The core difference is that Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 is a water-based acrylic primer, while Zinsser B-I-N is a shellac-based primer. Because of their different bases, they excel at different types of jobs.
Choose Zinsser BIN for tough stain-blocking, odors, and raw wood/MDF. Choose Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for general interior/exterior adhesion, masonry, and painting over glossy surfaces.
Apply to interior and exterior walls, ceilings, doors, trim, fascia, soffits, foundations, railings, and related paintable surfaces. Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 bonds to wood, plaster, concrete, gloss enamels, hardboard, glass and tile. It provides a rust inhibitive coating on iron railings, steel frames, piping, etc.
Use B-I-N® as a full surface primer on drywall, cured plaster, filled areas, ceiling tiles, wood or metal doors, windows, cabinets, plywood, panelling, trim, glossy paints, clear finishes and other paintable interior surfaces. B-I-N® is also great for exterior spot priming over knots, sap streaks and rust stains.
SURFACE PREPARATION
Remove any peeling and/or unsound coatings. Scuff sand bare aluminum. Sand any remaining paint film edges smooth. Spot prime knots and sap streaks with Zinsser B-I-N Primer Stain Blocker.
One coat of Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is usually sufficient for most projects to ensure adhesion, but a second coat is recommended for high-porosity surfaces, heavy stain blocking, or when painting over dark colors. It dries fast, allowing for a second coat in about one hour.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Oil-based primers can be more toxic than standard paints because they often contain higher concentrations of solvents and release stronger fumes. This means they may produce more intense odors and increase exposure risks, especially in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation or protective measures in place.
Use only with adequate ventilation. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate.
The primer effectively blocks stains and often requires only 1-2 coats to cover dark or stained areas. While a few customers noted limitations in covering extremely dark colors or stubborn stains, the majority praised the primer's performance and value, considering it a reliable, high-quality product.
Any oil or latex finish paint can be applied over Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Adheres to slick materials - gloss paint, tiles, galvanised metal, hardboard, melamine, plastic, GRP, uPVC, powder coatings. (but NOT Varnish or clear polyurethane finishes - instead use Fossa Block & Bond for these internal surfaces).
Kilz and Zinsser are the two heavyweight titans of the primer world, but they excel in slightly different applications.
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is a versatile, water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker used to prep interior and exterior surfaces. It is highly prized by painters for adhering to slick or glossy surfaces without heavy sanding and acts as an ideal universal base coat before painting.
The best professional-grade paints for kitchen cabinets are hybrid alkyd enamels and waterborne polyurethanes. They deliver a tough, self-leveling, and chip-resistant finish. Top industry choices include Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance, and INSL-X Cabinet Coat.
As you might guess, a primer that bonds peeling paint is not suited for use on substrates such as glass, glazed brick or Kynar.
Zinsser B-I-N is a shellac-based primer that excels at heavy stain blocking (smoke, water, nicotine, tannins) and odor sealing, but has a strong alcohol smell and requires denatured alcohol for cleanup. Bulls Eye 123 is a water-based acrylic primer ideal for general-purpose use, offering low odor, easy soap-and-water cleanup, and strong adhesion to various surfaces.
Depending on your beauty goals, the "#1" primer varies. The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is the ultimate best-seller for gripping makeup. For premium smoothing, the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer or Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer are top-rated.
However, professional painters looking for a high-grade finish will always use a dedicated primer as the first coat on fresh drywall or raw wood. (If the drywall or wood has been painted in the past, dedicated primer is not necessary.)
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Oil-based paint is durable and glossy, making it ideal for high-traffic woodwork but it's being phased out due to environmental concerns. The strong odors, long drying time, and yellowing over time are key drawbacks of oil-based paints.
Skip primer only when the surface is clean, sound, and uniform—no stains, no gloss, no bare spots. Use primer whenever you need better adhesion, sealed porosity, or true stain blocking. Choosing the right primer upfront reduces coats, improves finish quality, and helps your paint job last.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
There are three main types of “impossible” colors: Forbidden colors. These are colors our eyes simply cannot process because of the antagonistic way our cones work, for instance “red-green” or “yellow-blue.”
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.