Software
Houzz Logo Print
firewoman

Help with PRIMER and paint

9 years ago

Need help... Old House - I'm painting over interior Red Paint - I used KILZ Latex Primer. As I moved to the next wall and turned around, the primer was dripping off the walls. I continued and kept going back and smoothing it out figuring I would do a second coat of KILZ. On the second coat, it is still not sticking properly. I researched why and found the paint is probably Oil based and I used a Latex primer.

My question is - if I now get an Oil based primer, can I put that over the Latex primer, and then use Latex paint over that.

The second coat which you can see in the pic does cover better, but it was running a little and I had to go back and smooth it as well. (The edges in the pic). I just don't know if when I put the paint on, if that will do the same. So I am not sure if I continue and do a second coat of latex primer or buy oil and start over with that. Will oil primer stick over the now coat of latex?



Comments (12)

  • 9 years ago

    Latex primer over oil paint is okay, provided the surface is clean. Why do you say it is still not sticking properly? Do the fingernail test for adhesion. If ok, then proceed with 2 coat of wall paint.

    Zinsser makes great products, generally better than Kilz. Coverstain or Bullseye 123 should work fine for your application.

    It sounds like your Kilz was too watery. I have not used any Kilz in decades. The problem with oil primer is it will stink up the place for a few days, but yes oil primer with latex topcoat is fine. I'd go with Bullseye 123.



  • 9 years ago

    Thanks Carlos, I will try the Bullseye. If you look at the second picture you can see that it literally drips off the walls.

  • 9 years ago

    Looks like either primer wasnt stirred properly, or that the can had been frozen at some point in its life. I have used a lot of Kilz latex, and it has never been that thin or watery, like what I see in your photo.

  • 9 years ago

    The fingernail test won't work until the product has cured...about a week. You don't have to wait a week to recoat...that's just how long the process takes. Don't be surprised if it scratches the next day.

    I've had primer do that. Recently. Probably grease or dirt or a shiney spot. It should be OK though.

    I like the Bullseye 123.

  • 9 years ago

    The red paint looked to me to be eggshell. I washed it with TSP and I sanded it before priming. It definitely wasn't an issue with the can not being stirred. I had 2 new cans that they shook and I stirred, and I used the first can and a half to prime other rooms rooms and had no issues at all. (They were not the red paint)

    I ended up getting the Bullseye 123 which did the same thing. Very weird! At any rate, I finished the room and just kept going back and lightly rolling where it ran. I'm going to let it dry a couple of days before I put the paint on it. I will follow up and let you all know how it goes. Thanks all for the help.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Bullseye 123 should not be used over TSP washings unless the TSP is flood rinsed, which is impossible to achieve indoors. Any TSP residue will cause paint to fail.

    Read Surface Preparation on label.

    Surface Preparation

  • 9 years ago

    Hmmmm-

    I'm assuming you sanded AFTER washing?? The TSP needs to be rinsed well, 2 or 3 times, BEFORE it dries. Probably only a small risk of this....but it can happen.

    Could there be any issue of any thin/not completely removed wallpaper-glue on that Red?? Is this occurring ONLY on that Red wall?

    Faron

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Glue? Did I read wall paper GLUE???

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You do know that primer does not hide with complete opacity like a final finish paint film, right? Primer is going to look splotchy and uneven, that part of what you're seeing is normal. Under normal circumstances, there is no reason to do more than one coat of primer. DIYers will often mistakenly think they need two coats of primer because the hide is so splotchy.

    Using TSP for interior prep is a chronic problem. I really don't know who is advising homeowners to use this stuff. The amount of rinsing necessary is ridiculous and it pretty much says that right on the box.

    Wiping down the walls with just warm water is enough. If there really is dirt and grime, washing with a weak solution of a gallon of warm water with a few drops of Dawn will usually get the job done - then rinse with clear water.

    And if there is wallpaper glue/paste residue the only thing that that will block it is GARDZ.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Not the only thing(Gardz) because oil based primer(Cover stain) will work but certainly easier to work with.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Washing with warm water may be enough for many walls, however a product like Dirtex actually prepares a wall for repainting and no rinse required.

    So, if you're going to go through the motions, why not achieve something?

    And if you use STIX as a primer (when required), there is no blotchy appearance. STIX completely blocks out the previous colors.

Sponsored
CHC & Family Developments
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars6 Reviews
Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio