Primers create a strong bond on your wooden surface, but not all are made the same. If you apply the wrong formula, you risk exposing your furniture to premature damage or even rot and mold!
Thus, our woodworkers tested and reviewed the best oil-based primers in the market, to help you decide which one you’ll need for your project.
Reviews of the Top Oil-Based Primers
1. Zinsser 03504 Cover Stain
The Zinsser 03504 Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer adheres perfectly over wood surfaces and has stain blocking formula that hides smoke stains. This product’s formula also doubles as an exterior oil-based primer and dries quicker than other brands.
What we liked most about this stain-blocking primer is how thrifty it was to use, as one gallon of it, can cover up to 300 square feet of wood surface too.
It’s one of the best primers for bare wood, but we recommend that you prep the area especially if it calls for repairing a previously painted surface.
What We Like
- Hides stain efficiently
- Quick drying
- Versatile for indoor and outdoor uses
- Best for beginners
What We Don't Like
- Has an odor when applied at first
- Can cause allergies to sensitive users
2. KILZ Original Interior Oil-Based Primer
For interior priming projects, our top pick is the KILZ Original Interior Oil-Based Primer. This brand gets better over the years and has been a standard-bearer of doing a fantastic job in covering stains, especially on interior surfaces.
It does a great job of patching up holes and mimics a final coat of paint that looks exactly like the former undamaged wall. Not only is the KILZ versatile with different kinds of wall surfaces, but it’s also the formula is unique enough to block pungent smells from seeping into the walls.
While it dries in a little less than an hour, we still suggest letting it completely dry for a day before applying another coat.
What We Like
- Dries in thirty minutes
- Solid color consistency
- Blocks stains
- One of the best oil-based primers for indoors
What We Don't Like
- Strong fumes and odor upon initial application
- Sticky and difficult to clean off
3. Zinsser by Rust-Oleum 3609 Oil-Base Spray Primer
If you’re working on objects of irregular shape or those that have a lot of cracks, and crannies, then this Rust-Oleum primer here is your perfect choice.
It makes application easier, and with its impressive spray mechanism. This version of the Rust-oleum product is best for beginners who are working their way around applying primer on complex-shaped materials.
However, it also has common downsides that you should consider before purchasing. Like all other spray primers, the Zinsser by Rust-Oleum 3609 Primer has a limited quantity and needs to be replaced now and then. Also, be careful of over-spraying to a certain area, and we advise only using this primer on small-scale projects.
What We Like
- Convenient usage
- Powerful spray mechanism
What We Don't Like
- Overspraying
- Few quantities
4. KILZ Adhesion Primer
If you’re looking for the best oil-based primer that has excellent adhesion properties to porous and tough surfaces, the KILZ Adhesion Primer is an option that you should consider.
It has a high adhesion quality that can bond tough materials like vinyl, formica, or glass. We used it on an exterior surface and it displayed an even more secure bond. It has a different formula but isn’t compromised in terms of quality.
We also tested the KILZ Adhesion as a primer sealer, and it worked both in creating slick surfaces, and smooth topcoats. You can apply this through brush, spray, or whichever you fund more convenient.
What We Like
- Best used on difficult surfaces
- Easy to use
- Great clean-up
What We Don't Like
- Requires an additional coat for coverage
- Expensive than the other options
5. Diamond Brite Paint 1 Gallon Industrial Oil Base Enamel Primer in Gray 32900
Another exterior oil-based primer that displayed impressive performance based on our testing is the Diamond Brite 32900 Oil Base Enamel Paint Primer. It provides a durable enamel mimicking glossy surface after the finish.
Self-priming paints tend to adhere less on metal surfaces, but since this is best used in the industrial setting, you’ll be surprised with how bonded the primer will look on your paint project. It’s also a trusted base for exterior paint, due to its fast-drying property.
This product is more expensive than the others on our list. But its unique features compensate for the price.
What We Like
- Easy to recoat
- Creates glossy surfaces
- Dries quickly and hard
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Requires multiple coating
6. Zinsser 272479 Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Spray Primer
Not all priming needs require shine, especially when working on matte-painted surfaces. This is where this Zinsser 272479 Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Paint Primer comes in handy.
