The Best Primers to Stop Tannin Bleed

One of the biggest challenges when painting furniture is tannin bleedthrough, and the best way to avoid this problem is to use a quality primer. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best primers to stop tannin bleed through.

These dark stains appear on the surface of your paint due to the wood’s natural color seeping through, and it’s better to prevent them first. Let’s look into these primers and how they are one of the furniture painting tools and supplies you definitely need when painting furniture.

If you’ve been doing any painting projects lately with waterbased paints, chances are you’ve heard of tannin bleed through. But what is it exactly, and how can you stop it?

Tannin bleed through is a common issue when painting wood, especially if the wood is untreated or unfinished, and if you’re using waterbased products. Bleed through occurs when certain tannins in the wood leach through the paint coating and cause discoloration or stains.

Fortunately, there are several primers available that can help prevent this from happening. And a lot of these are on our list of the best primers for painting furniture. Let’s take a look at some of the best tannin blocking primer options!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

BIN Shellac Based Primer

BIN shellac-based primer is one of the most effective primers for preventing tannin bleed. It comes in both water-based and shellac-based formulas, but the shellac-based formula is what you need to block tannin bleed.

BIN primer also provides excellent adhesion for latex and oil based paints and has superior stain blocking power as well. It works well on both interior and exterior surfaces such as wood, drywall, metal, and masonry. Its fast drying formula makes it ideal for any project that requires speed.

This primer also seals knots, sap streaks, and other common surface issues that plague DIY projects. Here’s our best knot blocking primer post to learn more about the types of primer that specifically tackle wood knots, including BIN shellac.

But since it’s shellac-based, it comes with fumes. So work in a well ventilated area, and wear a respirator when using it.

It’s very thin, so it’s easiest to use a paint roller to roll it on or use a spray can to spray it on. Here are the best rollers for painting furniture… yes, the roller matters if you care about how your finish looks. Have a cheap paint brush on hand to get into tight areas that a roller can’t get into.

For maximum stain blocking ability, I like to apply 2 coats and let it dry overnight before painting over it.

One thing I LOVE about it is that BIN shellac sands easily into a fine powder once it has dried for about 45 minutes. So, if you do get runs or drips in your primer, they are easy to sand out.

Warning: Shellac has a very low flash point, meaning that it can combust at lower temperatures. So, if you’re thinking of spraying it with a paint sprayer, you might need to reconsider. Check your sprayer’s manufacturer warnings to see if you can use shellac products in your sprayer. Most beginner friendly HVLP paint sprayers do not recommend using shellac with the sprayers.

If you need to clean the BIN shellac based primer from the roller, paint brush, or anything else, use a solution of 1 part ammonia mixed with 3 parts water, immediately after you’re done painting. Beware, ammonia has a very strong smell as well. Here’s a detailed guide on how to clean shellac primer out of sprayer.

Furniture Makeovers Using BIN Shellac Based Primer

• Repainting Furniture
• Painted Hallway Cabinet Makeover
• Painting Furniture White
• Painted Armoire

Where to Buy BIN Shellac Based Primer

• Home Depot – Order BIN shellac-based primer online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship BIN shellac-based primer to home
• Walmart – Ship BIN shellac-based primer to home
• Ace Hardware – Order BIN shellac-based primer online and pickup or ship to home

Clear Shellac

Clear shellac is another great choice when it comes to priming surfaces for tannin bleed protection. It’s easy to use and dries quickly—you can even re-coat 1 hour after applying your first coat! For maximum stain blocking ability, I like to apply 2 coats, and let it dry overnight before painting over it.

This fast-drying sealer not only stops the discoloration caused by tannins but also prevents other types of stains, such as watermarks, smoke damage, and more, from showing through the paint job.

Clear shellac can be used as a stand-alone sealer or as a base coat before applying paint or varnish.

If you’re worried about how well paint sticks to clear shellac, and if it can provide better adhesion, check out this post on how to paint laminate furniture without sanding.

Just like BIN shellac based primer, clear shellac has a strong odor and should be used in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, it’s flammable and must be kept away from open flames or sparks.

I personally prefer to spray shellac on with the spray can version. It’s the easiest and fastest way to apply it. But it’s also the stinkiest way. Be sure to wear a respirator and spray it outside. Check out our best spray paint primer for wood and best spray primer for wood posts if you want to explore other spray paint primer options!

You can also use the regular quart size brushable version. Apply it with a cheap paint brush or roll it on with a paint roller. It’s very thin, though, and it dries super fast, so brushing without leaving brush marks is difficult.

To clean up the roller or brush afterward, use 3 parts water mixed with 1 part ammonia. Acetone or denatured alcohol works, too.

Furniture Makeovers Using Clear Shellac

• Stenciling Furniture
• Painting Furniture with Latex Paint
• Painting Furniture Navy Blue

Where to Buy Clear Shellac

• Home Depot – Order clear shellac online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship clear shellac to home
• Walmart – Ship clear shellac to home
• Ace Hardware – Order clear shellac online and pickup or ship to home

Cover Stain Oil Based Primer

The Cover Stain oil-based primer is another great option for stopping tannin bleed on wood surfaces. It provides excellent adhesion for both latex and oil-based paints as well as blocks tannin stains – all without cracking or peeling over time!

