Stix Bonding Primer vs. B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer

What primer should I use?

If you are confused about which primer to use, where to buy it and how primers differ, you are not alone. The primer you need depends on what you are painting. For cabinets, two popular options for us in Kane and McHenry County are Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer, found at JC Licht Benjamin Moore stores, and Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer. Each has its own properties and best uses.

What each primer is made of

Stix is a water based acrylic urethane primer known for sticking to challenging surfaces. It is made to stick to glass. Easy cleanup, low odor.

Zinsser B-I-N is shellac based, using natural shellac dissolved in alcohol. It is known for blocking stains and drying fast, and it will cover almost any stain you have. But it smells. Good ventilation and a respirator are required.

Odor and VOCs

Stix is water based, with minimal odor and low VOCs, which makes it easier to use indoors.

B-I-N's alcohol gives it a stronger odor and higher VOCs. You must have moving air and a mask on when you use it. Check each product's safety data sheet.

Drying time

Stix dries to the touch in about 30 minutes and can be recoated after 3 to 4 hours. Full cure can take up to 7 days. A fan helps it dry faster.

B-I-N dries very fast, often within 15 minutes, and can be recoated in 45 minutes. It dries chemically, so you cannot speed it up, and 15 minutes is fast enough.

Adhesion and surfaces

Stix is made to bond hard to PVC, vinyl, plastic, glass, tile and glossy finishes, inside and out. You still need to clean and scuff or sand the surface for the best bond.

B-I-N sticks to most surfaces and is especially good at sealing porous ones like wood, plaster and drywall, but it is not a true bonding primer. Sand the surface so it has something to grip.

Stain blocking and odor sealing

Stix sticks well, but it is not made for blocking stains or sealing odors.

B-I-N is very effective at blocking stubborn stains like water, nicotine and tannin, and at sealing in smoke and pet odors so they do not bleed through the topcoat.

Temperature and conditions

Stix can be applied as low as 35°F, so it works in many climates and outside.

B-I-N is best applied between 45°F and 85°F. It is mainly recommended indoors, because it is brittle when fully cured.

Cleanup

Stix cleans up with soap and water.

B-I-N needs denatured alcohol, which is more trouble and needs careful handling, plus a respirator. You also have to know where to dispose of the cleaning solution. It cannot go down the drain.

Pros and cons of Stix

Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer.

• Pro: sticks to challenging surfaces without heavy sanding.
• Pro: low odor.
• Pro: works on many surfaces, indoors and out.
• Pro: quick, easy cleanup.
• Pro: easy to sand.
• Pro: builds up in layers, which suits uses like ours, priming oak cabinets and filling the oak grain.
• Con: some users find it slower to dry and cure than other primers.
• Con: it usually costs more than standard primers.

Pros and cons of B-I-N

Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer.

• Pro: dries fast, so you can recoat and finish sooner.
• Pro: seals tough stains and odors so they do not bleed through.
• Pro: thin and self leveling, for a smooth base.
• Con: strong odor, so you need good ventilation.
• Con: cleanup needs denatured alcohol.
• Con: brittle once cured, so it suits surfaces that do not flex or move.

When to use each

Stix is best for hard to coat surfaces like tile, glass or plastic, especially when low odor or exterior use matters.

B-I-N is best indoors when you need to block stains and seal odors, such as over water stains, smoke damage or tannin bleed in wood.

A St. Charles kitchen that needed shellac

A few years ago we painted oak cabinets in St. Charles that looked and worked great, a perfect candidate for painting. But they were extremely dirty, soaked with cooking oil and curry.

Normally a scuff pad and Dawn dish soap does it. On this job we used TSP, tri-sodium phosphate, still had to use Dirtex, and then wiped everything down with denatured alcohol.

Once they were clean, the oil stains and the orange from the curry were still there, and at some point there had been a smoker in the house. We tried an oil primer, but the oil, smoke and curry were too much for it. So shellac it was, B-I-N. It was not a fun week for the D'Franco team.

What we learned

Stix and B-I-N are both high quality products made for different needs. Let the surface, the conditions, and whether you need stain blocking or low odor guide your choice. Always ventilate and follow the safety guidelines.