This spray is made up of a coat oil-based formula that has excellent stain-blocking resistance. It does a great job both when used on interior and exterior surfaces. It blocks stains even those scents as harsh as nicotine, and pungent materials.
And with a few coats, the quality of paint and sealing it provides, whether on a painted metal or painted wood is rather commendable. You won’t have to worry about peeling paint as this primer works both as an oil or latex topcoat.
What We Like
- Dries as fast as thirty minutes
- Multi-purpose primer
- Blocks stains efficiently
What We Don't Like
- Requires careful application
- Doesn’t have shine
7. Kilz Odorless Oil-Based Primer/Sealer
Most oil-based primers tend to work best with properly prepared surfaces free of rust, and peeling paints and this one is no exception. The Kilz Odorless Oil-Based Primer/Sealer blocks stains easily and creates a durable protective coating on interior surfaces.
It’s white pigmented and has a high hiding formula that blocks severe stains such as lipstick marks, pens, and even grease and oil stains.
For better bonding, we suggest letting the formula cure for at least an hour before applying the second coat. Despite its quick drying time, you can expect more adhesion with this tip.
What We Like
- Low odor
- Has extensive sealing properties
- Has a high-hiding formula
What We Don't Like
- Hardly available
- Expensive
Oil-Based Primers: Buyer’s Guide
Surfaces
When choosing an oil-based primer, opt for brands that have a high-hiding formula and are compatible with different surfaces. There are oil-based primers that are only suitable for wood, and or metals, and there are also brands that are multi-surfaced.
Application
Depending on the performance of the primer, you’ll have to apply one or more coats, as its coverage will also vary on the application method and area of application.
Working on inside projects and interior surfaces requires interior primers, but if you are painting on an external setting, then opt for a primer that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Price
Applying oil-based primer on a previously painted drywall can be a little costly, but some primers come at an affordable price for your preference.
Pick one that suits your wall type and budget. The best trick is to apply it on properly prepared surfaces to avoid wasting oil paints.
Drying Time
One vital aspect when choosing an oil-based primer is the drying time. Depending on your timeline of finishing the project, choose a brand that has a drying time you can work your way around with.
How Long Do You Wait for Oil-Based Primers to Dry?
Generally, some brands promise 30 minutes of drying time. While this is partially true, letting the primer dry for at least 24 to 48 hours is still more advisable. This way, you can ensure a better bond between the primer and the wall.
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Coverage
Modern primers now have solved the common dilemma with paints when used to cover up stains. More often than not, paint looks cheap when used as a cover-up on different materials.
There’s also a tendency for the stains to still show through since it looks different than the other colors and textures on the wall. Oil-based primers do an effortless job of covering up the stains from their base material itself.
However, as much as primer can set a good coverage, it isn’t meant to repair other damages such as structural ones.
Therefore, always ensure that you fix all other problems before starting your paint job. Using primer to cover up wet drywall or furniture pieces, will only cause extreme damage to your project.
Smell
Before starting any paint job, always consider the smell both of the paint, and the primers that will be used. Some primers can lock the smells that have seeped into your walls.
Smell-fighting primers are suitable for homes that house pets or smokers, as they can absorb and accumulate such smell.
Different primers vary in smell, so you might want to check the primer’s label if you’re sensitive to strong fumes, or hesitant to on a smelly task.
Products with low-smell formulations are higher in cost, but it’s the best option to make application easier and more convenient on your end.
It’s more possible to work with smelly primers on exterior surfaces, but if you’re painting inside, always wear protective masks.
Stain Blocker
Oil-based primers with stain-blocking properties are getting more traction now, as it makes the job of repainting, or covering up more efficient.
Not only do oil-based primers with stain-blocking properties hide watermarks or imperfections, but it also seals the area preventing future stains from showing.
Prevention from Rust
For rust-prone areas or walls, choose an oil-based primer that has a rust protection formula. It’s also important to consider rust-resistant oil-based primers as exterior primers, and when priming metal.
Paint Workability
Even the best primers differ in texture and formula, so the rule of thumb is to choose one which will best complement your surface area and patience on application.
It will be difficult to apply on a porous surface if you have a very thick oil primer, so it’s better to use a spray primer like that of the Rust-Oleum.