Ask the Pro: KILZ Restoration®

October 27, 2021

Here on The Perfect Finish, we have shared the importance of Primer in a variety of room transformation projects, from changing paint colors to painting kitchen cabinets. In this post, we are taking the conversation to a larger scale, looking at whole home renovations from a Pro’s perspective. We were excited to chat with Dustin Almquist, a contractor in Pennsylvania with experience in both real estate and property investment.

Dustin shares how KILZ Restoration^® Interior Primer is vital to his whole home renovation jobs and why he believes a transformation of a whole house can change the perspective of the entire neighborhood. Read on to learn how he gets the job done right every time.

Tell us about your recent restoration job using KILZ Restoration Primer.

This project was a full house renovation. The last owners had the home for decades, and regular maintenance wasn’t done. It needed new electricity, plumbing, kitchen, bathroom, roof, windows, flooring, and of course primer and paint. The walls were old plaster that had some major cracking. After making extensive repairs, it was important to prep the walls for paint. Since many of the walls had old oil-based paint or paneling, it was important to use a primer that I could trust.

Why did you choose KILZ Restoration^® Primer for this project?

This property is used as a rental. I wanted to ensure that I am getting a long-lasting, durable wall coating. When it is time for a topcoat, I need to know that I won’t have adhesion issues. KILZ Restoration^® Primer gave me the security that a topcoat will apply evenly and have great adhesion. Additionally, the coverage of the old surface was going to need a serious primer. Using a lesser primer would have left me with exposed stains and old wall color bleed through.

• KILZ Restoration^® Interior Primer is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker offering the performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains including heavy water damage, rust, smoke, nicotine, grease, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, pet stains, and more.

What benefits did it bring to the job that another primer might not? 

KILZ’s reputation of quality products is second to none and KILZ Restoration^® Primer is the real deal. The old oil-based paint on the walls had some small cracks and splitting, but it was no match for the Restoration Primer. It is quite thick, so it filled those problem areas, yet still dried evenly and smoothly. 

Where did you use KILZ Restoration^® Primer at the project site?

The whole home! The house contained three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room.

Have there been any other projects when KILZ came to the rescue?

I am currently working on another rental property in the same town. The entire interior needs to be painted. Again, since this house will be used as a rental, I want to trust that the work I do today can last for years to come. I have primed the entire house using an array of KILZ primers.

Would you recommend using KILZ primers for any project?

I have yet to be disappointed in any use of KILZ primers. Each application has provided me with the results I need.

Do you have any other tips for a home restoration project?

Make sure to plan! When you get into restoration, time is money.  It is so tempting to take shortcuts to save yourself time. Many people don’t think about the amount of time in the future they are costing themselves when taking those shortcuts. Take the time to do the work correctly the first time. It will pay dividends tomorrow!

What additional tools would you need to get the job done?

Paint sprayers, pans, rollers, roller covers, brushes, scrapers, extension poles, drop clothes, painters’ tape, buckets, ladders, rags, caulks/sealants, brush cleaner, paint thinner, stir sticks. You name it! It seems like you always run out of something right when you need it.

Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.