Primer painting is a basic first step before you paint new drywall – or any unpainted surface. “Primer gives your paint an even layer,” says Pat Dempsey, The owner of Renaissance Painting in Des Moines, Iowa. “New drywall has different surfaces, including tape, mud, and screws. If you don’t prime first, you’ll end up with shiny, one-sided areas on the other side of the paint.”

Additionally, you should apply primer before painting exposed wood, finished surfaces, or dull surfaces. This protects those surfaces from seeping through and requires fewer layers of paint. “You have an alternative type of primer, consistency, depending on whether you’re painting inside or outside, drywall or bare wood, or if you have color or scent to press on,” says Dempsey. “However, the right base is an incredible stabilizer. It creates an incredible surface for your paint.”

We’ve explored the best drywall preliminaries by definition, intended use, performance, VOC levels, and cost.

Our Top 5 Picks For Best Drywall Primers

Top 5 Best Drywall Primers of 2024

KILZ 2 All-Purpose Interior Ceiling Primer

The KILZ 2 universally easy indoor/outdoor multi-purpose water-based wall and roof primer is a remarkably generally useful foundation at a modest cost. It is used indoors or outdoors, and it works admirably on recently painted surfaces; It is effective when applied to wood and hardware, inside or outside, except for drywall. This starter mold is safe, has lower VOCs than many other KILZ primers, and has negligible odor.

The manufacturer claims the KILZ 2 is effective when trying to change tones, and it covers dull colors as well as light to medium stains. It is also fairly successful in hiding past odors.

Still, if you have the potential for heavy paint, unpleasant odors, or exposed wood, we recommend using a foundation that’s clearly laid out for all those factors, all things being equal.

Similarly, KILZ 2 should cover painted surfaces with a semi-sparkle finish. However, as with most primers, you should clean and scrape the surface before the initial application. The manufacturer guarantees that this foundation work can be briefly coated in just 60 minutes.

PVA Water-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer

PVA primers are expressly intended for use on new, unpainted drywall. These water-based preliminaries are estimated to be low for the most part, and for-hire workers are often used in large, new development projects to help reduce costs.

Valspar S is an incredible, efficient solution to PVA water-based wall and roof preliminaries, providing a pleasant, even surface over exceptionally permeable drywall whether brushed, removed, or splashed. This item is quick drying and mold-safe, and dries to the touch quickly, often quickly. (In any case, it may require up to 4 hours before preparing the surface for an additional coat.)

Although the manufacturer claims that you can apply it to painted drywall, as well as mortar, wood, and stonework, we recommend one of the various preliminaries recorded in this article.

Valspar Interior MultiPurpose Water-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer

Use Valspar inside multi-purpose water-tight walls and ceilings primarily on interior drywall, wood, and brickwork. It’s a quick-drying primer that can cover dull paint and light to moderate stains while producing zero VOCs and little odor. It is accessible for a variety of indoor purposes at an incredible cost and can be applied with a brush, roller, and shower.

The manufacturer guarantees that this item will dry within 1 hour of use and be ready for a re-coat within 2. Likewise, when the manufacturer says that one gallon can hide up to 400 square feet (extra wide carport area), we noticed that it is undoubtedly more than what you probably get.

Likewise, while a decent decision for interior projects, this item is not intended for use outdoors, in moldy areas, or to cover heavy stains or odors.

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Interior Ceiling Primer Stain

Zinser Bull’s Eye 1-2-3 Indoor or Outdoor Multi-Purpose Water-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer Color and Scent Inclusion is a water-based choice that can be used on a variety of indoor or outdoor surfaces including drywall, cement, wood, and more. Metal We appreciate that this item is low VOC, low odor and mold safe.

This item dries quickly: a little over half an hour to touch up, and ready to coat in as little as 60 minutes. Sanding as directed by the manufacturer is not essential. It works on medium stains and light to really hard camouflage fragrances. However, for heavy colors and scents or for painting raw wood, we recommend using an oil-based or shellac base that is specially formulated for that purpose.

Zinsser Cover Stain Interior Zinsser Cover Stain Interior

Pat Dempsey, our Master Expert, especially enjoys oil-based primers for exposed wood, inside or out. These primers can keep the numerous wood tannins from leaching through the paint and leaving unimaginable stains.

