As a Decorator, I’ve been using the HB42 PS2 Primer on a couple of recent jobs, so I thought I’d sit down and write a quick review on it.
HB42 PS2 is an adhesion primer, capable of being used inside or outside. Only available in white, touch dry in 30 minutes, and recoat in roughly an hour (depending on conditions). You can use this primer on lime plaster, all wood (including cedar & redwood), brick, concrete, steel, oil-based gloss paint, glass, tar, bitumen, asphalt & more.
It also has some stain blocking capabilities, contains rust inhibitors and has anti-mould biocide. This makes HB42 PS2 a very versatile product.
My HB42 PS2 Primer Review
HB42 products tend to be good quality, but not necessarily the cheapest. Their caulk was recently voted the best on the market, and their PS1 Primer, which is shellac-based, has superior opacity and is easier to use than comparable products.
Their PS2 Primer is a water-based adhesion primer and seems to have gone under the radar a little bit. You can buy it from TopDec Decorating Supplies, or direct by clicking here. Over the past year, the market seems to have been flooded with adhesion primers, which might be why this one hasn’t had the impact it deserves.
Ease of application is brilliant, which may sound like an open goal, but water-based paints with a recoat time of 1 hour tend to put up a fight. It can be difficult to keep a wet edge, but this isn’t the case with PS2.
The other thing that stands out is the opacity, which is fantastic!! You can basically achieve a colour change in 1 coat! You’d never be able to do that with an oil-based primer.
Adhesion is spot on too. HB42 PS2 is a very versatile primer. You can use it on basically anything, from old oil-based paint (which makes it the perfect undercoat when using water-based gloss or satinwood), to metal, and just about everything in between.
There are better stain blocks on the market. Not that PS2 isn’t capable. You might just need to apply two coats to really block something out (this is true of most water-based stain blocks).
Review summary
HB42 PS2 Primer Review – by Mike Gregory - Decorator's forum UK
A water-based adhesion primer and stain block in one, that can be used anywhere.
Product Brand: HB42
4.8
Pros
- Great opacity.
- Easy to apply.
- Good adhesion.
- Quick drying.
- Easy clean up.
- Can be used inside or out.
- Versatile.
Cons
- Not widely available.
Water-Based Vs Oil-Based Paint Primers
I know I’ve already given you my HB42 PS2 Primer review, but I wanted to add a little section on water-based Vs oil-based paint primers in general. The industry seems to be moving away from oil-based paints. That’s across the board, from gloss and satin to stain blocks.
Water-based primers like HB42 PS2 Primer are easier to use, quicker to apply, and better for the environment. Not only that, but they’re more suitable for bare surfaces like wood, and they can grip better to certain things, such as uPVC. As you can tell from this review, the opacity of water-based primers is improving too.
Saying that, oil-based primers still have their place. For example, I have never used a water-based primer that performs well as a stain block. Well, that might be a bit harsh, but they definitely don’t perform as well as oil-based. This can be a problem when priming kitchen units because of grease, or exterior wood because water stains can bleed through over time.
I suppose it’s just about choosing the correct primer for the job. HB42 PS2 Primer is a great water-based paint that performs well in different situations.
Final Thoughts
All being said, HB42 PS2 Primer is a great paint product. It isn’t even expensive; a 5L tin will set you back around £80, which is comparable to Zinsser bullseye. It’s a shame more Decorators aren’t using it.
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