Have you been giving your kitchen the side-eye because it can use a little love? If it’s time for a makeover, you’ll need to use primer before giving your cabinets a fresh coat of paint. Not all products are created equal, though, so it’s key to know the best primers for kitchen cabinets.
The painting process typically goes as follows:
- Prep
- Primer
- Paint
While it may be tempting to pick up any regular paint you find online or in the store, we recommend a good quality paint that will be suitable for the kitchen. The paint you choose must give you the perfect result and last a long time.
Here are the best primers for kitchen cabinets:
The 5 Best Primers for Kitchen Cabinets
KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Interior/Exterior Latex Primer
In search of the gorilla glue equivalent of primer?
Grab a can of KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Latex Primer.
This is our top overall pick for the best primers for kitchen cabinets and has high adhesion compared to its compatriots on the list.
It is also specially formulated to provide excellent adhesion to even the toughest surfaces, making it a great choice for painting kitchen cabinets that have been previously painted or have other coatings.
Pros
- Provides excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Low-odor formula
- Dries quickly
Cons
- It can be difficult to clean up
- Occasionally tough to apply evenly, depending on the surface
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus
We have Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus primer among the top of our list of best primers for kitchen cabinets.
This is a versatile primer that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic.
It’s also low-odor and dries quickly, making it a great choice for indoor projects like painting kitchen cabinets.
If you’re looking for a reliable and sturdy primer that will get the job done with little to no fuss, you cannot go wrong with the Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus!
Pros
- It can be used on a wide range of veneers
- Dries quickly
- Low-odor formula
- Provides a smooth finish
- It can be used with both oil-based and water-based paints
Cons
- Not ideal for heavily stained or discolored wood
- Not great for refurbished wood
Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer
Do you have some nasty water-damaged spots on your wall?
Have you tried to cover them with a spot of paint and still seen that stain peeking through?
Never fear, because you’ve got the Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer here for you!
This primer is ideal for painting kitchen cabinets, especially ones that are heavily stained or have water damage.
It can be applied to a number of materials, including wood, metal, and fiberglass, and has excellent adhesive qualities.
Pros
- Ideal for heavily stained or discolored wood
- It can be used on a variety of surfaces
- Provides excellent adhesion
- Dries quickly
Cons
- It has a pervasive odor
- It can be cumbersome to clean
- Due to its consistency, it can be pesky to apply
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Gray Primer
Are you looking to paint over those dark and dingy cabinets with something brighter and more cheery? Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Gray Primer is the solution!
Changing from a dark color to a light color is kind of tricky. Thankfully, with this primer, going from light to dark is a breeze.
This primer is specially formulated to provide excellent adhesion and coverage to dark surfaces, making it a great choice for painting over wood cabinets that have a dark stain.
Pros
- Provides excellent coverage over dark surfaces
- It can be used on a variety of surfaces
- Low-odor formula
- Dries quickly
Cons
- It may require multiple coats to achieve the desired coverage
- Sometimes difficult to apply evenly
XIM 11051 Advanced Technology UMA Bonder
This primer is specially designed to bond to hard-to-paint surfaces like PVC, vinyl, and fiberglass, making it a great choice for painting cabinets with glossy or plastic surfaces, and you might find it helpful for metal surfaces, too.
Pros
- Provides excellent bonding to hard-to-paint surfaces
- Low-odor formula
- Dries quickly
Cons
- It can be difficult to clean up
- Some users report that it can be difficult to apply evenly
Buying Guide For Primer for Kitchen Cabinets
Reviews
The great thing about modern-day shopping is having a review section.
Reviews can tell you all you need to know about a product before purchasing it.
So, thoroughly review the comments of the product you intend to buy before getting it. You’ll find out:
- How long it takes to dry
- If it has longevity
- If it affects your health
- If it gives off toxic fumes
- If it gives you more bang for your buck
- The type of consistency it has
- The tools you’ll need
Your Cabinet Surface
Cabinets are typically made of wood. However, wood comes in many forms, such as teak, oak, redwood, and more.
Some cabinets are made from other materials, including metal, plastic, or glass.
In those cases, you’ll need a specialized primer suited to those materials.
Another consideration is whether or not your surface has been painted before or whether this is a brand-new cabinet getting painted for the first time. Knowing that can determine a primer specializing in your cabinet’s requirements.
So, consider your surface before purchasing a primer.
Cost
We suggest having a budget for your remodel unless you have copious amounts of money to spend.
If you’re on a sizable budget, you can afford to splurge on a primer. If not, we’ve included some lower-priced options to fit your needs.
The Type of Primer
Primer comes in different forms, namely:
- Oil-Based
- Shellac
- Water-Based
Then there are the specialized metal primers:
- Rust Inhibiting Primer
- Galvanized Primer
- Iron Oxide primer
The Kind of Paint You Want to Use
Paint also comes in different forms; some paints work better with certain primers. Therefore, choose the primer that will layer well with specific paints.
Here are the most common paint types:
- Latex Paint(Our preferred option for kitchen cabinets)
- Oil-Based Paint
- Acrylic Paint
Under the variety of paint types, you also have to consider the following:
- Matte
- Semi-gloss
- Gloss
- Satin
This is where hybrids can come in. Hybrids are a 2-in-1 primer and paint that will allow you to skip a step in the process.
Conclusion:
So, with this comprehensive directory on all things primer, you should have everything you need to purchase the best primers for kitchen cabinets.
Our favorite on this list is the KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Interior/Exterior Latex Primer.
Nevertheless, the other primers on the list are up to the task.
Now grab the best primer for your kitchen cabinet and get to it!