20 Best Primer for Cabinets To Acheive a Professional Finish

Choosing the correct primer is essential if you want your cabinet painting project to turn out professionally. A top-notch and premium primer not only guarantees excellent paint adherence but also helps in hiding flaws, protecting the surface, and giving the final coat a smooth base.

The market is flooded with excellent alternatives, making it difficult to select the appropriate primer for your cabinets. In this complete guide, we will examine the criteria to take into account when choosing a primer for cabinetsand go through some of the top choices in the market.

To assist you in making an educated and suitable choice, we have put together a list of the top 20 primers available in the market right now. In this list, we have highlighted some of their main characteristics. Let’s start now!

Best Primers for Cabinets

Below are the 20 best primers available in the market. They have one of the best features and are value for money. Do keep the factors in mind while reviewing all the primers in this list so that you can get the best possible primer in your budget.

1. Zinsser B-I-N Shellac – Based Primer

Zinsser B-I-N is a top selling shellac-based primer known for its outstanding stain-blocking characteristics. Knots, sap, and other stains are effectively sealed in, keeping them from breaking the paint. This primer may be applied to a variety of surfaces, including metal, laminate, and wood, and it dries rapidly and has great adhesion.

2. Kilz Premium High-Hide Stain Blocking Primer

Kilz Premium High-Hide is a flexible water-based primer with superior stain-blocking qualities. It offers a clean and uniform surface while covering water stains, tannins, and smoke damage. This primer, which is appropriate for both interior and exterior usage, also aids in improving the adherence of the final paint layer.

3. Sherwin-Williams ProBlock Interior Oil-Based Primer

Sherwin-Williams ProBlock is an oil-based primer with exceptional adhesion and stain-blocking qualities. It has excellent concealing power and is specially made for indoor surfaces. This primer gives cabinets made of wood or MDF a smooth and long-lasting surface.

4. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High Hiding Primer

Known for its superb adherence and stain-blocking qualities, Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding Primer is a premium water-based primer of the highest caliber. It produces a smooth and perfect ground for your cabinet painting job by successfully covering previous paint colors, dark stains, and discolorations.

5. Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water Based Primer

A flexible water-based primer suited for a variety of surfaces, including cabinets, is Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3. This primer offers superb adhesion, prevents stains, and resists the formation of mold and mildew. It dries rapidly and works with latex and oil-based paints.

6. INSL-X Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer

A water-bonding primer called INSL-X Stix provides great adherence on smooth, challenging-to-paint surfaces like laminates and melamine. It creates a strong, long-lasting film that makes applying topcoat simple and guarantees a polished appearance.

7. KILZ Adhesion High Bonding Interior/Exterior Primer

KILZ Adhesion is a high-bonding primer that is perfect for cabinet painting tasks since it adheres to glossy and challenging to paint surfaces. It aids in the paint’s ability to adhere firmly to the surface, resulting in long-lasting surfaces.

8. PPG Gripper Interior/Exterior Primer & Sealer

PPG Gripper is a multipurpose primer and sealer that is appropriate to use inside and outside. It is a great option for cabinets because of its superior adherence and stain-blocking qualities. Additionally, this primer prevents the formation of mildew, guaranteeing a long-lasting finish.

9. Behr Premium Plus Interior/Exterior Multi-Surface Primer & Sealer

A multi-surface primer and sealer ideal for both interior and outdoor usage is Behr Premium Plus. It has great adherence and coverage, which helps to cover up surface flaws. This primer may be applied easily and produces a polished finish with a variety of paints that it is compatible with.

10. Valspar Bonding Primer-Sealer

High-quality bonding primer Valspar Bonding Primer-Sealer helps the paint adhere to cabinets and other hard, glossy surfaces. It provides a smooth and long-lasting finish by preventing stains and resisting tannin bleed-through. Both latex and oil-based paints can be used to top coat this primer.

11. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Moorwhite Exterior Wood Primer

Fresh Start Moorwhite by Benjamin Moore is a primer for outdoor wood that also performs admirably on interior wood surfaces. It offers great adhesion, seals the wood, and increases the final paint coat’s endurance. For cabinets that need a high level of protection, this primer is ideal.

12. Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer

An oil-based primer with great coverage, adhesion, and stain-blocking properties is Zinsser Cover Stain. It successfully conceals tannin bleed-through, smoke damage, and water stains. This adaptable primer works well with both oil-based and latex paints and may be applied to cabinets made of a variety of materials.

13. KILZ Original Interior Oil-Based Primer

The well-known oil-based primer, KILZ Original, is renowned for its exceptional stain-blocking abilities. Stains, including water stains, smoke damage, and ink marks, are effectively sealed in. This primer is appropriate for use on metal or wood cabinets and provides great adherence.

14. Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer

Cabinets can benefit from Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer, which was created particularly for difficult-to-paint surfaces. Even on difficult materials like PVC, fiberglass, and laminates, it offers great adherence. This primer guarantees a solid connection between the paint and the surface, producing a durable and expert finish.

