The best primer for kitchen cabinets can lay the groundwork for a successful home improvement project.
It helps the final layer of paint stick to the surface, ensuring a good-quality finish.
That said, finding the right product to use is easier said than done.
There are so many options, and picking just one can be daunting.
Fortunately, we have done most of the heavy lifting for you.
We will present five of today’s top kitchen cabinet primers and discuss their main features.
After reading, you should be able to decide more confidently.
Best Primer for Kitchen Cabinets Reviews
1. Kilz Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer
Kilz has been around since 1954, although you can trace its origin even years before that.
It started as a small company and has grown into one of the most trusted names in the paint industry.
Now, it has a wide selection of paints, sealants, and other related products.
The Kilz Adhesion Primer is one of its most popular offerings.
If you are dealing with tough-to-paint surfaces, this is a great option.
Product Highlights
The Kilz Adhesion Primer is a versatile product that you can apply both indoors and outdoors.
Using it offers many benefits, including the following:
- Sticks to Hard-to-Paint Surfaces
A good bonding primer ensures that your topcoats stay on the surface, even if it is hard to paint.
That is what Kilz Adhesion Primer offers.
It opens up many painting possibilities because it can stick to a wide variety of materials.
- Unique Latex Primer
What makes this primer unique is its advanced formulation that provides a secure anchor for topcoats.
It reduces or eliminates the need to sand dense, glossy surfaces like glass, tile, fiberglass, and metal.
Make sure you give it 24 hours to dry if priming for epoxies, lacquers, and other products with hot solvents.
- Versatile Application
This primer from Kilz is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
It adheres to most surfaces and dries to the touch within 30 minutes, allowing you to recoat within an hour.
- Safer for the Environment
As a water-based primer, this product from Kilz is safer during application.
The negative impact that it leaves on the environment is also lower.
The Good
The best thing about the Kilz Adhesion Primer is that you can use it even on hard-to-paint surfaces.
It also saves you a lot of trouble because it eliminates the need for sanding before applying the product.
The Bad
If there’s one thing you should consider before buying this product, it’s that it does not block stains or odors very well.
Pros
Cons
2. Zinsser Peel Stop Triple Thick Ponding Primer
Rust-Oleum is a global leader in the paint industry and is the company that distributes Zinsser.
Zinsser has a wide range of home, industrial, and automotive paint products.
The Peel Stop Triple Thick Ponding Primer is a high-tier offering from its extensive selection of primers.
It works best for surfaces that are worn and starting to peel.
Product Highlights
The Zinsser Peel Stop is a popular product among online buyers.
It has all the essential features that people look for in a primer.
- Triple Thick Formula
One of the many things that make this primer stand out is its thick formulation.
You can use it to coat right over peeling surfaces, saving you the trouble of totally removing the worn-out layers.
It does an outstanding job of hiding weathered surfaces, creating a smooth finish for your paint.
- Fast Drying
You can apply up to 30 mils of the Zinsser Peel stop, and it won’t sag even when it’s still wet.
Despite its thick formula, you don’t have to wait too long before you can recoat.
It becomes dry to the touch half an hour after application.
After two hours, you can start painting over it.
- Flexible Application
This primer from Zinsser is suitable for either indoor or outdoor use.
What is more, it allows you to top coat with pretty much any alkyd or latex paint.
The Good
The Peel Stop’s unique selling point is its thick formulation.
You can use it to coat over peeling or weathered surfaces without needing much preparation.
The Bad
While it is not the most expensive primer on the market, it is a bit on the expensive side.
Pros
Cons
3. Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer
Established in the early 2000s, Liquid Rubber is not new to the paint industry.
However, it does not have the long history that the two previous companies have.
That said, Liquid Rubber has done an excellent job carving its space on the market.
It now has an extensive selection of sealants and primers.
This primer is one of its more popular offerings and is suitable for a wide range of popular projects.
Product Highlights
The Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer is a bit expensive, but it offers many advantages that justify its heftier price tag.
- Improves Adhesion
This high-performing product is designed to increase bonding for maximum adhesion.
It is true for a wide variety of substrates, but you can expect the best results when working on wood and concrete.
- Multiple Applications
Aside from concrete and wood, you can apply this primer to many other surfaces.
This includes high-density polyethylene and many others.
It remains stable amid intermittent freezing and thawing cycles and dries up fast after application.
- Easy to Use
The Liquid Rubber Primer is easy to use and is suitable for various painting methods.
You can apply it with a conventional brush or roller equipment.
If you have the appropriate nozzle and delivery system, you can spray it too.
- Environmentally Friendly
This product is water-based and non-toxic.
It contains no solvents and is low on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In other words, it is safe for humans, pets, and the environment.
The Good
What makes this primer stand out is that it offers maximum adhesion.
This is especially true for wood and concrete but is also suitable for other substrates.
The Bad
The Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer is relatively pricey, so this is something that you have to consider before burying it.
That said, you will find that it offers much value for its price.
Pros
Cons
4. XIM Acrylic Bonder and Primer/Sealer
XIM is another company whose products Rust-Oleum carries and distributes.
