Kilz

KILZ primer gets walls, furniture, and small repairs ready for paint around your home. Sealing a porous surface helps the finish look even; blocking a stain helps keep it from bleeding through the new coat. Choose the primer for the problem underneath.

Masterchem Industries LLC makes KILZ primers and surface coatings. The business began in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1954. KILZ launched in 1974, and Masco bought Masterchem in 2000.

Prepare the surface for repainting

KILZ 1 Standard seals porous interior surfaces such as new drywall so your topcoat looks more uniform.

KILZ 2 All-Purpose is recommended for furniture upcycling, including repainting a wooden chair. Preparation matters here: old grease and loose finish give the new coating a poor foundation. Start with a clean, sound surface, remove loose finish, and dull slick areas before priming.

KILZ 3 Premium is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker for properly prepared interior and exterior surfaces, including drywall, wood, plaster, and masonry.

Block stains and surface odors

For small projects and spot priming on interior surfaces away from recurring mold or mildew, oil-based KILZ Original Interior Aerosol blocks most heavy stains, including water and smoke, and seals pet, smoke, and other unwanted surface odors.

A water stain needs attention at its source before repainting. Fix the leak and let the surface dry before tackling the stain.

Prepare a humid room

For small repairs in humid bathrooms and kitchens, KILZ Mold & Mildew Aerosol requires existing surface mold and mildew to be removed before priming, then protects its primer film against mold and mildew growth.

Cleanup comes first. Deal with the moisture feeding the problem, wash affected areas with mildew remover, rinse with water, and allow the surface to dry before priming.

Product details

Product	Detail	Specification
KILZ 2 All-Purpose	Primer drying in the furniture project	1 hour
KILZ 3 Premium	Product number	1300
KILZ 3 Premium	Base color	White
KILZ 3 Premium	Container sizes	Quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallons

Frequently Asked Questions

Does KILZ paint kill mold?

KILZ Mold & Mildew primer protects its own primer film against mold and mildew growth. You still need to remove existing mold, including black mold, and correct the moisture problem before priming. Painting over mold isn’t a fix.

Is KILZ primer good?

KILZ Original interior aerosol is a good fit for small interior jobs where stains could bleed through fresh paint. Its oil-based formula blocks most heavy stains and seals unwanted surface odors. For an even-looking finish, priming the entire surface can give you a better result than spot priming.

Is KILZ oil-based?

Some formulas are. KILZ Original interior aerosol is oil-based, while KILZ 3 Premium is water-based. Those properties belong to the individual primer, so you need to check the specific product you’re using.

Can KILZ be used as paint?

KILZ primer prepares the surface for paint and needs a finish coat over it. The brand also makes finish paint, including Tribute. For Original interior aerosol, you can apply latex or oil-based paint after 60 minutes, with longer drying needed in cooler or more humid conditions.

How do you use KILZ primer?

For KILZ Original interior aerosol, start with a clean surface free of dust, grease, wax, peeling paint, mold, mildew, and wallpaper paste. Glossy surfaces need thorough scuff sanding so the primer can grip. You also need cross-ventilation through open windows and doors during application and drying.

Does KILZ paint come in colors?

Yes. KILZ Tribute paint includes Flying Dove and Misty Morning. Those are finish-paint colors; the white primer underneath serves a different job.

How do you use KILZ spray?

For KILZ Original interior aerosol, shake the can vigorously for one minute after the mixing ball starts rattling, then shake it often during use. Hold it upright about 12 inches from the surface and move side to side, applying two to three thin coats. Keep the spray moving so you don’t load one spot with primer. Immediately afterward, clear the valve by turning the can upside down and spraying until only clear gas comes out.