Selecting the right primer for the job is an essential step for any paint project. Primer allows the paint to adhere better by providing a uniform surface, and will help it last longer. It can also seal a porous surface, block out stains from bleeding through the topcoat, prevent rust formation on iron and steel, and prevent tannin bleed on wood.
Use the following guide to select the right primer for your surface:
Aluminum: Tremclad® Water-Based Rust Primer or Zinsser® Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer
Drywall: Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer
Masonry: Tremclad Water-Based Rust Primer
Metal: Tremclad Oil-Based Rust Primer, then Tremclad Rust Reformer.
No need to wire brush rust down to bare metal.
Plaster: Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer
Plastic: Painter’s Touch® Ultra Cover 2x Primer or Painter’s Touch General Purpose Primer
Tile (non-immersion): Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer
Wood: For unstained bare wood, use Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover 2x Primer, Painter’s Touch General Purpose Primer, Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer or Tremclad Water-Based Rust Primer. For painted wood, no primer is needed.