
KILZ® is a well-known brand of paints and primers that offers a range of products for various purposes, including stain blocking. When using KILZ® products, it is important to prepare the surface properly to ensure effective bonding and lasting protection. While KILZ® can be used as a primer before painting, it is not meant to be a finished paint as it lacks sufficient pigment for coverage. Therefore, it is recommended to use a topcoat or paint over KILZ® primer to achieve the desired finish. The choice of topcoat depends on the type of KILZ® primer used, with latex and oil-based options available. In general, latex paint can be used over latex or oil-based primers, while oil-based paint is recommended only for use over oil-based primers.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Kilz primer is a great stain blocker but is not meant to be a finished paint
Kilz primer is a great option for blocking stains, but it is not intended to be used as a finished paint. While Kilz primer can effectively cover stains and provide a good adhesive base for paint, it lacks the pigment necessary for proper coverage as a finished paint. Its primary purpose is to provide a suitable surface for paint to adhere to and enhance the paint's ability to hide imperfections.
Kilz primer is available in both oil-based and latex varieties, and the choice between the two can depend on various factors. For instance, the oil-based Kilz primer tends to yellow quickly and has a messy cleanup process. On the other hand, latex primers are easier to work with and are more widely available. However, latex primers may not be suitable for certain surfaces or projects.
When using Kilz primer, it is essential to follow the recommended preparation steps for the specific surface being painted. All surfaces must be clean and free of grease and oil before applying Kilz primer. Proper surface preparation ensures that the primer can properly bond to the surface and provide lasting protection. Additionally, an initial coat of Kilz primer can be applied to test for stain bleed-through, and if necessary, a second coat can be applied for added protection.
While Kilz primer is effective at blocking stains, it may not be sufficient for heavy stains. In such cases, it is recommended to use oil-based primers like Kilz Original or Kilz Original Exterior or water-based primers like Kilz Restoration and Kilz Premium. These primers are specifically designed to block heavy stains and provide a more durable solution.
In summary, Kilz primer is an excellent choice for stain blocking and surface preparation, but it should not be relied upon as a finished paint. Its lack of pigment and tendency to discolour over time make it unsuitable for long-term use as a final coat. Instead, it is best paired with a suitable paint that can provide the desired coverage and aesthetic appeal. By following the proper application techniques and choosing the right paint system, you can achieve a high-quality and long-lasting finish.
Simple Steps to Paint a Robin
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kilz makes both latex and oil-based primers
Kilz is a popular paint and primer brand, well-known for its stain-blocking abilities. It is often used to cover stains, such as nicotine stains, before applying a topcoat of paint. Kilz makes both latex and oil-based primers, and it is important to choose the right type of primer and paint for your project.
When using Kilz primer, it is important to follow the general preparation steps recommended by the manufacturer. All surfaces must be clean and free of dust, grease, and oil before applying Kilz. For surfaces with peeling paint or previous paint, the loose paint must be scraped off, and the surface must be sanded smooth to ensure proper adhesion of the Kilz primer.
If you are using Kilz for stain blocking, it is recommended to apply an initial coat and a topcoat to a small area to check for stain bleed-through. If bleed-through occurs, a second coat of primer should be applied. The wet film thickness of the primer is important, as it ensures a sufficiently thick coat for effective stain blocking and protection.
Regarding the compatibility of paints with Kilz primers, it is generally recommended to use latex paint over latex primer and oil paint over oil primer. However, some users have reported successful results using latex paint over oil-based Kilz primer. The Kilz website states that latex and oil-based paints can be used over their oil-based primers. Nonetheless, for the best and most consistent results, it is advisable to use oil paint with oil primer or latex paint with latex primer.
It is worth noting that Kilz primers may not provide complete stain coverage, especially for heavy stains. In such cases, it is recommended to use oil-based primers like Kilz Original or Kilz Original Exterior, or water-based primers like Kilz Restoration and Kilz Premium. Additionally, Kilz primers may not be suitable as a finish coat, as they lack sufficient pigment for proper coverage and may not provide a desirable finish due to their shellac base, which can dry with a gloss.
Attaching Paint Spouts: 5-Gallon Pouring Made Easy
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kilz lacks pigment and is prone to drying with some gloss
KILZ® manufactures a range of paints and primers for various purposes. Their products are well-known for their stain-blocking abilities. However, Kilz primer lacks the pigment necessary for coverage as a finish coat. Its primary function is to act as a base coat so that paint will adhere properly.