Zinsser covers stains inside or outside highly concealed oil-based walls and ceilings suitable for primary stain and odor barrier. We recommend this oil-based primer to cover particularly intense tests such as fire, smoke, nicotine, and water damage. It can additionally be used on surfaces that are difficult for water-based primer to adhere to, including wooden cupboards with backgrounds.

Just like any oil-based foundation, this item is not low-VOC or low-odor, so be sure to apply it in a well-ventilated area.

Final Verdict

Our top decision is the KILZ 2 universally easy inside/outside multi-purpose water-based wall and roof primer, a well-known minimal expense primary that’s really great for drywall and numerous different surfaces. This item is low-VOC, quick-drying, and mandatory for preparing everything from new drywall to general interior and exterior paint jobs, including dull paint and moderate stains and odors. A no-VOC item that covers stains and prepares drywall well for repainting, we offer PPG White Inside Universal Primer Zero VOC.

What To Look-for in a Drywall Primer?

Type

Water-based plastic primer readies your drywall surface for most paint occupations. Water-based primers will generally emit less odor than different types of primers and come in low and no-VOC plans. They also make for easier cleaning than the basic variety. Water-based primers are generally strong enough to cover dull colors and moderate stains and odors. In any case, to cover heavy colors and scents or bare wood, decide on a special base, for example, oil-based or shellac.

PVA primer is a type-of water based primer, which is uncommonly found for new drywall. This is often a particularly conservative decision that is not intended to prime different surfaces.

Oil-based primers cover heavy stains and odors that water-based primers cannot. It can also prevent tannins from seeping through the untreated wood and causing dull, unnatural colors. Oil-based primers will generally have more grounded scents and drainage than water-based primers.

Shellac primer is initially the most expensive choice, yet it’s the most ideal decision in the event that you really want to prevent particularly weighty colors and odors, or wood chips and decaying nails from getting through your foundation forever. Shellac will generally have a more grounded scent and vapor than a water-based primer. Similarly, denatured alcohol is required for cleaning.

Surface

The drywall you prepare has an unmistakable bearing on the primary you purchase. A few foundations are made for the inner surface only; Others work well only on open-air surfaces; And you can discover some items that are intended to successfully prime both.

Most interior primers, especially water-based items, are short on plans to cover mold, stains, and other unpleasant surfaces of the primer expected for exterior surfaces. So any interior primer you use on an open-air surface is probably not going to prepare the surface for paint that sticks well and perseveres in bad weather conditions.

And the conversation? You can use the role of left-over outer drywall on the inner surface. However, oil-based or shellac-based items, which are formulated to cover exterior stains and more unpleasant surfaces, are not needed on new interior drywall. Similarly, outdoor items typically have a more grounded smell and produce more VOCs than indoor primary ones. Thus, in any case, stay away from them in a more modest, firmly confined room.

VOCs

Assuming you feel a little light-headed or irritated after preparing or painting an enclosed area, you may be reacting to volatile natural compounds (VOCs). These synthetic compounds are released as primer and paint dry, as well as other household items such as some cleaners. Many individuals may experience migraines and various side effects when they present. Some VOCs are similarly believed human carcinogens. Some primers have low VOCs or no VOCs, and this assembly suggests two no-VOC items.

FAQ

Does every drywall surface need drywall primer?

To achieve a perfect, even drywall surface, whether new or existing, you must first prime it with a water-based primer. This is because drywall installations include a variety of materials, for example, drywall board, mesh, tape, drywall screws, and drywall mud. These materials have different tones, textures, and levels of permeability. primer gives your drywall a decent, reliable surface that helps your paint go on smoothly and stick well, without the appearance of different materials on the other side.

What is the best drywall primer for new drywall?

In the event that you paint new drywall without preparing it first, you’re likely to end up with patchy, lopsided areas. We recommend water-based primer as the best primer for new drywall. Some water-based primers, such as PVA primers, are made expressly for new drywall and not for different surfaces. Plastic primer can be used for new drywall, as well as other interior or open-air surfaces. Oil-based or shellac primers are formulated for heavy color and scent, or concentrated for wood, metal, or various surfaces. You shouldn’t use those specific roles on new drywall for interior drywall, even though it’s ideal for preparing exterior surfaces.

What is the best introduction to painted drywall so far?

All things considered, recently painted drywall is now as ready. This way, you can have the option of using paint that includes base work without applying another primer coat. Before you prepare the surface, we recommend covering a small portion of the drywall with an item like this. After it dries to a recoatable state, apply the paint to check that you get the look and consistency you need.

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