Best Acrylic Based Primer Paint of 2025

Howard Chester Avatar
Howard Chester
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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Acrylic based primer paint is a type of paint that is commonly used as an undercoat for walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. It is a water-based paint that is easy to apply and dries quickly. Acrylic based primer paint is known for its durability and adhesion, making it a popular choice for both interior and exterior surfaces. It can be used on a variety of surfaces such as drywall, wood, metal, and concrete. This type of paint is also resistant to mildew and can help to prevent stains from bleeding through the topcoat. Overall, acrylic based primer paint is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and long-lasting paint option.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer Cover #TOP 1
INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Quart Latex Flat Gray Primer Cover #TOP 2
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Quart Latex Flat Gray Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.7
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint Cover #TOP 3
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 5 Acrylic Based Primer Paint

#TOP 1

INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer

AQ040009A-04
White
INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer Cover
INSL-X AQ040009A-04 Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer, 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1), White

INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus Primer is a multipurpose, 100% acrylic sealer primer that offers excellent adhesion to a wide range of interior and exterior surfaces. It serves as a superior base coat for both latex and oil-based finish coatings, providing superior sealing and coverage qualities. With its excellent stain blocking properties, it ensures a clean and even surface for your paint job. This primer dries quickly, becoming tack-free in just 30 minutes, allowing you to apply a topcoat in as little as 1 hour. Additionally, it has a low VOC content, making it environmentally friendly. With coverage of 75-100 square feet per quart, this primer is a reliable choice for any painting project. Get your surfaces ready for a flawless finish with INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus Primer.

What We Like
Excellent adhesion
Superior sealing and coverage
Quick drying
#TOP 2

Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Quart Latex Flat Gray Primer

1980502
Flat Gray Primer
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Quart Latex Flat Gray Primer Cover
Rust-Oleum Brush On Acrylic Paint 1980502 Painters Touch Quart Latex, Flat Gray Primer, 1 (Pack of 1), 32 Fl Oz

Rust-Oleum Gray Primer is a water-based acrylic formula that is perfect for a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces such as wood, metal, plaster, masonry, or unglazed ceramic. Its low odor and chip-resistant properties provide long-lasting protection. With a coverage of up to 120 sq ft, it dries to touch in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick project completion. The flat finish minimizes surface imperfections and goes on smoothly, providing an excellent base. Before applying, make sure to sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper and wash with a degreaser. Rust-Oleum Gray Primer is perfect for those looking for a fast-drying, indoor/outdoor durable primer that increases adhesion and durability of the finish coat.

What We Like
Fast-drying
Indoor/Outdoor durability
Covers up to 120 sq ft
#TOP 3

The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint

222998
Pixie Pink
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint Cover
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint - Acrylic Spray Undercoat for Miniature Painting - Spray Primer for Plastic Miniatures (Pixie Pink)

The Army Painter Primer Spray is a versatile acrylic undercoat that perfectly matches Warpaints colors, enhancing your miniature painting experience. Simplify your painting process and save time and money with this dual-purpose primer and color spray paint. The fast-drying, acrylic-based formula ensures efficient coverage on any surface, while tailored pigmentation makes it suitable for various paint jobs. Unleash your creativity and seamlessly finish your models with this all-in-one primer spray.

What We Like
Color matching
Time and cost-saving
Efficient coverage
#TOP 4

Benjamin Moore White Insl-x Prime Flat Water-Based Acrylic Latex Primer 1 qt

Benjamin Moore
AP1000099-04
WHITE
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Benjamin Moore White Insl-x Prime Flat Water-Based Acrylic Latex Primer 1 qt Cover
Benjamin Moore Insl-x Prime All White Flat Water-Based Acrylic Latex Primer 1 qt. - Case of: 1

The Benjamin Moore White Insl-x Prime Flat Water-Based Acrylic Latex Primer 1 qt is a high-quality and versatile product that can be used on multiple surfaces. The water-based acrylic latex primer is highly effective in blocking stains and has a low odor. The flat sheen finish gives surfaces a matte look, making it a great choice for a variety of indoor and outdoor projects. The primer is also easy to clean up with soap and water, making it a convenient and low-maintenance option. With a coverage area of 400 sq. ft., this primer is a great value for its size and effectiveness.

What We Like
Effective in blocking stains
Low odor
Flat sheen finish for a matte look
Easy to clean up with soap and water
Large coverage area of 400 sq. ft.
#TOP 5

The Army Painter Necrotic Flesh Primer

CP3013
Necrotic Flesh
The Army Painter Necrotic Flesh Primer Cover
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint, Necrotic Flesh, 400ml, 13.5oz - Acrylic Spray Undercoat for Miniature Painting - Spray Primer for Plastic Miniatures

The Army Painter Primer is designed to save you time and effort while ensuring your miniatures look great. This unique spray paint matches perfectly with the Warpaints line, allowing you to achieve consistent color across your models. You won’t need multiple spray paints, as this product serves both as a primer and a highly pigmented color spray. Its fast-drying acrylic formula offers excellent coverage, giving you a smooth finish on any surface. With this primer, you can quickly get your army ready for gaming without sacrificing quality.

