Best Exterior Primer Paint in 2024

When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, you want to make sure you’re using the best products available. So, choosing an exterior primer is just as important as choosing the right paint for your project.

A quality primer can help protect interior and exterior surfaces from moisture, mildew, and other elements that can cause damage if left untreated. Primers create a perfect base for the paint to adhere to, ensuring your work lasts longer and looks better.

Below we have provided the best exterior primers available on the market. We have also answered the most important questions and summarised these in an FAQ (please see further down).
Primer For All Multi-Surface Primer

#1. INSL-X AP100009A-04 Primer For All Multi-Surface, White, 32 Fl Oz – Best Outdoor Primer

When it comes to the best exterior primer, we have to give it to the INSL-X AP100009A-04 Primer For All Multi-Surface General Purpose Exterior Latex Primer.

This primer is specifically designed for the outdoors and is absolutely perfect for porous surfaces and uneven textures outdoors such as stucco, wood, brick, and masonry.

It is also pretty good value for the money.

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Why choose the best exterior primer paint?

The exterior of a home is the first thing that people see, so it’s important to keep it looking fresh and new.

Exterior primer paint is one way to ensure that your home stands out from the rest. Primer paint provides a layer of protection against the elements and helps improve the adhesion, durability, and longevity of an exterior finish coat.

When selecting an exterior primer paint, consider the quality of the product.

Some low-quality primers are less protective and may not last as long as top-quality products.

Now, before applying any primer, make sure the surface is thoroughly cleaned. Any dirt or other contaminants can prevent proper adhesion with your chosen finish coat. It’s also important to use a high-grade brush or roller for even coverage when painting with primer.

Also, to get optimal results from your exterior primer paint job, follow manufacturer directions carefully.

Best Exterior Primer Paints Reviews

 

#1. INSL-X AP100009A-04 Primer For All Multi-Surface – Overall Best Exterior Primer Paint

We consider the INSL-X AP100009A-04 Primer For All Multi-Surface to be the best exterior primer because it does a tremendous job in sealing off porous surfaces outdoors and uneven surface texture.

Basically, this stuff is specifically formulated for outdoor use and just simply works better than most general-purpose primers out there in priming and sealing all types of porous outdoor surfaces.

This exterior water-based primer is also fast drying and ready to be top-coated after one hour with either latex or oil-based paint. The catch is you have to properly prepare the surface.

Finally, just remember you probably shouldn’t use it on the flooring or glossy surfaces, especially not those that are prone to stains, mildew, or mold.

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#2. Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Exterior Primer – Best Exterior Wood Primer

For those who want the best exterior primer, we think the Rust-Oleum Painters Touch is a great call.

While it is technically a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor primer, we think it just works better outdoors.

What separates the Rust-Oleum Painters Touch from the competition is just its amazing bonding strength and adhesion properties.

It really bonds to many surfaces with ease, so basically requires very little work from your end. It can go on metal, plastic, wood, masonry, unglazed ceramic, and more.

Overall, the Painters Touch provides a chip-resistant long-lasting base for any top coat. It also goes on smoothly and minimizes surface imperfections.

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#3. XIM Peel Bond Exterior Primer – Best Outdoor Paint Primer With Strong Bonding Agent

Next up, we have the XIM Peel Bond Exterior Primer. This stuff is definitely not in the spotlight and not many people know about it.

But we believe we have found a hidden gem.

If you want the best exterior primer that pretty much does everything and has great value for the money, this is it. The only thing is it is an off-brand with limited reviews.

To sum it up, it does a great job in spot priming, filling up cracks, and bonding to all surfaces. It also has a high build with low VOC and easy water cleanup.

But what we think makes this one stand out is that it just really does a good job of filling up surface cracks and imperfections, which will happen to all of your exterior surfaces.

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#4. Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Exterior Primer – Amazon’s choice

The Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Exterior Primer is a water-based primer and sealer combo that works great outdoors. It really stands out in that it offers excellent flexibility.

So this allows the application process to be very seamless. It flows well and gets into cracks and uneven spots and does a great job of filling them up.

So basically, it creates an incredibly smooth surface to place a topcoat over and it completely seals the surface to protect it from bad weather.

Also, it is ready to topcoat in 2 hours.

But still, if you had a reason to get this exterior primer, it would definitely have to be for superior flexibility.