It specializes in primers, sealers, coatings, and other surface preparation products.
The Acrylic Bonder Primer/Sealer is one of its more affordable offerings.
It is suitable for a wide variety of surfaces and top coats.
Product Highlights
XIM is known for its high-quality bonding primers, and the Acrylic Bonder Primer/Sealer lives up to the company’s reputation.
It has all the essential features you need for a successful painting project.
- Excellent Adhesion
The Acrylic Bonder Primer/Sealer was made using advanced manufacturing technologies.
As a result, it has both primer and adhesive-like properties.
It provides a strong bond for your top coats, even on tough-to-paint surfaces like Formica, metals, glass, and more.
- Multiple Applications
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this product is ideal for a wide range of projects.
You can also use it as a primer for virtually any top coat.
Just ensure that the surface is clean and dry and does not have oils or other forms of contamination.
- Low Odor and VOCs
Another thing you would love about this product is that it does not emit much odor.
This feature is critical if you are painting something inside the house and the ventilation is not good.
More importantly, it is low on VOCs, which means it is safe for the user and the environment.
The Good
What we like most about the XIM Acrylic Bonder and Primer/Sealer is that it is suitable for all top coats.
You can expect a high level of adhesion, whatever type of paint you apply over it.
The Bad
The XIM is not among the most expensive of today’s primers, but it can be a bit pricey.
Pros
Cons
5. Country Chic Clear Bonding Primer
Established in 2014, Country Chic is relatively new to the industry.
However, the manufacturing team behind it boasts over 80 years of experience and is no slouch.
The company has a broad range of paints, top coats, DIY kits, and other related products.
You can rest assured that each one of them offers top-notch quality.
The Country Chic Clear Bonding Primer is no exception, as it removes the stress of painting problematic surfaces.
Product Highlights
Country Chic did a lot of things right with the Clear Bonding Primer.
It has all the good qualities that you would expect from a high-end product.
- Safe for the Environment
This bonding primer is water-based and has an ultra-low VOC content.
It does not contain harmful chemicals that you often see in other brands, like phthalates, formaldehyde, or heavy metals.
In short, it is eco-friendly and very safe to handle.
- Easy to Use
Using the Country Chic Clear Bonding Primer is very easy.
All you need is a piece of brush, and you are good to go.
The bonding agents will take care of the rest and ensure that the paint stays where it should, even on smooth surfaces.
- Dries Clear
One thing that sets this primer apart is that it dries completely clear.
This feature will come in handy if you plan to distress a piece of furniture you are painting.
That is because you can see the original wood tone, not the primer.
The Good
This primer dries clear, a convenient feature when distressing pieces of furniture.
The Bad
Before you purchase this product, note that it is one of the more expensive brands on the market.
Also, it does not block tannin and nicotine bleed-through.
Pros
Cons
Buyer’s Guide
Shopping around for a primer might sound simple, but in reality, you have your work cut out for you.
There are so many options available, so picking just one can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for.
Fortunately, there are ways to narrow down your options.
Type of Primer
The first thing you need to decide is what kind of primer to get.
Water-based options are DIY favorites since they are easy to use and dry fast.
Moreover, they generate less odor, which is a big plus for many people.
However, the resulting finish may not be as durable as other types.
Oil-based primers offer better performance, but they emit unpleasant fumes.
If your preferred delivery method is through a spray, an alcohol-based primer is your best bet.
Odor and Stain Blocking Features
Another thing you need to consider is the odor and stain blocking feature.
You would not want your kitchen cabinet to smell weird or to pick up stains from tannins, spills, and grease.
Adhesion to Surface
Of course, the primer must stick to whatever material a surface is made of.
In addition, it must accept the top coat you plan to paint over it.
Safety
When shopping for a primer, look for brands that have low VOCs and do not have harsh chemicals.
This is for the safety of the user and the environment.
Primer for Cabinets FAQs
1. How many coats of primer should I apply?
Generally, one coat is enough.
If the cabinet is dark and you want to hide its color completely, you might need two coats of primer.
However, know that solid wood cabinets can easily absorb water-based paints.
Suppose you stick to water-based primers to avoid harmful fumes from oil-based alternatives.
You might have to apply more than two coats to seal the wood.
2. Do kitchen cabinets need a special primer?
Wood cabinets can be sanded and sealed to have no particular primer requirements.
However, laminate cabinets usually require a bonding primer.
3. Should I sand my cabinet before applying the primer?
It depends on the type of primer you will use and the cabinet material.
That said, there are primer brands that eliminate the need for sanding.
4. Is priming really necessary?
Yes, the best primer for kitchen cabinets hides imperfections, prevents bleed-throughs, and ensures that the paint sticks properly.
5. How long should I wait for my primer to dry?
It varies from brand to brand, but the usual range is between one to four hours.
Which Kitchen Cabinet Primer Is Best for You?
You can choose any of these kitchen cabinet primers and not regret it.
That said, we highly recommend the Kilz Adhesion Primer.
It can handle tricky surfaces very well, is suitable for many applications, and is safe to use.
Moreover, you get to enjoy all these benefits for a reasonable price.