Plus, this primer helps seal out moisture, which makes it perfect for outdoor projects where weather elements can be an issue.

Unfortunately, oil based products take extra time to dry completely. You can paint over Cover Stain after only an hour. But just know that you can’t sand the primer back without gumming up your sandpaper with only a few swipes. So, it’s best to give the primer at least 24 hours to cure if you need to sand it at all.

Cover Stain can be applied with a paint brush, a paint roller, spray can, or even a paint sprayer. Just like the others, Cover Stain oil based primer has a strong smell, so wear a respirator and work in a well-ventilated area. Work outside if spraying!

And you can clean up your tools with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Check out my in-depth Zinsser Cover Stain Primer review here to learn more about this product. Here’s a comparison post of Cover Stain VS BIN Shellac Primer if you’re torn between these 2 primers.

Where to Buy Cover Stain Oil Based Primer

• Home Depot – Order Cover Stain oil based primer online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship Cover Stain oil based primer to home
• Walmart – Ship Cover Stain oil based primer to home
• Ace Hardware – Order Cover Stain oil based primer online and Pickup or ship to home

Kilz Original Oil Based Primer

Kilz oil based primer is also a good oil based primer for blocking tannin bleed. It is very similar to Cover Stain oil based primer.

Where to Buy Kilz Original Oil Based Primer

• Home Depot – Order Kilz Original oil based primer online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship Kilz Original oil based primer to home
• Walmart – Ship Kilz Original oil-based primer to home
• Ace Hardware – Order Kilz Original oil based primer online and pickup or ship to home

123 Water Based Primer

If you’re looking for a water based primer that will block tannin bleed, Zinsser 123 primer is a great option. It will not block bleed through as easily as the shellac and oil based primers, but if you have time, it can block them just as well.

For best results, apply at least 2 coats of primer and let the primer dry overnight between coats. If you let the primer dry for a few hours between coats, it can start to cure a little bit, which will not help block the tannin bleed.

If you still see bleed stains after the 2nd coat, apply another coat after the primer has dried overnight.

123 primer is THICK. You can apply it with a paint brush or a paint roller. It is way too thick for a paint sprayer, and if you thin it out, it will not adhere well to your surface, even after you scuff sand…. ask me how I know. (Check out this high gloss dresser makeover where I made that mistake.)

You can topcoat 123 primer with oil based or latex paint, an hour after the primer was applied, and it can be used for interior and exterior projects.

It suggests that it can stick to any surface without sanding, but really, it doesn’t. So be sure to scuff sand your surface before using 123 primer. Here’s more about sanding before painting furniture.

You don’t have to deal with harsh fumes, and cleanup is easy with soapy warm water.

Note: The spray can version is actually oil based. So, expect better stain blocking and adhering ability with the spray can version. It also has more fumes haha

Where to Buy Zinsser 123 Primer

• Home Depot – Order Zinsser 123 primer online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship Zinsser 123 primer to home
• Walmart – Ship Zinsser 123 primer to home
• Ace Hardware – Order Zinsser 123 primer online and pickup or ship to home

Kilz Restoration Water Based Primer

Another great waterbased primer option is Kilz Restoration primer. You can expect it to be similar to Zinsser 123 water based primer. Check out this list of best water based primers for more options.

Where to Buy Kilz Restoration Primer

• Home Depot – Order Kilz Restoration primer online and pickup or ship to home
• Amazon – Ship Kilz Restoration primer to home
• Walmart – Ship Kilz Restoration primer to home
• Ace Hardware – Order Kilz Restoration primer online and pickup or ship to home

No matter what type of primer you choose, learn exactly how to stop stains from coming through paint here.

It’s important to take the time and effort to make sure your surface is properly prepped before applying. Here’s more about how to prepare furniture for painting. If you want to learn more about the importance of priming wood for painting, head on over to this post.

How to Choose the Best Primer to Stop Tannin Bleed

When it comes to choosing the best primer to stop tannin bleed, especially from out of this list, it can be overwhelming. So, here are some important things to consider before getting a can or two for your project.

First, consider your timeline. Both oil based and waterbased primers typically need longer drying times between coats. If you’re working on a tight schedule, then shellac based primers are the way to go, as they dry faster.

If you want the maximum effect for stopping tanning bleed, then shellac based primers are the most effective. They have a stronger bonding power compared to waterbased and oil based primers. However, if these primers are more accessible for you, they can also do the job well.

When choosing shellac and oil based primers, keep in mind that they have a strong odor and require proper ventilation while using. Waterbased primers are more user friendly in terms of odor and cleanup.

Whether you need an oil-based or water-based primer, there are many great options available that can help stop tannin bleed on wood surfaces.

We hope this post has given you a better understanding of each product so you can make an informed decision when selecting one for your next project! With proper prep work and careful application, any of the best primers to stop tannin bleed in this list will be sure to give you excellent results.

More Painting Furniture Resources

• Best Bonding Primer for Laminate Furniture
• Best Paint for Wood Furniture
• How to Stop Wood Knots from Bleeding Through Paint
• How to Paint Wood Furniture Without Sanding or Priming
• One Solution For Stain Bleed Through On Painted Dresser

Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!