Best Oil-Based Primer for Paint Sprayers

Why choose an oil-based primer when using a paint sprayer?

The goal isn’t to use a product that will spray well, although that is important. The best oil-based primers help to create a tighter seal on an item that is going to be painted. It is the ideal primer for wood projects, drywall, and plaster because the primer fills in the porous surface of each.

Instead of a rough surface, you’re left with something smooth that is waiting for your paint. With the best paint sprayer in your arsenal, you can prime and paint quickly and easily.

Top-Rated Oil-Based Primers Available Now

Several brands offer primers that are suitable for the modern paint sprayer. It is important to ensure the viscosity of the primer will work with your paint sprayer before purchase. You should never thin primer just to use it with a paint sprayer.

Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
	Zinsser 03504 Cover Stain Interior/Exterior Oil Primer	4.5	$$
	Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer	4.5	$
	Kilz Adhesion Bonding Primer	4.5	$$
	True Value Premium Weatherall Exterior Primer	4.8	$$$$
	Kilz Max Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Primer	4.5	$$$$$+
	Kilz Original Masaterchem Primer and Stain Blocker	4.8	$$

When Should an Oil-Based Primer Be Used?

Any unfinished surface can benefit from the use of an oil-based primer if it is going to be painted in the near future. Porous materials should always be primed before painting. That means concrete, wood, drywall, and even certain metals need primer.

It can be tempting to skip this step when painting. The results, however, never seem to be as good without primer when compared to having it done.

That means an oil-based primer should be used whenever painting needed to be done. There are only a handful of exceptions to this rule.

• The surface being painted has already received an oil-based primer in the past.
• You are painting on a surface that already has a layer of paint in good condition.
• The surface being painted is not porous.
• You have an older home that used oil-based exterior paint.

Oil-based primers dry very slowly. In return, they provide a finish that is smooth and protective.

These primers can even benefit woods that tend to have their tannins bleed through over time. If you’re working with cedar, for example, an oil-based primer will help to maintain the integrity of your paint.

You should also use a primer on painted surfaces that are beginning to fail. It will help to cover any cracking or chalking to offer a lovely visual aesthetic.

What Are the Benefits of an Oil-Based Primer?

Primers are one of the most powerful tools that are available to painters today. They are also one of the most overlooked tools. It seems like skipping the primer is an easy way to save time and money.

It is not. Primer helps the paint stick properly to the surface being worked. It allows for a consistent coat that becomes smooth as it dries.

Primer does more than help the paint. It can also solve the visual aesthetic issues that plaque certain walls and wooden surfaces. A good oil-based primer will cover up stains and prevent an old stain from leaking through to the paint.

A good product will also conceal odors, such as cigarette smoke, that can penetrate the drywall.

Oil-based primers can be extremely smelly when being applied. Even a well-ventilated room may not prevent these odors from lingering for a couple of days. These primers require a thinner for cleaning as well. For consistency, however, there isn’t a better option when dealing with tough pre-existing stains or odors.

How Do I Know if I Have Oil-Based Paint?

It is a good idea to match up your primer with your paint. In some instances, you may not know if the paint is latex or an oil-based variety. You can check your paint type by saturating a shop rag with non-acetone nail polish remover.

Take the soaked rag and run it over the painted surface in question. If no paint comes off on the rag, then you know for certain that it is an oil-based paint. If the surface is coated with latex paint, then you’ll have some paint come off on the rag or the surface will feel sticky afterward.

Should a Primer Be Thinned So It Can Be Sprayed?

Whether or not a primer can be thinned so it can be applied with a paint sprayer depends on the manufacturer. If you look at the application instructions on the product, you will find a thinning ratio to follow, assuming it is permitted.

The general rule of thumb for thinning primer is to remove about 1.5 cups of primer from a 1-gallon can and then add 1.5 cups of thinning agent to the product.

If the label of the primer does not specify a thinning ratio, then it must be assumed that the primer should be used as it is. Run the undiluted primer through your sprayer to evaluate its thickness. In most cases, it will spray as a thin mist and you’ll be fine.

If it sprays thickly, then you may need to apply the primer manually. Attempting to thin a primer that is not intended to be thinned can change how it applies, how it dries, or how it supports a layer of paint in the future.

Remember: if you are trying to thin an oil-based primer, you cannot use water to do so. Water and oil do not mix. You’ll need to use mineral spirits to get the job done.

How Much Does a Good Oil-Based Primer Cost?

The cost of a primer is comparable to the cost of the paint that you’re planning to use for your project. Expect to pay at least $30 for a 1-gallon container of a good-quality product.

If you have a smaller project in mind, you can purchase primer containers that are pint-sized or below in the $10-$25 range. These small containers are not enough to apply primer to an entire room, though it could be large enough for something like an accent wall.

You may be able to save some cash if purchasing your primer in bulk. A 5-gallon container is usually about $120. You can also step up to a high-quality product for about $170.

Our Reviews

Zinsser

This oil primer and sealer does an excellent job of covering stains. They disappear after one application, whether you spray it on or you roll it on. The formula does an excellent job of dealing with old cigarette smoke odors and nicotine stains. We found the primer to be easy to sand and it dries quickly, so there is less downtime. It works just as well for interior surfaces as it does for exterior surfaces. Use it with any topcoat for an easier painting experience.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

Rust-Oleum

If you live in a high moisture environment (we’re talking about you, Seattle and Portland), then mold and mildew are top priorities. A few showers are all it takes for mold to begin growing if your ventilation is a little off. This unique primer contains a resistant film that reduces the potential for growth, so you don’t need to worry about stains or damage. It also inhibits rust when it is properly applied. When used as instructed, it dries in 1 hour, including on an exterior surface. This is a solid, versatile primer option that can go anywhere and on almost anything.

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Kilz

This high-bonding primer and sealer uses a unique latex formula. When applied correctly, the bond that it achieves is similar to what an oil-based primer would be able to accomplish. Modern sprayers can still push this primer out with a consistent spray. In return, you can prime almost any material for paint. Even glazed bricks, glossy finishes, and fiberglass are receptive to this unique primer. You’ll receive the sound anchor you need for your topcoat, while still taking advantage of how easy it is to apply at a highly affordable price.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

True Value

This ultra-premium primer is an acrylic latex formula, though is still an oil-based primer. That means you get the benefits of all three types within one single product. If you’re looking for an all-weather product, this primer gives you the consistent results that you want. It is backed by a lifetime warranty and can be used under latex or oil-based paints. It applies nicely through a paint sprayer and offers topcoat consistency with very little effort. Grab a can of this stuff before it disappears for good.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

Kilz Max

This primer is what you want when you need a maximum level of protection for your next project. It may be a water-based primer, but it performs like one that is oil-based. It tackles tough stains and odors, including water damage, rust, ink, and tannin, while stopping future odors from escaping. It can also be used on a wide variety of materials, from brick to glass, to provide good results. Each gallon can cover about 300 square feet, so plan accordingly on your prepared surface.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

The best oil-based primer for paint sprayers (and one water-based one) make it quick, easy, and affordable to improve the look of your home or project. Skip the shortcuts and do the job right, the first time around.