15 best primers

Painting material such as primer finds a wide range of applications. The main task of the primer is to create a special layer between the base and the finish. The formed substrate must have good adhesion (adhesion) with different materials. Today in the domestic market one can face with abundance, the consumer is offered both expensive and cheap products, in small cans 0,5-1,0 l and in huge canisters 10-20 l. In order not to make a wrong choice, it will be useful to get acquainted with the recommendations of the experts.

1. Purpose. First of all, before buying, you need to know what surface is planned to apply the composition, and what kind of finish will be used in the future. This is a very important point, t. k. Different materials have different absorbency. If it is important to create a good protective layer on the surface of metal products, the primer should penetrate deeply into wood or concrete. After such operation the consumption of paint, glue, plaster will be significantly reduced. The concept of versatility is not always an advantage for primers, so it is better to give preference to specialized compounds.
2. Recipe.Many different primer formulations have been invented, all of them have a common basis. The active ingredient may be acrylic, alkyd, polymer or epoxy. The most commonly used solvent is water or an organic compound. But a large number of additives are created. Antiseptics prevent the appearance of mold and mildew, the introduction of silicones increases the water repellency of the substrate, polymer additives increase the depth of penetration.
3. Penetration depth. One of the most important parameters of the primer is its degree of penetration into the base. Maximum impregnation depth required for porous materials. Concrete, cement-sand plasters, wood. The depth should be within 10-15 mm. But for metal parts it is more important to create an anti-corrosive layer with good adhesion on the surface. In this case the penetration depth can be minimal (up to 1 mm).
4. Drying time.Priming is an intermediate step in the renovation of rooms, buildings or automobiles. The best option is 1-2 hours, this time can be used for lunch or preparation for finishing.
5. Cost and consumption. The cost of primers on the Russian market seriously fluctuates, even for a single brand product. The thing is that many well-known companies have created joint ventures in our country, where the paint material. The quality is not always comparable to the original products, but the low price is pleasantly surprising. In addition to the price tag, it is important to know the primer consumption for each type of substrate. Often cheaper primers require 2-3 coats, resulting in higher consumption. This point is worth considering when comparing several products.

We have selected the 15 best primers in our review. All of them are sold in Russia. Expert and consumer feedback were taken into account in assigning the spots in the rating.

What is better – concrete binder or primer

Rating of the best primers

The best primers for concrete

Concrete substrates are highly absorbent. To keep plaster or tile from falling off in the first year, it is necessary to use a primer of deep penetration. The following compounds are chosen by the experts.

Knauf Betokontakt

Rating: 4.9

For the preparation of concrete and aerated concrete surface for high-quality finishing, experts recommend using the composition Knauf Betokontakt. The solution does not penetrate deep into the base, most often it soaks into the surface at 4-5 mm. But the main merit of this composition is the creation of high adhesion of the porous surface. Once the liquid dries (12 hours), a rough layer is formed. Even dry finishes cling perfectly to it. Concrete Contact can be used for priming foam, plastic, plaster. It is suitable for walls and ceilings, can be applied with a brush, roller or airbrush.

Despite its rather high price, the product becomes the winner of our rating. Builders note the ease of application and low consumption (0.25-0.4 kg / sq.m.) of. m.).

Advantages

• increased adhesion;
• economical consumption;
• versatility of use;
• high quality.

Disadvantages

• have not been detected.

Eskaro Aquastop Professional

Rating: 4.8

Preparation of internal and external bases for further finishing allows water-insulating primer-modifier Eskaro Aquastop Professional. The composition is a concentrated compound 1:10. Unlike competitors the composition gives the surface not only a good adhesion, but also provides reliable waterproofing. The depth of penetration reaches 6-10 mm, so it is recommended to treat not only foam and gas blocks, but also wood, plasterboard, bricks and plaster. The experts highly appreciated the drying speed (1-2 hours), and the possibility of using a variety of finishing materials, ranging from paint to tile.

Finishers are satisfied with the quality of the primer, but you must strictly follow the instructions, otherwise the adhesion will be poor.

Advantages

• deep penetration;
• wide scope of application;
• waterproofing and vapor barrier properties;
• dries quickly.

Disadvantages

• high price.

Optimist G 103

Rating: 4.7

Russian compound OPTIMIST G 103 is an environmentally friendly product for priming substrates prior to finishing work. Experts gave it the third line of our rating for the excellent combination of price and technical parameters. The mortar is designed for surfaces made of concrete, gypsum-based materials, wooden, cement and brick walls and ceilings. The primer is also suitable for processing of floors before leveling. No bacteria, fungi or mould settle in the dried coat.

The domestic composition is also good in terms of convenience in use. Thanks to the color indicator it is possible to qualitatively treat the surface, dries the applied layer for about 2 hours. Users are satisfied with the technical qualities of the primer, but many did not like the smell.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• wide area of application;
• environmental friendliness;
• resistance to biopollution.

Disadvantages

• unpleasant odor.

Ceresit CT 17

Rating: 4.7

One of the most popular primers among domestic builders is the composition Ceresit CT 17. Water-dispersion mixture is characterized by great penetration depth (up to 10 mm), good reinforcing and impregnating properties. The primer can be applied to a variety of substrates, ranging from concrete to wood. Due to resistance to frost and other atmospheric phenomena the composition is suitable for both internal and external treatment of bases.

The manufacturer deliberately made the color light yellow to make it easier for users to visually distinguish the primed surface from the untreated. Although it is this feature that for some reason causes criticism from consumers. Also the disadvantages are the high price and a peculiar smell. The fourth primer in the ranking.

