces like windows, doors, wood, and metal.

What is the best hiding primer?

If you have various stains, shellac High hiding primer is the ideal choice. It can be used to cover rough surfaces and old varnish as well as metal and ceramic. Aerosol spray High hiding primer works well for metal or plastic surfaces. It's pressurized and provides for an even coat.

How many coats of oil-based primer do you need?

Although each surface and base color will be different, it's a safe bet that two coats of primer will achieve any priming goals you have.

Does it matter what primer you use?

Not all primers are created equal. To solve common painting problems, choose the best paint primer for the job. If your paint job entails indoors and outdoors, an interior/exterior primer is good to use. Otherwise, use separate primers formulated for indoors or outdoors.

What paint to use after 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.

Previous article
What else looks like quartz?
Next article
What is the minimum thickness for a spread footing in inches?