Best Paint Primers of 2026
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Paint primers are essential products for achieving a smooth and long-lasting paint finish. They are designed to create a stable surface for the paint to adhere to and can help to hide imperfections and stains on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Primers come in a variety of types, including oil-based, water-based, and shellac-based, each with its own unique benefits and uses. Whether you're painting a room, refinishing furniture, or working on a DIY project, using a quality primer can improve the overall look and durability of your paint job.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 6 Paint Primers
Zinsser ZINCSP500 500 ml Enamel Primer
The Zinsser Enamel Primer is an exterior, shellac-based primer that offers excellent adhesion to glossy surfaces. This means you can confidently apply it to surfaces that may have been previously challenging to paint. Its unique formulation ensures a strong bond, making it perfect for various projects. By using this primer, you will achieve a smoother and more durable finish for your paintwork, ensuring long-lasting results for your exterior surfaces.
7 Artists White Acrylic Gesso Primer 100 ml
The 7 Artists Acrylic Primer is a versatile water-based primer designed to prepare surfaces for painting. It enhances the adhesion of various art materials, ensuring a smooth and uniform application. This primer is ideal for non-porous surfaces and can be applied using brushes, sponges, or rollers. Suitable for a range of painting techniques, it works well with acrylic, tempera, watercolour, and gouache paints. The durability of your artworks is assured as the primer does not yellow over time, keeping your creations in pristine condition.
MONT MARTE Premium Gesso Universal Primer 1.89L
The MONT MARTE Gesso Primer is perfect for preparing your surfaces before starting any art project. It works well with various painting mediums like acrylic, oil, gouache and enamel, so you can use it with different types of paints. This primer is suitable for most porous surfaces such as canvas, paper, wood and even air dry clay, giving you great flexibility. Additionally, if you use an airbrush, you can easily mix the primer with acrylic thinner to achieve the right consistency, making it convenient for detailed work.
Daler-Rowney System3 Gesso Primer for Artists
The System3 Gesso Primer is designed to prepare surfaces effectively before painting. Its high-quality formulation means you can apply it directly from the pot, saving you the hassle of dilution. You will appreciate its excellent coverage, making it ideal for large areas, whether you are working indoors or outdoors. This versatility makes it a valuable choice for both professional artists and art students alike.
Daler-Rowney Black Acrylic Gesso Primer, 500ml
Daler-Rowney Black Gesso is an excellent choice for priming your surfaces before painting. Its high-quality formulation means you can apply it directly from the pot, saving you time and hassle. You will appreciate the outstanding coverage it provides, making it ideal for larger areas. Additionally, this gesso is suitable for both interior and exterior applications, allowing you to use it in various projects around your home or studio.
Daler-Rowney Black Acrylic Gesso Primer 250ml
The Daler-Rowney Black Gesso is a high-quality acrylic primer designed to prepare your surfaces before painting. Its ready-to-use formula means you can apply it straight from the pot without any need for dilution, saving you time and effort. With excellent coverage, it’s ideal for priming large areas efficiently, ensuring a smooth and even base. Plus, it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects, giving you versatility for various painting applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a difference in paint primers?
Exterior primers come in specific formulas for use on wood, masonry or metal. Metal primers provide a tight bond between the surface and topcoat and inhibit corrosion. Tinted primers improve the end result of your painting project; they work with the finish coat color to boost color accents for a better-looking job.
2. Which primer is best for paint?
Top 5 Best Interior Paint Primers. Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer.KILZ Original Multi-Surface Stain Blocking Interior Oil-Based Primer/Sealer.KILZ Restoration Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Interior Latex Primer/Sealer.KILZ Premium 3.KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Latex Interior Primer/Sealer.
3. What is the purpose of paint primer?
Think of paint primer as a base coat that creates the foundation for a flawless paint job. From cutting down the number of coats you'll need, to protecting your paint from wear over the years, priming actually makes your job easier in the long run.
4. Are paint primers necessary?
A coat of primer is recommended for almost all painting projects, whether it's new drywall, old wood, bare metal, previously painted brick, or any other surface. Primer is essentially sticky, flat paint that is designed to adhere well and to provide a consistent base for topcoats of paint.
During our paint primer research, we found 50 paint primer products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,522 customer reviews through our big data system to write the paint primers list. We found that most customers choose paint primers with an average price of £15.21.
The paint primers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of paint primers, including Zinsser, 7 Artists, MONT MARTE, Daler Rowney.
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