15. PPG Seal Grip Interior/Exterior Acrylic Universal Primer/Sealer

A flexible acrylic primer and sealer ideal for both interior and outdoor applications is PPG SEAL GRIP. It has great stain-blocking abilities, good adherence, and gives a consistent basis for the paint. Cabinets are among the many substrates that this primer is compatible with, guaranteeing a polished result.

16. Rust-Oleum Professional Primer

A tough, oil-based primer created for professional uses is Rust-Oleum Professional Primer. It is appropriate for cabinets in high moisture or high traffic regions because of its outstanding adhesion and corrosion resistance properties. This primer delivers long-lasting effects and gives the paint a solid foundation.

17. KILZ Restoration Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Interior Primer/Sealer

Water-based primer and sealer KILZ Restoration Maximum was created while keeping severe stains and odors in mind. Pet, smoke, and water stains are efficiently blocked, leaving behind a fresh and odor-free surface. For cabinets that need considerable stain and odor coverage, this primer is perfect.

18. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start All Purpose Alkyd Primer

Fresh Start Alkyd Primer by Benjamin Moore is a premium alkyd-based primer appropriate for many surfaces, including cabinets, and is an all-purpose alkyd primer. It has exceptional stain-blocking, concealing, and adhesive properties. This primer dries rapidly and gives the final paint coat a flawless basis.

19. Zinsser Bulls Eye Zero Interior / Exterior Water-Based Primer

A low VOC water-based primer ideal for both interior and outdoor applications is Zinsser Bulls Eye Zero. It emits fewer odors and hazardous VOCs while offering great adhesion and stain-blocking qualities. For cabinets that need a more ecologically friendly choice, this primer is perfect.

20. Diamond Brite Paint Oil-Based All-Purpose Enamel Undercoat Primer

Diamond Brite All-Purpose Paint is an oil-based primer with good adherence and durability and is an enamel undercoat primer. It successfully covers up surface flaws and gives the final layer of paint a smooth basis. This primer offers a skilled and durable finish and is appropriate for cabinets made of diverse materials.

Factors to Be Considered When Choosing a Primer for Cabinets

The best primer that would be suitable for your cabinets would depend on numerous factors. So while reviewing the list of best primers, check the one that best fits your type and the factors. In this way, you can get the best primer that would be suitable and required.

When buying a primer for cabinets to achieve a professional finish, there are several important factors to be considered.

Here are some factors to be considered when choosing a primer for cabinets –

• The primer’s capacity to adhere to the surface is among the most crucial aspects to take into account. Cabinets are frequently constructed from a variety of materials, including metal, laminate, and wood, each of which calls for a certain kind of primer. The ability of a primer to adhere to the surface is essential for a durable and long-lasting finish to ensure that the paint adheres properly and doesn’t chip or peel over time.
• The final paint job may be impacted by stains, fading, or tannin bleed-through on cabinets. These problems won’t penetrate the paint thanks to a primer’s strong stain-blocking abilities, which also provide a smooth and clean surface for painting.
• A primer with leveling and smoothing qualities might assist with creating an excellent foundation for the paint if your cabinets have small flaws like scratches or dents.
• Some primers include strong smells and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may be bad for your health and the environment. Think about the scent and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that the primer emits.
• Make sure the primer you use is specially designed for the surface type you will be painting and is suitable for your cabinet. For different types of materials, such as metal, laminate, or wood, different primers are created. The best adhesion and a durable finish are guaranteed by using the appropriate primer for the particular surface.
• Check the manufacturer’s recommended drying time. Due to the frequent usage of cabinets, choosing a primer with a rapid drying period will enable you to complete the painting procedure quickly. Additionally, it will reduce the possibility of dirt or dust adhering to the primer while it dries.
• Whether using a primer with a brush, roller, or spray, look for products that are simple to use. The application procedure will be easier and more productive with a primer that has high flow and coverage characteristics.
• Reading reviews before purchasing a product is a universal factor. Read reviews of products and ask professionals or seasoned painters for ideas and recommendations on what primer you should purchase.
• Consider buying from companies that are trustworthy and are well-known brands for their superior primers. Well-known brands frequently produce reliable items that produce professional outcomes in the primer industry.

Conclusion

A professional finish that will survive the test of time requires careful consideration when selecting the finest primer for cabinets. When making your decision, take into account elements like adherence, stain-blocking capabilities, durability, leveling, and low VOC content.

Take into account crucial elements, including adherence, stain-blocking capabilities, durability, leveling, low VOC content, surface compatibility, drying time, simplicity of application, suggestions, brand reputation, and cost. This guide’s selection of the top 20 primers includes a variety of products with top-notch features and affordable prices.

You can turn your cabinets into wonderfully finished products that last for years to come by taking into account these elements and using the proper primer.

Enjoy the process of changing your cabinets into lovely and polished items by keeping in mind to adhere to the manufacturer’s application guidelines.