Paint and primer by surface

Paint finderPick what you’re painting and see the primer to use first, then the primers and paints whose makers list that surface, with their dry and recoat times. PlasticPainting plastic: the primers and spray paints whose makers name plastic, what each says about polyethylene and polypropylene, prep, coats and cure. Bare metalPainting bare steel and iron: which metal primer each maker names for clean, lightly rusted or heavily rusted metal, prep, recoat windows and safety lines. Galvanized metalPainting galvanized metal: why makers say alkyd and oil paint peel off zinc, the primers that name galvanized, the paints that rule it out, and new vs weathered prep. AluminumPainting aluminum: self-etching primers, aluminum primers and bonding primers whose makers name aluminum, prep, dry times, and the metal primer that rules it out. Stainless steelPainting stainless steel: the few primers whose makers name stainless, what each says about where and how long, and why we'd test a patch first. GlassPainting glass: frosted, mirror and stained-glass sprays, FolkArt's bake-cured glass paint, the primers and paints that name glass, and Sherwin-Williams' shatter caution. RubberPainting rubber: no paint maker we read lists rubber as a surface, one rules it out, and rubber coatings like Plasti Dip are their own system. What each maker says. 3D printsPainting 3D prints: Smooth-On XTC-3D is the one maker we read that names PLA, ABS and PETG. The spray paint makers we read don't, so plastic primers are a test-first job. Vinyl sidingPainting vinyl siding: why paint makers say no darker than the original color, their vinyl-safe palettes, when primer is needed, and what siding warranties say. TilePainting tile: where Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and Rust-Oleum say not to, tub and tile coatings, bonding primers, sanding, and how long before water. Laminate and IKEAPainting laminate and melamine furniture: the bonding primers and paints whose makers name laminate, what each says about sanding, and how long until full adhesion. CabinetsPainting kitchen and bathroom cabinets: what Rust-Oleum, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and Zinsser say for wood, laminate and glossy doors, and each system’s cure time. Pressure-treated woodPainting or staining pressure-treated wood: how long each maker says to wait, from 6 months to none for kiln-dried lumber, the water splash test, and which primers name it. Over stain and varnishPainting over stained or varnished wood: the primers that name it, sanding and deglossing, and what Varathane and Minwax say about staining over an existing finish. Over wallpaperCan you paint over wallpaper? Benjamin Moore says no, Sherwin-Williams says yes and no on two FAQs, and Zinsser makes primers for paper that can’t come off. Concrete and brickPainting concrete and brick: how long each maker says new concrete must cure, the plastic-sheet moisture test, removing efflorescence, and floor and waterproofer limits.

General guidance from manufacturer and standards data. Products vary, so check the label and the maker's instructions.