Top 8 Best Primers To Cover Drywall Imperfections

Are you planning to redesign your house? Well, you need to purchase the best drywall primer. This product could give the final appearance you desire. A lot of brands, sizes, and types of primers are available in the market. Considering that, choosing the right one is quite hard.

Let’s help you! Here are the best primers to cover drywall imperfections.

1. Rust-Oleum Corporation Available Rust-Oleum 02304 Problem Surface Sealer – The Best Product

I love using this drywall primer when doing my DIY priming. Also, a lot of my friends use this product for professional work. This product works on different wall surfaces. If you are looking for a drywall primer that can cover a wide surface, do not look any further. I recommend this Rust-Oleum primer.

At first, I had doubts about using this product. After doing my personal research, I found out that this Rust-Oleum primer is one of the best primers in the market today. I tried using it on metals, Formica, and vinyl. Guess what? It really does its job, and it adheres to the surface easily.

You can also use this primer for back splashing your tile floors. This primer helps the tile to have a total grip on the floor. The manufacturers sell this product pre-mixed, which I love. That means I can save more energy and time. Another thing I love about it is that it does not release an unpleasant smell and is water-based.

Pros

• Low odor
• Protects new drywall
• Fast drying
• Water-based formula and dries fast and clear
• Gets rid of bubbles and help to fix torn paper
• Easy to apply
• Works in different wall surface
• It is pre-mixed, which makes it perfect for DIY projects
• Creates a matte finish
• It helps for preparing your damaged wall in no time

Cons

• No cons found

Check Price on Amazon

2. Zinsser 2301 Problem Surface Sealer – The Second Best Product

I use this product for redesigning my room. My room features several layers of old wallpaper, which I want to get rid of. I could remove the first few layers using no special tools.

But removing the last layer is quite hard because it was already fused to my wall surface. That’s why I started searching for the best drywall primer. The internet gave me loads of lists of the best drywall primers. I read reviews about each of them.

After several times of reading the reviews, I found this Zinsser 2301 Problem Surface Cleaner. According to the reviews, this primer is perfect for woodworks. It has a bluish or whitish tint. The good thing about it is that it dries quickly and gives a matte finish.

I use a roller when applying this product to my wall. The roller helps me to cover my entire wall pretty fast.

Considering that this primer offers great adhesion, the manufacturers sell it at an affordable rate. It fits even in the tiniest holes on your wall. Its blueish color gives you a more attractive wall, even without adding your desired paint.

Another good thing I love about it is that it is receptive to most types of oil paints. If you use latex paint, you can find that this primer blends evenly and makes your work easier.

Aside from woods, this primer is perfect to use on glass, concrete, metal surface, tiles, etc. This product can resist rust, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Pros

• This is perfect to use on different surfaces
• It gives a bright and matte finish
• It is resistant to dust, rust, and stains
• Waterproof, which means it can last long
• Easy to apply
• It fits even in the tiniest holes on your wall

Cons

• It is not applicable to use on delicate surfaces
• Its blueish finish restricts you from achieving the paint hues you desire

Check Price on Amazon

3. KILZ 2 Multi-Surface Stain Blocking Interior/Exterior Latex Primer/Sealer – The Best Product With Limited Budget

If you are on a tight budget like me, I highly recommend you try KILZ 2 Multi-Surface Stain Blocking Primer. As its name suggests, this product is perfect for covering your exterior and interior walls. This primer is perfect for both DIY and professional projects.

The good thing about it is that it offers a single coat priming coverage. This means a single coat is enough to cover up the damages on your wall. This would save you more time and money.

It has a thick consistency, which improved its single-coat coverage. This is because it sticks easily a few seconds after you apply it. Compared to other primers out there, this product can hide even the most damaged part of your wall in just one glide.

I was amazed by how easy it is to wipe off the unwanted surfaces and spillage and excess of the primer on the floor. Considering its lasting drying techniques, I can clean and fix any errors easily before it dries.

You can get a product that is available in different color options, even on a tight budget. In fact, most professionals are using this product to coat the walls evenly and uniformly. This product gives you less stress when applying. Get this primer at a very low cost!

Pros

• It is perfect for both internal and external use
• It works as a primer and a sealer
• It comes with additional acrylic and latex in its mixture
• Easy to apply
• It comes in different colors
• It dries easily
• It covers stains in just a single coat

Cons

• It attracts dust while applying the paint

Check Price on Amazon

4. KILZ Premium High-Hide Stain Blocking Interior/Exterior Latex Primer/Sealer – The Highest Quality Product with High Price

The KILZ Premium High-Hide Stain Blocking Interior/Exterior Latex Primer/Sealer is the product for my ‘Upgrade Pick’. A single gallon of this product is enough to cover several rooms. It also works on different surfaces. This would save you a lot of money on a single purchase.