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#5. Prestige Exterior Paint and Primer In One – All in one solution

Prestige Exterior Paint and Primer In One

Finally, we have the Prestige Flat Series, which is not quite a stand-alone exterior primer, but we just like it so much that we had to include it.

This is actually a paint and exterior primer combo with a high hide, excellent coverage, and a very smooth application.

This combo also gives you a very nice mildew-resistant coating that many of the other exterior primers out there simply just don’t have.

Also, it is an easy soap and water cleanup. Finally, it is definitely a cherry on top to have the paint as well. And there are many colors to choose from so we are sure you can find the right one for you.

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Frequently asked question (FAQ)

Should I prime exterior before painting?

Yes, this is an absolutely critical step. Priming exterior surfaces before painting is an essential step in the painting process. Without priming, not only will you get a poor finish, but you may also end up with costly damage to your home. Primer acts as a sealant and helps create a bond between the paint and whatever surface it’s being applied to. A good bonding primer will ensure that the paint adheres properly and improves its durability against weather elements like rain or wind.

When selecting a primer for an exterior surface, it’s usually better to use an oil-based option since it provides better protection against water than latex-based options. Oil-based primers are more resistant to temperature changes, provide better hiding capabilities, and form a stronger bond when mixed with other layers of paint or coatings.

Do you need a special primer for exterior paint?

Yes, you need a special primer. To be honest, not all primers are equal. And, if you’re planning on repainting the outside of your home, it’s essential that you use a primer specifically made for exterior application. In applying such exterior primer before the final coat of paint, you’ll ensure a long-lasting and beautiful finish.

Note that if your walls have been previously painted with oil-based paint, if they have any mildew or water damage, or if they are unpainted masonry, then it’s important that you use a stain-blocking primer first. This will give an extra layer of protection from moisture and other elements that can cause damage over time.

Can I use an interior type of primer for exterior application?

Of course not. Do not apply interior primer to exterior surfaces. Interior primers are designed specifically for use in dry conditions, while exterior primers are formulated with special additives that help protect against weathering and UV rays from sunlight. So an interior primer will definitely not suit exterior projects.

Using an interior primer on an exterior surface may lead to flaking or peeling down the line, due to its lack of durability and inability to resist moisture damage over time. It’s best practice to use a dedicated primer that has been specifically designed with your project in mind – either interior or exterior – and never mix the two without consulting a professional.

What to Consider when choosing the best exterior primer?

Exterior primer is an essential part of every exterior paint job. Primer provides a strong base on which the top coat of paint can adhere to for many years to come.

Knowing when it’s necessary to use the right primer and how to choose the right one for your project makes all the difference in ensuring that your painting job will be successful and last for many years.

An oil-based best primer is a great choice when working with bare wood, as it seals and protects against moisture infiltration while providing a surface on which the topcoat of paint can easily adhere.

This type of primer also helps prevent tannin bleed from newly installed cedar siding or log homes, so if you’re planning on painting these types of exteriors, oil-based primer is recommended.

Now, in addition to the above, we really feel you need to look at the below. These are the time you should consider using an outdoor primer:

  • The primer needs to be used on surfaces that will require another coat of paint. It needs to prepare for the final painting coat.
  • If you have glossy old paint, then you must use a primer.
  • Use it if your painting surfaces have been poorly prepared.
  • Also, use it on surfaces that have been repaired
  • For any other surfaces that have been sanded or scraped quite heavily, then again use an exterior primer.
  • If you have bare wood, then start with a fresh primer after sanding the wood.
  • In the presence of old painted wood, then again, sand it, clean it, and then apply an acrylic primer or oil primer or latex primer.

Do exterior wood primers exist?

Yes, wood primers exist. These specific primers provide an extra layer of protection to your wood. They essentially keep it safe from environmental damage due to rain, snow, sun, and other weather-prone elements.

To find the best exterior wood primer on the market today, you need to know what you’re looking for. Consider factors such as how long it will last in different weather conditions and what type of finish you want it to have when applied.

It is also important that your choice of primer is designed specifically for use on exterior wood so that it can stand up against the changing temperatures and humidity levels that occur outdoors. With a quality primer in place, you can help ensure that your wood surface looks its best for years to come.

 

References

https://www.vtpainters.com/exterior-painting/importance-primer-exterior-repaints/

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/select-exterior-paint-primer-26437.html

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