Water Vs. Oil Primer for Furniture

Surfaces for Oil-Based Primer

• Oil-based primer works well on unfinished wood furniture. Some woods, such as cedar and redwood, bleed through water-based latex primer but do not bleed through oil-based primer. Oil-based primers generally work best to seal woods that bleed, because the extractives that leak from wood are water-based.

Surfaces for Water-Based Primer

• Water-based latex primer works better on sheetrock than oil-based primer. Water-based primer can cause unfinished wood to swell, so use it only on wood if its label indicates it will not cause swelling. Otherwise, the surface of the wood can become rough as the primer soaks in. Additionally, water-based primers can allow woods to bleed sap through the primer. Use stain-blocking water-based primer only on woods that bleed. Use a special metal primer over metal furniture.

Oil-Based Primer and Paint Properties

• Oil-based primers and paints have stronger fumes than water-based primers and paints. They are also more difficult to clean up, requiring a solvent to help with spills. An advantage of oil-based primer is that it will not cause metal furniture to rust. Oil-based paints should work well over oil-based primers, while water-based paints sometimes do not work over oil-based primers. Always check to make sure the primer you choose works on the given type of surface and with the type of paint you want to use.

Water-Based Latex Primer and Paint Properties

• Water-based latex primers and paints have less harsh fumes than oil-based and they are also easier to clean up. Latex primers and paints are more flexible than oil-based ones, making them less likely to crack and peel if the furniture expands or shrinks due to temperature changes. One drawback to water-based primers is that they can encourage rust in metal furniture.