Help!! Need advice on primer

13 years ago

I have read thousands of posts, visited numerous "good" paint stores and have gotten so many different recommendations that my head is swimming. If anyone could give me a recommendation and/or why NOT to go with a particular product I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm painting my cabinets (picture included). They are wood (not sure what kind) and have vertical grooves down the front of them. I am sanding and filling in the grooves with bondo (I know many will have different opinions about that too but that's the route I've taken and have already started it.)

So, given that I have wood (about 25 years old) and bondo - what it the best primer and paint to used for my cabinets. I will be painting them a white/light color. Many have said I need to use an oil-based primer. I will do so if necessary, but would love to avoid the clean up required with oil. But, in the end, I want to do what is best and will last longest.

Primers that have been recommended:
Sherwin Williams Multi-purpose oil based primer
Sherwin Williams premium wall and wood primer (latex)
Zinsser BIN primer/sealer
Zinsser Bulls Eye primer/sealer (oil & latex)
Zinsser Cover Stain primer
Kilz

Paints that have been recommended:
Sherwin Williams Pro Classic
Benjamin Moore Advance
Benjamin Moore Aura
Benjamin Moore Impervo

Also some have said use TSP to clean the cabinets, others have said don't use it, that it interacts with some paints and causes problems.

HELP!! What to do!

Featured Answer

PRO

Frank's Home Maintenance and General Contracting

13 years ago

Very good question. First, you have to get the cabinets clean. That what the tsp is for it will help get the grease film off of the cabinet. Second, you must de-gloss the cabinets (remove the shine) in order for the paint to stick.
That is done two ways, sand or use a de-gloss product. Neither should mess with paint performance as long as you give plenty of dry time before applying paint.
We use sherwin williams paint. Go into any store and they will be more than happy to walk you through the process and advise you on paint choices. (we use oil)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

elcieg
13 years ago
Muralo
User
13 years ago
What?

You don't plan to sand?
Related Professionals
Portsmouth Interior Designers & Decorators · Abilene Interior Designers & Decorators · Canton Interior Designers & Decorators · Sioux Falls Interior Designers & Decorators · Watertown Interior Designers & Decorators · Casper Interior Designers & Decorators · Sarnia Interior Designers & Decorators · Florence Architects & Building Designers · Watertown Architects & Building Designers · Fresno Architects & Building Designers · Modesto Architects & Building Designers · Guymon Architects & Building Designers · Lansing Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huron Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Watertown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
TSP, rinse, dry, sand, tack off, prime with KILZ or other (2 coats,) paint (2 coats.) Have you checked out rustoleumtransformations.com? Might be a shortcut for you.
PRO
Linda
13 years ago
I have had good luck with Breakthrough paint from Pittsburg. It sprays well, dries to a hard finish but still flexible enough that won't crack out on cabinet doors like an oil might. It has great adhesion and can be used to paint ceramic tile, and metal - great paint for doors and railings.

With that paint, you need to use tSP to remove all grease but you don't need to sand unless it is a glossy finish - usually TSP will knock down the existing finish enough that you can paint without sanding or priming. Apply the first coat very light, especially if you're spraying. Then, you can recoat in an hour or two, let dry and rehang cabinet doors the same day.
Gina Richards
13 years ago
Your work ethic is admirable. Have no suggestions, but would love to see your finished project. Good luck.
PRO
North Coast Construction, LLC
13 years ago
Most pro painters will tell you that the prep work (i.e. cleaning, deglossing, sanding) matters way more than the paint product. Having said that, we use Benjamin Moore products. For wood use the Enamel Underbody for the primer, then Impervo for the top coat. Impervo is available in latex and oil. But again, prep and application technique matter more than the paint. If a paint install fails, odds are, it wasn't the paint's fault.
carolannr
13 years ago
The Bondo is what will make a difference in your technique. The tsp will remove any surface oils before you use the Bondo. Rinsed and dry throrougly - at least 24 hours in most areas. Sand the surfaces fully, wipe with a thinner soaked cloth to remove all sanding debris.Doing this will help to Bondo stick better. Since you plan to Bondo just those cracks in the doors, be sure you do it with a sharp, new putty knife to keep it as even as possible. Bondo can form a nice flat surface but always should be fully sanded smooth. Know that if you plan to apply semi-gloss or gloss final finish, everything will show. Then apply either the Zins or SW oil base primer, both are quality products.
Because you are going for a light color, it may be necessary to use more than one coat of primer to cover that old wood. Then the final coating finish will be a snap. Do remember, the prep is what makes the final finish. All the work that it takes will show in the finished product. Gpod luck and be sure to post the finshed product because you will definitly deserve the praise!
PRO
Ruth Ann Chaplik-Secreto
13 years ago
If you use bond , you may want to use car primer &paint ... Call a bike repaint shop... They could whip this up in no time !
janowins
13 years ago
We renovated a filthy, tobacco stained, greasy, revolting house and used bleach in a bucket of water for cleaning, followed by Zinsser. I can't recommend it highly enough. It seemed to seal all stains (as well as woodwork that had been 'stained' rather than painted) and was easy to apply. You won't be sorry.