Rust-Oleum Corporation 901 Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer, 1-Gallon, White

my go-to primer for painting stained/varnished wood & trim. I'm renovating a house and have gone through about 5 gallons painting casings, baseboard, stair risers, spindles and doors. I tried several water based primers and none can stop the tannin bleed like BIN. It is the absolute best. You need to know it is very watery and takes some care to lay down a nice finish. Always paint back into a wet edge, and work fast. It dries very quickly. If used properly and applied well there is no better primer. Cleanup requires Denatured Alcohol or Ammonia/Water. I go with Ammonia because is far cheaper and works just as well. Recommend you keep a rag dampened with ammonia on hand while painting because wiping a drip with a finger or dry rag will only magnify your problem. I was also very happy with this particular seller, Norkan, Inc. Good price, fast delivery and the packaging was outstanding.

The ONLY primer I will use. I refinish furniture and anytime I’m painting it, this is my go-to. Same for anything else that needs painted. Don’t use the new formula without shellac. Don’t use the blue can without shellac. Don’t use any other brand. You’ll end up stripping it again and using this. (Ask me how I know) This covers everything, blocks tannins and stains, and ensures paint sticks. Follow the directions and you’ll be golden. Make sure you stir it well. The shellac settles and the bottom tends to get thick. It is very thin - almost like cream - and dries super quick. I use disposable brushes and rollers with it bc the shellac is a pain to clean. You can clean it from brushes by soaking in a mixture of Dawn dish soap, ammonia and hot water.

At the time of this review the product was about 67 bucks. Very expensive imo. Does it cover well-definitely yes. It covered two burn spots that were dark brown, with one coat (as a primer). We used it to cover and prime a wallpaper surface. It worked great. The final paint coat went on smooth and adhered extremely well to the now primed surface. We are pleased with the results. I guess you get what your WILLING to pay for .

I always keep some of this in my supply. It is hands down the best shellac primer ever. I use it on everything! It’s bond is incredible and I trust the product any time I need to use it. It is strong smelling as it is an oil based primer, but if you’re only doing small spots, you should be fine. When I was using it in my enclosed bathroom, even with the fan on and no doors even attached in any doorways, I needed to use a respirator. When I was priming my trim, moving around the house and with windows open, I did not need one. I tried some other brand’s “bonding” primers before (they are not worthy of the word), I don’t know why I wasted my money on those products, but nothing is as good as this stuff. Anyway, super reliable and the best on the market!

Thin and was probably watered down and used first. Also the can was bent and the handle was broken

Good primer sealed old wood fence one coat. The price was a little steep but nice to have it delivered to my front door and not have to deal with the general public. 🙉

I bought this stuff after researching ways to cover up bad paint odors. My son's room had reeked for over a year due to him painting with a "no VOC" paint. It left a strange smell that did not dissipate despite numerous attempts on my part (baking it out with portable heaters, washing the walls with vinegar, etc.). As persistent as the odor was I didn't have high hopes for a primer being able to cover it up, especially with one coat, but BIN totally worked! His room smells completely normal now and I am so relieved. Note that as expected for an alcohol based primer it will give off a lot of chemicals during application. I hired a friend to do it for me because I am pregnant, and my friend said he got a buzz from the fumes. However the smell was easily contained by keeping the bedroom door shut and windows open, and it dissipated very quickly.

I covers very well but only time will tell if it truly prevents the pine knots from bleeding through. Use denatured alcohol for clean up; works great. It dries fast and you need to work quickly to keep a smooth finish; but a light sanding between coats is sufficient to smooth it out a bit (if necessary) It arrived quickly and special, metal clips are used to ensure that the lid does not come loose.