What We Like
Time-saving convenience
Perfect color match
Dual-purpose functionality
Fast-drying formula
Buying Guide Image

Learn More About Purchasing the Acrylic Based Primer Paint

Introduction

Acrylic-based primer paints are an essential first step in any painting project, as they provide a strong and even base for your chosen paint color to adhere to. Choosing the right primer can be a daunting task, as there are many options on the market with varying qualities and uses. In this article, we will provide some tips on how to select the best acrylic-based primer paint for your project.

Consider the Surface

One of the first things to consider when choosing an acrylic-based primer paint is the surface you will be painting. Different surfaces have different porosity levels, which can affect how well the primer adheres and how well it seals the surface. For example, wood surfaces are generally more porous than metal or plastic surfaces, so they may require a thicker, more adhesive primer.

Consider the Paint Color

Another factor to consider when selecting an acrylic-based primer paint is the color of the paint you will be using. If you are using a light-colored paint, a white or light-gray primer is usually sufficient. However, if you are using a dark-colored paint, a dark-colored primer may be necessary to prevent the final color from appearing dull or uneven.

Look for High-Quality Ingredients

When shopping for acrylic-based primer paints, it is important to look for products made with high-quality ingredients. Inferior primer paints may contain fillers or additives that can affect the final appearance of your paint job. High-quality primer paints, on the other hand, will provide a strong and even base for your paint, ensuring that your finished project looks its best.

Choose the Right Finish

Acrylic-based primer paints are available in a range of finishes, from glossy to matte. The finish you choose should depend on the type of paint you will be using and the desired final look of your project. For example, if you are using a glossy paint, a glossy primer will provide a smooth, reflective surface. If you are using a matte paint, a matte primer will create a more subdued, velvety finish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right acrylic-based primer paint is an important first step in any painting project. By considering the surface, the paint color, the quality of the ingredients, and the desired finish, you can ensure that your project will turn out beautifully and last for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is acrylic primer better than latex?

Acrylic primer and latex primer have different advantages depending on the project. Latex paint is more affordable and suitable for interior projects, while acrylic paint is more durable and recommended for exterior projects. Acrylic paint is also resistant to mildew and water, making it a good choice for bathrooms. On the other hand, latex paint is easier to apply and works well for large surface areas.

2. Where do you use acrylic primer?

Acrylic primer is commonly used on porous and difficult substrates before tiling or screeding. It can also be used to seal gypsum plasters or screeds before adding cement-based adhesives. Acrylic primer can be applied directly to seal substrates or diluted with water for general priming purposes.

3. What happens if you don't use acrylic primer?

When applying acrylic nails, using a primer is essential. Primers create a sticky surface that improves the adhesion of the acrylic to the natural nails. Without an acrylic primer, the acrylic may not adhere properly to the nail plate, leading to weak spots or lifting.

4. Should I use latex or water-based primer?

If you want to reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and plan to use water-based or latex paint, it is recommended to use water-based primer. Water-based primer is easy to clean up as it doesn't require special mineral spirits or paint thinner. Simply wash the brushes with water, and you're ready for another day of painting!

5. What is acrylic latex primer used for?

Acrylic latex primer is used to prepare most exterior surfaces for finish coats. It helps neutralize tannin and sugar bleed stains from woods, rust from nail heads, and water-soluble stains from concrete and masonry. This primer provides maximum breathability, adhesion, and holdout to extend the life of the finish.

6. What is acrylic primer paint used for?

Acrylic primer paint is ideal for interior priming of softwoods, hardwoods, and hardboards. It can also be used as an undercoat for gloss finishes. This fast-drying product, based on acrylic resins, can be thinned with water and provides a non-yellowing finish with minimal odor.

Editor's Notes

During our acrylic based primer paint research, we found 24 acrylic based primer paint products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 292,117 customer reviews through our big data system to write the acrylic based primer paint list. We found that most customers choose acrylic based primer paint with an average price of $16.63.

The acrylic based primer paint are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of acrylic based primer paint, including INSL-X, Rust-Oleum, The Army Painter, Benjamin Moore. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Howard Chester Avatar

Howard Chester is an architect from New York who holds a master's degree in architectural design, his passions for interior design and home improvement contribute to his extensive knowledge of all things furniture and home goods. Howard Chester Specializes in various architectural and interior design projects. He often publishes articles related to decoration on key websites and interior design magazines.