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Best Leveling Primer for Cabinets - Zinsser 1-2-3 or Fresh Start

12 years ago

I'm preparing to paint our cabinets, doors and trim. I have some Zinsser 123 but it seems really thick and sticky. I'm worried that it will leave brush marks. I've heard that BM Fresh Start has superior leveling capabilities. Since I'm not a professional painter, I'll need all the help I can get.

I'll be using Ace Cabinet and Door paint for the top coat. Can someone please tell me which primer would level best? Fresh Start is much more expensive ($37). I don't want to spend the extra money unless it will make a difference.

Featured Answer

kendog2
Original Author

12 years ago

Thank you so much Christophern and Brushworks. I'll give the Fresh Start Superior and 220 sandpaper a try. (When I asked the question, I wasn't aware that the Superior was different from the regular Fresh Start.)

By the way, Christophern, I love the comment you post: "Better to leave the walls bare than to put Behr on the walls." I confess that I actually do use Behr (flat) paint on my walls because I can't afford BM paint especially since I often end up changing my mind about the color. I've been happy with the wall paint but the Behr semi-gloss and high gloss didn't work well at all for painting furniture and doors. It was too thick and didn't level properly - left a lot of brush marks. Until I found this site, I thought spraying must be the only way to go. I'm so grateful to everyone here for setting me straight. It would no doubt have been another disaster to spray with Behr. I can't wait to try the Ace paint.

Thanks again!

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Comments (9)

PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
12 years ago
Fresh Start
Michael
12 years ago
Fresh Start

A very light sanding with #220 paper when primer is dry will provide a super smooth surface for paint.
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QUOTE:::Any water-based primer brands that you like better than the others for interior walls and cabinets? I'm looking for water-based (even for over built-ins with existing alkyd paint) There are several great primers, but again primers have their place and different primers do different jobs. Just normal change of color, minor (not medium or above repairs) once in awhile painting, then your Zinsser's 123 may be ok for your walls; built-ins I would sand with a softback sanding pad , then use XIM-UMA primer or Zinsser's -Smart Prime.
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PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
12 years ago
Fresh Start Superior

I don't think there is any superior, it is just Fresh Start, oil or latex
Michael
12 years ago
Behr paints have listened to customer requests and has improved their product over the years. I have applied it a few times this past season (commercial walls) and am quite pleased with the overall experience.

Use the Premium Plus.

Some painters are like car detailers. Anything sold OTC and outside of a "real" paint store is bad. For example, Meguiar's is a well known product in the car industry. Yet, among some professionals it's crap compared to Wolfgang, Optium, etc.

That's simply not true. :) Meguiar's is equal or better in most applications.
kendog2
Original Author
12 years ago
Christophern,

I did a search of Fresh Start images. It seems that there are many varieties of Fresh Start primer: All Purpose, Stain Block, Fast Dry, Penetrating, Enamel Underbody and Superior. Most of them appear to be available in oil or latex. The Ace store where I purchased the primer carried only the All Purpose and Superior types.

Brushworks, it's good to know that Behr has been improving their product. I haven't tried their Premium Plus. We like Meguiar's products too.
Vertise
10 years ago
"Fresh Start

A very light sanding with #220 paper when primer is dry will provide a super smooth surface for paint."

Why the need to sand after priming? Do you then vacuum and damp sponge the walls to remove the dust before rolling on the paint?
paintguy22
10 years ago
For normal wall painting, the dust will fall to the ground because of gravity. There would be no dust to remove with vacuums or damp sponges and if there was dust it would be such a small amount that it couldn't possibly be a factor for affecting the adhesion of the paint. Also, some guys sand between coats just because that is what they think you are supposed to do....in other words, it is part of the process. I sand for 2 reasons....to make a surface smooth or to rough up a surface (create tooth) so that paint will stick. I see no reason to sand a smooth surface because it's already smooth. I see no reason to sand a primer so that paint will stick to it since this is one of the primary reasons for using a primer in the first place. You can sand it between coats if you want of course. It certainly won't hurt anything. In my view though, this is a waste of time if the surface isn't rough.
Chaz Andre
3 years ago
We actually used Zinsser and fresh start before final coats of cabinet coats. When buying I asked if this was overkill on the primer, but the owner of the Benjamin Moore store told me one of his customers who has a refinishing company does the same so I felt better. They turned out great! Waiting for the new hinges.

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