An Impromptu Product Review
This was the scene in front of my condo last night.
I was up to my eyeballs in cabinet doors and primer, lining the front of my condo until 11:30 p.m. Oh, don’t you just know my neighbors think I’m absolutely INSANE!! I’m always dragging out my power tools, setting up my little folding table, working on various painting and staining projects. I think most of them are probably used to it by now. They probably call me “crazy tool lady” or something like that when I’m not around. 
Anywhoooo…
Remember earlier in the week when I was singing the praises of oil-based primer? Well, I learned yesterday that all brands are not created equally. I had previously only used Zinsser Cover Stain oil-based primer, but for some reason, I chose to use Kilz oil-based primer yesterday. OH.MY.GOSH. Talk about frustrating!!!!
My experience was that the Kilz dries way too fast, which would cause my brush to “drag”, and would leave brush marks galore, and all kinds of uneven ugliness.
That was NOT my experience with Zinsser. The Zinsser went on smoothly and was much easier to use. I also found that the Zinsser covers a bit better.
So, I wanted to pass that along to you in case you were going to start a painting project in the near future, and use an oil-based primer as I suggested. I would HATE for you to have the frustrating experience that I had, and then regret having taken my advice.
Now I’m not too concerned about the cabinet doors I’m painting, because I always sand the primer coat with super fine sandpaper before painting anyway, so that I end up with a really smooth finish. It’s just that now I’ll have to do a bit more sanding than I had originally intended.
Oh well. We live and learn, right?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Thank you for sharing your experience- It is always good to know others experience. So Zinsser it is.
You'd make such a great neighbor. I bet your fellow condo-mates watch with envy as you magically transform something blah (like shims!!) into something fabulous.
Love the projects. Fortunately I have a garage and yard to hide my fanaticism! 😉
Oooooooh!!! All my complaints about the oil-based primer, and my questions about drag marks, etc, may be in part to me using the Kilz brand! Where do you go to get the Zinsser stuff? I was so frustrated with the Kilz!
Anne, I got mine at Home Depot. And if you're working on a really big project, like kitchen cabinets, be sure to get your primer tinted to match your paint!! 🙂
You know I always use Kilz. Maybe that is why I dislike oil based so much! Will have to try Zinsser.
Well I'm super glad I checked your blog, I bought a quart of Kilz Oil Based Primer this weekend. Thank goodness I haven't opened it yet!