I love its ability to seal and excellent adhesion. It works on different wall surfaces. You can use it together with a paint coat of your desired color. Considering its powerful adhesion, it would be impossible for you to notice breakage for some years after painting and priming.

I love how versatile this product is. This means you can use it on bricks, metal, tiles, and more.

This product is perfect to use even on oil-based paints. This is because of its latex primer feature. Aside from that, it has also a stain blocker feature. This means that it can cover up different stains easily.

It also gives you a fine finish, enabling you to create a fine coat painting. I recommend this to my friends. They use it on Masonry, plaster, and glossy surfaces and it worked! That’s why this product is perfect for different wall types. I use spraying cans, a brush, and a roller to coat my walls with this primer.

Pros

• Priming the surface with this product allows the paint to fuse hard and fast
• It covers up mild stains
• It prevents the buildup of a mildew
• It offers firmer adhesive abilities than the other primers in the market

Cons

• Wiping off the excess primer on the floor is quite hard to clean

Check Price on Amazon

5. KILZ Restoration Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Interior Latex Primer/Sealer – The Best Primer for Most Surfaces

Another product from KILZ is its restoration Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Interior Latex Primer/Sealer. Unlike the other products, this one is perfect for different surfaces. It is ideal to use on sandy surfaces, bricks, marble, shiny surfaces, and more.

KILZ is popular because of its stain-blocking feature. This feature works as a repellent to any type of wall stain. Not only that, but this product also follows a latex acrylic formula and alkali-resistant. This makes sure a robust and ever-present bonding between the paint and wall.

The product does not come in a pre-mixed gallon. This allows you to add the right amount of water to make its consistency ideal to the surface. I also love that this primer works for both exterior and interior areas.

It can withstand even the most extreme weather. It can last for a long time, giving your wall a perfect and clear paint finish.

Pros

• It is good for both exterior and interior priming uses
• You can add water to get the right mixture
• It has a transparent finish
• Versatile, which means you can use it on different surfaces

Cons

• You need to mix it yourself, which might take some time
• Its latex acrylic feature alters the smoothness of the paint

Check Price on Amazon

6. The Rust-Oleum Corporation 01501 Drywall Primer – The Best Primer for Smooth Walls

Another product from Rust-Oleum that works as a primer and a sealer. This means it is perfect to use for drywall applications. Aside from wall priming, this product also works to seal tape joints. Interestingly, you can sand the wall after it gets dry.

Another thing I love about this product is that it dries fast. You can create a permanent seal on your wall within an hour. In connection to that, you can prime and paint the wall fast. If you are working in a medium-sized room, you can finish the entire job in one day.

If you want to make your rough-textured walls smoother, then you should not look further than this product. It can cover small to large errors. It is also great for hiding wall imperfections, including stains and holes.

Pros

• Fast drying
• Acts as a sealer and a primer
• It helps to create smooth walls
• Covers small to large wall imperfections
• Seals seams and joints

Cons

• It has a thick consistency
• It is quite expensive

Check Price on Amazon

7. Dap 10102 Wallboard Joint Compound – The Best Primer for Bare Wall Applications

If you are like me who wants to finish a task fast, then this drywall primer is perfect for you. The Dap 10102 Wallboard Joint Compound is one of the best primers for bare wall applications. It has a paste-like consistency. This means that its thick consistency works like mud when covering the wall stains and holes.

Aside from bare wall applications, I also recommend this for layering textured walls. Like the sixth product, this one also gives the wall a smoother finish. Its thick consistency dries fast. After drying the paste, you can smoothen it with sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish.

This is available in a pre-mixed gallon. So, you don’t have to mix it yourself. Right after buying this product, you can now direct yourself to the priming process.

Pros

• Easy to apply
• Dries fast
• Smoothen the textured wall surface
• Comes in a pre-mixed gallon

Cons

• It is a bit pricey

Check Price on Amazon

8. Rust-Oleum 2004 Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 White Water-Based Primer Sealer – The Best Primer for Smooth Wall Applications

This primer is a water-based product. I recommend this for smooth wall uses. This is one of the fantastic primers from Rust-Oleum. It helps you to do things fast and convenient. You can prime the wall with a roller to make the entire process easy.

