Is it possible to have Bin or Kilz tinted to the color of the top coat? Will that allow me to get by with one coat, maybe? Any experience with this would be much appreciated.
Happy Holidays to all. Mike L.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
A standardized approach, quick-to-install hardware, and a simplified design make building custom casework cost-effective.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
According to Zinsser product information, BIN can be tinted, but they have a lot of disclaimers. Read more here: http://www.zinsser.com/pdf/Decorating_Tinted_Shellac.pdf
I've never tinted BIN because I've never painted large areas with it. I don't think it was intended as an all-purpose, large area primer.
I have tinted Kilz, both the oil and latex versions without any problems. And it is very possible to get by with one topcoat by tinting the primer, but it depends on how dark the color is. In general, the darker the paint, the less hiding ability it has and so it's more important to get a close match with the primer.
If the primer is tinted using the same formula as the paint, it will probably come out darker and it's just as hard to cover light over dark as dark over light. I have my paint store tint my primers to 1/2 the formula of the paint. For dark colors 3/4 formula might work better, but I usually plan on 2 topcoats for dark colors so I haven't actually tried this yet. The slightly lighter shade of primer also helps to know where you've painted already.
I've had BIN tinted, but it was for a very dark color in my theater room. Even then I still had to do three coats of paint.
I should've had it tinted dark gray instead of "half-tint".
When I did my dining room (almost a burgundy) the HD told me to use the gray primer (it was their regular primer I think, but I know it wasn't BIN or Kilz), and that seemed to work much better (I still had to do two coats of the dark red).
If going with a dark color I don't think you'll get away with 1 coat, no matter what.
If you are top coating with a dark color and you can get away with a latex primer, sealer, stain killer, Bullseye 1-2-3 comes in dark color bases that allow it to be tinted darker colors and the Glidden Gripper (sold at HD) comes in a gray primer to make coverage easier with dark colors. The latex primers should work most places where BIN and Kilz will except for heavy smoke and water staining while being easier on the brain cells. Any of the white primers should be able to be tinted near the final color if your top coat is a light color.
primers are not meant as a top coat and have different properties. that is why primers usually come with top coat instructions. the primer will often break down/fail without the top coat over time. (hardie pre-primed siding has top coat within x months in specs to not void warranty).
just cuz it looks good now it may fail sooner than expected. curbside guarantee
I used the BIN today. Had it tinted pretty close to finish coat which is a light trendy brown color. Put on three gallons. It stinks just like I remember. A co-worker walked in and said "oh, you are using the good stuff". May as well toss the brush and roller cover.................tough to clean w/o alcohol. ( for the brush/roller cover) :) :) I put on about 2.5 gallons of Sher-Wm. Duration satin as a top coat. It turned out real well. Thanks for your thoughts folks!! Mike L.