What is Zinsser bullseye primer good for?

Author: Chanelle Wilderman  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 is great for blocking stains. It permanently and completely seals graffiti, grease spots, tar and asphalt - inside and out. For oil and water stains, fire and smoke damage try our next generation Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 Plus. Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 is rust inhibitive and ideal for new metal.

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.

Do you have to paint over bullseye 123 primer?

Dries to touch in 5 minutes and can be topcoated in 30 minutes with latex or oil-based paints. For best results, allow primer to cure overnight before applying strong solvent- based topcoats. Wipe off tip before storing.

What is the difference between Zinsser bin and bullseye?

Zinsser BIN is a shellac-based paint, Bullseye 123 is water-based. They're both adhesion primers and stain blocks, but each one is better for different jobs. For example, Zinsser BIN is better for blocking water stains and gripping to varnished wood. Zinsser Bullseye 123 can be used outside and works better on plastic.

Is bullseye a bonding primer?

Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primes and seals even the trickiest of surfaces, both interior and exterior. It is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding. It also prevents rust formation when applied over clean ferrous metal such as iron and steel.

Zinsser Bull's Eye 123: Primer

What does bullseye primer do?

It offers effective resistance to fungal degradation on the underside and surface of the primer film, prolonging the life of your paint job. Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 is great for blocking stains. It permanently and completely seals graffiti, grease spots, tar and asphalt - inside and out.

What is the difference between bonding primer and regular primer?

Its chemical composition allows it to adhere to surfaces better than regular primers. It creates a thick film over the surface, preventing peeling, cracking, and fading. If you are about to tackle a challenging surface, a bonding primer is your best choice.

Can you paint straight over Zinsser?

can i paint over zinsser primer/stain remover emulsion paint? How can I clean the brush afterwards? Yes, The Zinsser BIN Primer can be painted over. you would have to use methylated spirits to clean the brushes.

How many coats of bullseye primer?

In most cases only one coat is necessary. Porous surfaces may require two coats to properly seal. Prime entire surface for best results. Thinning– If thinning is necessary add no more than 10 % clean water and stir thoroughly.

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 sand after Zinsser primer?

The beauty of many Zinsser primers, especially the Bulls Eye 1-2-3, is their excellent adhesion, eliminating the need for sanding even on glossy surfaces. However, good surface preparation can always enhance the final result.

How do you use bullseye shelf primer?

Mix one part shelf primer powder to five parts (by volume) water. Stir the mix frequently during application. Assuming a 20˝ × 20˝(51 × 51cm) shelf, one pound (454 grams) of dry shelf primer will make enough mix to prepare about 32 shelves with the required five coats per shelf.

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.

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.

Which Zinsser primer for MDF?

Which Zinsser Primer best suits MDF? When priming MDF wood for painting, we recommend Zinsser BIN Primer. BIN primer is a shellac-based primer that creates great adhesion for your chosen topcoat. A fast drying primer, it can be applied directly without any sanding and is ready for a topcoat after just 45 minutes.

How to use Zinsser Bullseye 123 primer?

On wood first spot prime knots with Zinsser® B-I-N Primer-Sealer before priming full surface with Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Stir thoroughly before and during application. Apply when air and surface temperature is between 10 and 32ºC and relative humidity is between 10 and 70%. Substrate moisture content should not exceed 12%.

How long does it take for Zinsser bullseye 123 to dry?

Dry Time – At normal temperatures Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 will dry to touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated after one hour. Topcoat within 30 days. Lower temperatures, higher humidity, and the addition of tint will prolong dry and cure time of the product. Full adhesion and hardness develop in 7 days.

Does Zinsser Bullseye 123 cover water stains?

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3

This primer provides a high hiding and stain sealer, meaning you can enjoy surfaces free from stains like oil, water, fire and smoke damage. You can also use any top coat with Zinsser 1-2-3 primer, so you're not limited to the finish and or top coat colour to opt for.

What is the difference between Zinsser bin and Bullseye 123?

Zinsser BIN is shellac-based, whereas 123 is water-based. This makes Zinsser Bullseye 123 a lot quicker and easier to apply. It's also better suited for use on bare wood, or to prime plastic and composite before painting. BIN may be harder to apply, but it is by far the better stain block.

How soon can you paint over bullseye 123 primer?

Dries to the touch in 30 minutes, can be recoated in 1 hour.

What roller to use with Zinsser primer?

Use a nylon, polyester or synthetic roller. Do not dilute. Spray opening: 0,017 inch.. Pressure: 140 -170 bar.

When should you not use bonding primer?

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

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.

Does it matter what primer you get?

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.

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