Advantages

• deep penetration;
• universality;
• ease of application;
• dries quickly.

disadvantages

• high price;
• unpleasant odor.

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min Super-Grout AC-7

Rating: 4.4

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min Super-Grunt AC-7 is suitable not only for surface preparation for finishing works. It can be used as a modifying additive in the preparation of concrete. The formulation has been specifically developed for treating substrates with a high degree of water absorption. The depth of penetration is in the range of 6-8 mm, the product is supplied to the retail network in a ready-to-use form. The experts appreciated the adhesive properties of the mortar, small particle size (0.1-0.3 microns). At the same time, the long drying time (4-6 hours) prevented the primer from taking a higher position in the ranking.

Users are satisfied with the quality of the composition, the degree of penetration, ease of application. Only in Russia it is not always possible to buy the Ukrainian product.

Advantages

• deep penetration;
• high quality;
• ease of use;
• strengthens the substrate.

Disadvantages

• takes a long time to dry;
• scarce in stores.

Tikkurila Euro Primer

Rating: 4.4

Universal properties of the Finnish primer Tikkurila Euro Primer. Contains antibacterial and antiseptic additives, which are excellent against microorganisms. The outstanding feature of the product, for which the experts included it in our rating, is its resistance to moisture. Therefore, the area of application starts with internal areas and ends with external substrates. Because of the deep penetration (12-15 mm) the mortar consumption increases to 0.7 l / sq.m. m. The primer is supplied to the stores as a concentrate that is diluted with water only for internal application.

Finishers praise the compound for its high quality, fast drying (1 hour), versatility of use. But the price, as well as the consumption, leaves much to be desired.

Advantages

• high quality;
• good absorption;
• universality;
• strengthens the putty.

Disadvantages

• high price;
• high consumption.

The best primers for exterior works

In order for the primer coat to adhere well to the outer bases of buildings, it must have good water repellency and be resistant to frost. Such compositions can have an unpleasant odor, so they are not recommended for use inside houses. Experts liked the following formulations.

Eskaro Aquastop Facade

Rating: 4.9

Eskaro Aquastop Facade is a one-component mastic. The producer added siloxane, which has a beneficial effect on the hydrophobic properties of concrete bases. The primer penetrates deeply into the material, giving it vapor permeability. Professional builders noticed that the use of the composition can significantly reduce the consumption of expensive finishing materials. Different types of finishes require a certain ratio of concentrate to water. Maximal dilution before wallpapering (1:5). And when preparing the surface before painting the ratio is 1:3.

Users are flattered by the quality of the primer and the depth of penetration. It is not recommended to use the concentrate without dilution. Mastic becomes the winner of our rating.

Advantages

• high penetrating ability;
• high quality;
• waterproofing and vapor barrier properties;
• economical consumption.

Disadvantages

• high price.

Marshall Maestro

Rating: 4.8

Qualitatively prepare the surface for finishing allows Marshall Maestro primer. After primer treatment the substrate becomes rough, reminiscent of sandpaper. Experts note a multiple increase in adhesion, which improves the bond of the substrate with the finishing material. The producer added active components to the composition, due to which it was possible to increase the penetration depth up to 10 mm. The primer has the following advantages: fast drying time (1 hour). The impregnation is recommended for outdoor substrates only.

satisfied users with a reasonable price, high degree of adhesion and fast drying. The disadvantage of the material is considered a high consumption (0.1 l / sq.m.). m).

Advantages

• deep penetration;
• quick drying time;
• roughened surface;
• low water consumption.

Disadvantages

• For exterior use only;
• high flow rate.

Olsta Primer Exterior

Rating: 4.7

In the top three of our rating is a Finnish-Russian product Olsta Primer Exterior. Primer is recommended only for outside use, it is not suitable for finishing surfaces painted with alkyd or oil enamels. The use of the product can significantly reduce the water absorption of the concrete base. In addition to improved adhesion, the coating is resistant to cracking. The depth of penetration of the mortar reaches 15 mm. After applying the primer it is necessary to wait 12 hours, after which the surface can be finished with a cement-sand plaster or adhesive, screed or selflevelling mortar.

The high consumption (0,2 kg/sq.m) did not allow to rise above the composition. m) and high price.

Advantages

• improves adhesion;
• high penetration ability;
• prevents cracking;
• hardens the surface.

Disadvantages

• high price;
• Long drying time.

TEKS 2 in 1

Rating: 4.6

Universal qualities can boast primer Teks 2 in 1. The manufacturer has introduced antibacterial and antiseptic compounds that prevent the development of microorganisms. The composition is recommended for porous substrates, which will later be painted or glued. Can be worked on a wide range of substrates, from concrete to wooden surfaces. The mortar penetrates up to 6 mm deep, improves adhesion, increases the strength of the substrate and reduces the absorbency of the substrate.

The composition stops one step away from the top three in the ranking. Users praise it for its low price, ease of application. The primer works best on concrete, but not on plaster.

Advantages

• low price;
• dries quickly (1 hour);
• universality;
• good adhesion.

Disadvantages

• Not efficient enough for plastered surfaces.

Best wood primers

Primer-impregnation helps to ensure a long service life of wooden structures. They have a high penetrating power, while the presence of antibacterial and antiseptic additives prevent the development of microorganisms. Several formulations are recommended by builders.

Be

nka Base

Rating: 4.9

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