Kilz primers are available in both oil-based and water-based (latex) formulations. The oil-based version dries with a yellow tinge and is prone to discolouration over time. It is also messy to clean up. The water-based version is easier to work with and can be used under or over water-based or oil-based paints.
When using Kilz for stain-blocking, it is advisable to apply an initial coat and a topcoat to a small area to check for bleed-through. If bleeding occurs, a second coat of primer should be applied. The wet film thickness is important to ensure the coat is sufficiently thick for lasting protection.
While Kilz is an effective primer, it is not intended to be used as a finish coat. It is important to apply a separate coat of paint over Kilz primer for a visually appealing result.
Quick Guide: Adding Font Shadow in MS Paint
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kilz is ideal for blocking light or medium stains
KILZ® is a well-known brand of paints and primers that are particularly popular for their stain-blocking abilities. The KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer is formulated to block light or medium stains, including minor water stains, rust, grease, ink, pencil, and felt marker stains.
When using KILZ for stain blocking, it is ideal to apply an initial coat and a topcoat to a small area to check for any bleed-through of the stain. If there is any bleed-through, a second coat of primer should be applied. The wet film thickness is important to ensure that the coat of KILZ is sufficiently thick enough to provide lasting protection.
While KILZ is effective at blocking stains, it is important to note that it may not completely hide everything underneath. Its primary job is to provide a good adhesive base for the paint to stick properly. The paint is what will cover any stains or imperfections on the surface.
Additionally, KILZ primers are available in both oil-based and latex varieties. When choosing a paint to use over KILZ primer, it is important to consider the type of primer used. The general rule of thumb is that both latex and oil paint can be used over oil-based primer, but only latex paint should be used over latex primer.
In summary, KILZ is ideal for blocking light or medium stains, and following the recommended application techniques and choosing the appropriate paint to use over the primer will ensure the best results.
Prepare Your Painted Deck for a Fresh Coat
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kilz is not suitable for heavy stains
Kilz primers are great stain blockers, but they are not meant to be used as a finish paint. Kilz primers do not have enough pigment to cover stains properly and are not suitable for heavy stains. While Kilz primers can be used to cover minor stains, they are not effective at covering bleeding stains. For example, a user on Reddit reported that they had to apply five coats of Kilz primer to their kitchen ceiling to prevent yellow stains from showing through. Another user on Reddit reported that four coats of Kilz primer were insufficient to cover dark stains on their living room ceiling.
Kilz primers are effective at blocking stains such as nicotine, water damage, rust, smoke, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, and pet stains. However, it is important to note that the type of primer used can affect its effectiveness. For example, latex primers are not suitable for covering water stains, as the stains will bleed through. In contrast, oil-based primers are more effective at blocking stains but are messier and more difficult to clean up.
When using a Kilz primer to block stains, it is essential to follow the recommended preparation steps. All surfaces must be clean and free of dust, chalk, oil, grease, wax, polish, mold, mildew, loose peeling paint, rust, and other foreign substances. After priming, it is necessary to test for stain bleed-through by applying a topcoat to a small section. If the stain bleeds through, a second coat of primer should be applied, and the testing process repeated. If bleeding continues, a longer dry time is needed before topcoating.
While Kilz primers are effective at blocking stains, they are not suitable for heavy or bleeding stains. In such cases, it may be necessary to use a different primer or sealing product, such as Zinsser BIN, which is a shellac-based sealer that can effectively block nicotine stains. Additionally, when using Kilz primers, it is crucial to follow the recommended preparation and application steps to ensure optimal performance.
Airbrushing Wheels: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kilz is primarily a primer and stain blocker. It is not meant to be a finished paint. However, you can use Kilz paint or primer for stain blocking.
Yes, Kilz makes both latex and oil-based primers. It is recommended to use a topcoat of paint over the primer for the best results.
Yes, you can use latex paint over Kilz primer. Both latex and oil-based paints can be used over Kilz oil-based primers. However, only latex paint can be used over latex primers.
Yes, Kilz primers are known for their stain-blocking abilities. It is recommended to apply an initial coat and a topcoat to a small area to check for stain bleed-through. If bleeding occurs, a second coat of primer should be applied.
Yes, Kilz primer can be used over previously painted surfaces. However, ensure that any loose paint is scraped off and the surface is sanded smooth before applying the Kilz primer.











































