Zinsser Bullseye 123 vs Coverstain. Main differences?

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Krome10

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Hi all

Got a 2/3s full tin of Zinsser Bullseye 123 which has seemingly "gone off" and so needs discarding and replacing. It seems to have almost doubled in price since I last got some!

I've read good things about Coverstain and am wondering whether I should get some of that instead. It's cheaper first of all. And also someone told me that it can work as a primer over silicone, which might be handy in the future. I use the primer most for wood, both interior and exterior. Sometimes bare wood and sometimes previously painted.

What are the main differences and pros/cons of the two paints?

Cheers

Max
 
123 is water-based, Coverstain is solvent-based, so fast drying and redcoat times, but only in a well ventilated space. Cover stain is an excellent stain blocker for larger areas (for smaller spot blocking I prefer the shellac-based Zinsser BIN) but think it would be a waste to use cover stain as a general-purpose primer, though I hadn't thought of using it over silicone; could well be handy if it works. Be aware though that solvent-based stain blockers produce a surface that whilst it takes paint well, it generally leads to a longer drying time for the finish coat.

But yes, I like Coverstain - haven't had much success with water-based stain blockers, including 123; they're OK, but I've always had some show-through on heavy staining, whereas solvent based blockers work a treat.

HTH Pete
 
When I made some new windows recently using (by mistake Douglas Fir...never again) I used Farrow and Ball external woodwork primer followed by their external wood paint. Within a couple of weeks, the paint had got yellow stains coming through it and started to peel. I stripped it back to the bare wood again and this time used Coverstain. Brilliant stuff. No yellow stains. I am a huge fan of Zinnser paints.
 
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