The best primer spray paint to prepare surfaces for a smooth finish

Primer spray paints are essential for covering old coats of paint, darker shades, or peeling surfaces. Essential in furniture restoration shops and artisan boutiques, these handy top coats make paint application smoother for a more refined final look. To help you find the right primer spray paint for your tool kit, we’ve searched far and wide for the best brands and revealed our discoveries on this list.

Whenever you’re replacing a darker paint with a lighter one, it’s necessary to use a primer. Moreover, you’ll need a primer if the previous paint is latex-based and the new one is water-based, and vice versa. A primer spray paint usually dries quickly in a flat finish, making it compatible with most top coats.

A convenient spray application helps you work more quickly while covering a large surface. Many primer spray paints come in 12-ounce cans or smaller, which is ideal for furniture, home-accent goods, and similar-sized items. Take a look at our picks to see which works for you.

Rust-Oleum American Accents White Primer

Best White Primer

The Rust-Oleum spray paint is the best white primer that comes in a 12-ounce can to cover up to 12 square feet of surface. It’s compatible with a variety of surfaces including wood, metal, woven rattan, plasters, ceramic, and plastics that are used both indoors and outdoors. Wait 20 minutes for the surface to dry before you can apply the final coat.

Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer

Best Quick Dry

Krylon’s ColorMaster paint and primer is the best quick-dry option for craftsmen working on a tight schedule. Surfaces dry within 10 minutes, and a special formulation ensures that your top coat retains its true color. This 12-ounce paint can is ideal for bumpy surfaces that need smoothing out.

VHT Engine Enamel Primer

Best Heat Resistant

VHT’s 11-ounce gray primer spray paint is the best heat-resistant option for surfaces subject to extreme temperatures. When used correctly, it can endure temperatures of up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit (288 Celsius). It also resists corrosion, rusting, alkaline conditions, and other chemicals for a variety of uses like marine vehicles and automobile engines. Note that this is best used with a clear top coat.

Primer spray paints save you time and money by making your top coat stick the first time. Specially engineered paints also feature two-in-one primer and paint formulas and heat-resistant qualities that work on a wide range of surfaces like metal, natural wicker, and plastic. With any of the primer spray paints on our list, you’ll find that your painting technique will improve noticeably.