Interior and Exterior Primers

If you are looking for paint primer stores on Long Island, Aboff's Paints is a top choice. We have a wide selection of high-quality primers, including industry-leading Benjamin Moore products.

What Does Primer Actually Do?

Paint primer provides a stable surface for paint to adhere to. Using primer reduces the number of paint coats you will need because primer acts as a shield to prevent paint from absorbing into porous surfaces. Primer also helps paint adhere to very glossy surfaces with greater reliability so you can trust that it won't run.

Primer is made with durable properties that protect your paint from wear and tear over the years. It is also ideal for covering up stains and other imperfections to create a smooth finish.

Tips for Choosing the Right Primer for Your Project

The right primer for your project depends on the surface you are painting and the paint you are using. Keep these tips in mind as you make your primer choice: 

1. Choose a tinted primer if you are painting the room a dark color or if the new paint color is significantly different from the old paint color. A tinted primer will blend better, so you will need fewer paint coats.
2. Use an oil-based primer for exterior wood to achieve a smooth finish that fills in the pores without raising the grain. Oil primer also provides a strong barrier to prevent the tannins of woods, such as redwood and cedar, from bleeding through. At Aboff's Paints, we carry Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® Exterior Wood Primer, which is ideal for new or previously coated wood. We also supply Rust-Oleum® Zinsser® High-Hide Cover-Stain® Primer, which blocks stains, prevents tannin bleed and hides dark colors on interior and exterior wood.
3. Latex primers are best for painting unfinished drywall. They provide a smooth texture and sheen between the joint and the wallboard, and they allow water to pass through so that they are less likely to peel. We supply Aboff's First Step Latex Drywall Primer with high-hiding capabilities and professional-grade quality. We also carry Aboff's First Step Latex MP Primer, which is fast-drying, zero-VOC and highly effective on porous and uneven surfaces.
4. Waterborne primers are low-VOC, low-odor and environmentally friendly. They can be easily applied to a variety of surfaces with excellent adhesion. Our selection includes Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer, a premium-quality acrylic primer, and Ultra Spec® 500 Primer, a zero-VOC, quick-drying primer that meets strict environmental standards. We also carry Rust-Oleum® Zinsser® Smart Prime® Primer, which is made with an advanced water-based formula for low-VOC while providing oil-based performance on all surfaces.

Choose Aboff's Paints for All Your Primer Needs

Aboff's Paints has been a leading Long Island paint primer store for more than 90 years. Contractors and homeowners in the region come to us for our exceptional products and service. Shop our selection of primers, paints and supplies online or visit us in-person. Our expert staff will be happy to recommend the best products for your specific needs.