Painting wooden projects can become a fun DIY activity if you know what you’re doing and enjoy the creative time. However, finding the best primer to get the job done accurately can sometimes be pressurizing.
Eventually, it could be dreadful if the results turn out underwhelming.
So, what to do?
Bag the best quality primers, of course! But how?
Don’t worry, I’ve all the answers. Keep reading to know the best four exterior primers that can be your ultimate game-changer.
Top Exterior Primers For Soffit And Fascia
Here’s my take on helping you find the best market primers. After thorough research, usage, and skimming customer reviews, I have boiled down my top favorites. So, without further ado, let’s dive deeper and see which of these primers suits your outdoor project best.
KILZ Klear Primer
Kilz is well-known for its high-performing features and for good reasons.
It comes in a seal porous, clear bond formulation, which provides breathable and flexible yet the most rigid layers atop exterior and interior surfaces.
Moreover, it’s also alkali resistant and can be applied atop fresh concrete with a finish that’ll serve you in the long run.
Simply apply a layer and witness magic in front of your eyes as it dries within 30 minutes!
The main attraction of this sealant comes from its versatility as it can mesh well with brick, masonry, plastics, aluminum, wood, plaster, and drywall. So yes, the DIY opportunities are pretty endless.
Lastly, this 5-gallon transparent sealant is a dream come true if you crave a flat and clear finish with high adhesion and stable features like I do.
Caution & Tips: The primer is relatively thin. Therefore, one coat will never do the trick, and two to more layers are a must. Moreover, it’s not 100% clear and has a milky appearance.
- Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Latex Primer
Rust-Oleum wins hearts with its massive range of primer colors that let me select between generic best-sellers and unique hues for my outdoor and indoor projects.
Furthermore, it was a fresh change to see that their versatility didn’t end with their vast array of colors but also stretched out to ceramics, masonry, plaster, metal, and wood surface usage recommendation.
This water-based primer has an acrylic formula with long-lasting protection, chip-resistant, and low odor features.
I could easily cover about 120 square feet of wood. And the best part was that it only took half an hour to dry up, so my project was completed in a jiffy.
This product also remains a favorite as it applies smoothly and provides an excellent base to minimize exterior imperfections.
Caution & Tips: The primers have some odor that can harm the users if proper preventive measures aren’t taken. And even though some users seem to accept the fume effects, they dislike that the brand doesn’t sell bigger volumes or gallons of the primers.
- KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer
The Kilz-2, all-purpose primer has some of the best features.
Its vital plus point is its high adhesive capabilities which stick to surfaces in a stubborn grip letting the latter layers of paint truly shine.
The best part?
You will require less paint by the end of the whole process, so it will save you a ton of time and bucks.
However, its goodness doesn’t end there. You can hide stains and block mildew growth on the surfaces revealing wood that looks brand new!
The oil-based primer is also great for stain blocking after application and can cover around 300 to 400 square feet per gallon. Recoats will also be a charm as each layer dries up within 30 minutes.
Caution & Tips: The Kil-Z, all-purpose, may be an all-rounder; however, if you require the toughest features for your interior or exterior primer, you should skip this edition entirely.
Other formulas from this brand can work better for a full-proof finish than this oil-based primer which works best for mild to medium cases.
- Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 All Surface Primer
Looking for a primer that can provide top-notch features even on complex surfaces?
Well, your search officially ends here with this Zinsser primer that’s a God-send for all difficult and glossy surfaces.
This water-based primer formula can be painted atop metal, masonry, wood, concrete, and drywall exteriors.
Here’s some good news for users who like to exert less effort like me; you don’t necessarily need to sand the surfaces before applying this primer.
The formulation is so extraordinary that it can stick and seal without much prior preparation.
You will notice that the topcoat will be dry and ready within 35 minutes of application. It will also cover around 87 to 112 square feet. The stain-blocking primer can be painted over latex or oil and sometimes won’t even require additional layers for extra coverage or hiding imperfections.
Caution & Tips: Unfortunately, this great product only comes in the color white. Users would love to see some diversification in its color range which can also optimize its usage and possibilities.
Points to Remember While Choosing The Best Exterior Primer For Fascia And Soffit
From our discussion so far, you must know what to expect from the best exterior primers.
However, there are still a few details that are left to skim.
A significant aspect of choosing a suitable primer is knowing what you need or what will mesh well with your project.
Hence, let’s look at a few must-have features that you need to check before splurging on a primer.
- Stain-Blocking Properties
First and foremost, if you’re looking to cover up old stains and marks, you need to search for features that can carry out those specifications in your primer.
Generally, most water and oil-based primers have such properties along with UV-resistant and stain-blocking features, which are a massive plus for long-term maintenance. Look for formulations that have stain-resistant, low-odor, and organic formulations.
- Moisture Resistance
Whether your project is indoors or outdoors, missing out on the chance of owning a moisture-resistant primer will be a significant loss. The outdoors, laundries, bathrooms, closets, or kitchens are major hives for surface peeling, flaking, ripping, and mildew growth.
Moreover, these moisture-prone exteriors keep stretching out to the house with after effects like blistering, bubbling, and even more peeling. Therefore, vapor barrier primers are a must-have for all users, even if you think you wouldn’t need them.
The moisture-resistant primers not only minimize mildew growth and its chances but also seals and protect surfaces against such moisture-prone issues in the long run.
- Prior Preparation
To be honest, no primer, no matter how well-acclaimed, will serve you perfectly if you don’t invest enough time, effort, and money in the prior steps and preparation.
The main goal is to start the priming process after thoroughly cleaning the project surface. It needs to be dust-free, so sanding and cleaning should rectify that. Moreover, even the brushes used in the process can make or break the entire process.
Before painting on the primer, users should research well which brush works best with the type of primer that they’re working with. If the brushes and post preparations are faulty, the results will turn out streaky and underwhelming.
- Primer on Exterior Wood
Keep in mind that exterior wood and surfaces need to be able to take a beating. And they can’t do it alone if the primer doesn’t cooperate.
Thus, to extend the surface and paint’s lifetime, it’s a must to splurge in good quality primer with a strong latex or acrylic base with top-tier UV, weather, stain, and mildew resisting capabilities. If the formulation doesn’t ensure long-term features, skip it altogether.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Fascia boards are generally entirely exposed. Even though sometimes the boards require stripping and sanding to prepare the surface from external damage, a coat of good quality primer is a must for adhesiveness.
To paint the soffit first, apply a layer of paint on the horizontal, top, and sides of the elements. Remember to also paint the rear of the fascia or vertical boards which snip the soffit. Even though the rear sides remain out of sight, they require protection too.
It is possible to paint soffit over the fascia. However, questions arise about its feasibility. If you can abide by the rules of this process, you can get great results.
To prepare soffits for paints, you need to dedicate approximately one to two hours for every twenty-five feet. Ensure that the entire exterior has been prepped properly before the procedure. Preps include cleaning, priming, repairing, and scraping the damaged wood.
Conclusion
The secret is finally out! The right exterior primer for fascia and soffit can firmly stick and restrain the paint layers against external damage. Moreover, with the correct primer, your paint layers will be even, smooth, and have a professional finish.
Now, who doesn’t want that, right?
Since you have extensive knowledge about these four best primers, I’m confident you will find your suitable match. Don’t be afraid to pick up that brush and paint to your heart’s content!