Even though this does not smooth out surfaces, I still love that it is easy to clean. Another thing I am not amazed at this product is that it does not fill small holes. But this primer is perfect to use on most types of wall surfaces.
Take note that this primer emits strong fumes. That’s why I recommend you to use ventilation to ensure your safety.

Pros

• Adheres perfectly to different wall surfaces
• Easy to clean
• Easy to use

Cons

• It does not fill holes
• Emits potent fumes

Check Price on Amazon

What are the Benefits of Using Drywall Primer?

You should use a drywall primer to improve the texture of your wall surface. It is especially important if you don’t want to leave your wall bare. A drywall primer prevents the crumbling of paint. This product is available in the market in different brands, types, and uses.

Some think that a primer is a useless coat which is wrong. Priming your wall before painting it with a new color is a must. The following are some benefits of using drywall primer:

• It improves the texture of your wall surface. This means that you only need a few coats of paint.
• It helps you to bring back the wall to its neutral color. This allows you to paint your wall with good looking color.
• It helps in covering out odors and stains
• It offers enough adhesive for the paint to stick to it.
• It is an excellent product for covering imperfections, including the repaired or patched parts of the wall
• It covers up the pores in the wood, drywall, or any unpainted surfaces.

Considering those benefits, a drywall primer could actually help you save both money and time. Take note that primer is available at a more inexpensive rate than paint. It gives you a clearer wall surface to coat with paint.

With a primer, you can cover up the wall imperfections without spending a lot. After completing the priming process, you only need a few paint coats to complete your wall.

Read more:

• What is the Best Lightweight Step Ladder and What You Should Lookout?
• How to Choose Ladders for Stairs Painting?

When to Use a Drywall Primer?

You should use a primer before painting any type of wall surfaces. You can use a drywall primer to cover visible stains and uneven appearance on your wall. Some also use it on some parts of their walls with dark-colored paint.

With interior walls, you can use a primer if you want to remodel or repair your wall. You can do this no matter what type of wall you have. Most primers above are good to use for woodwork, plaster, drywall, and many more. The major work of a primer is to make sure that the surface is sealed. This allows the paint to dry and adheres uniformly and smoothly.

In terms of exterior uses, priming the exterior walls are always necessary. This is because these areas are often susceptible to extreme weather, including UV rays and moisture. Too much exposure to these conditions can deteriorate the wall surface. When this happens, paint adhesion is quite hard to perform.

Professional contractors recommend primers in most painting situations. You can use it on different surfaces, including metal, masonry, and wood. Aside from giving you the best adhesion, primers can give you more benefits than that. It deals with different surface problems, including tannin staining on redwoods and cedar. Here, considering the type of surface you will paint is a must.

How to Prime a Wall?

If you are planning to paint your wall, prime it first. Priming gives you a smoother and imperfection-free wall surface. The best primer could make your painting job way easier and more enjoyable. Some people think that wall priming requires an intricate step, but it wasn’t. In most cases, you may use a roller to perform the priming process. It will help you prime the walls easily and conveniently.

Here are some steps to follow when priming a wall:

• Use a painter’s tip to prevent some areas from the primer. You should also cover your floor with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. This will prevent the excess primer from spilling on your floor.
• Using a patching compound, fill in the holes and the gaps in the wall. Follow the right steps of using a patching compound. Use medium-grit sandpaper to smoothen the patched holes. Vacuum it to remove excess dust.
• Use a paintbrush to prime the corners and edges of the wall. Dip the roller to the primer and start coating your wall.
• You can dampen your roller with a paint thinner or water. Run the roller cover through the moistening agent to remove the excess.
• Thoroughly paint your wall surface with the primer. Fill each hole or gap in the wall. If you are using a roller, run it in a W-shape.
• Paint the wall using zigzag shapes until the entire surface is filled. Wait for several minutes until the primer dries completely. If you see discoloration or stains, apply a second coat of primer.

As mentioned, priming the wall is a must before painting it. Follow the steps mentioned above to prime your wall properly.

Conclusion

The overall winner for the best drywall primer is the Rust-Oleum Corporation Available Rust-Oleum 02304 Problem Surface Sealer. Compared to the other products listed above, this one stands out. It uses a water-based formula, which makes it faster to dry. Unlike the four mentioned products, this one does not emit foul odors.

Aside from that, it is also pre-mixed. This means you can directly perform the priming process right after buying it. You can apply it easily. Also, it protects your new drywall from odors, stains, and other discoloration. Even though it is quite pricey, it is worth your money. This product works on different surfaces, which makes it perfect for both DIY and professional uses.