I am wondering what some of the painting pros here think about leaving Kilz primer, specifically the "premium acrylic" product, as a top coat?

My wife is due in 3 weeks with a boy and I'm creating a sports-style nursery. I've painted some large graphics (sports jerseys) on the blue walls. The base of the jersey is white with colored acrylic paints creating the numbers, logos, etc.

Everything is really turning out nice ... but today it hit me like a brick in the head -- the white is not a common white acrylic paint, but kilz premium acrylic primer.

What effect will it have when I'm finished if I didn't cover the kilz and just left the primer as my white? Is the premium stuff going to yellow over time? Any help would be appreciated -- I really do not want to half to go back over all the white with, well, white.

???

 

It is never advisable to use any primer for a top coat. It is not formulated for wear. Oil base enamels tend to yellow over time [some brands worse than others] but you used latex so I doubt it will yellow. Since repainting the white on your walls is no easy task, and being inside and only certain areas it might be ok. I would consider coating the wall with a satin latex polyurathane. It shouldn't change the color and will give the graphics more durability and washability.

 

Thanks for your response..! Yes, I definitely need some durability in the kids room. :> I was planning on putting a coat of Minwax Polucrylic finish (http://www.minwax.com/products/prote...polycrylic.cfm) on top of it. I've used this on other projects with acrylic paints and it has turned out great. Do you think using this Minwax product is fine or would you suggest something else?

 

sounds great.... the only other brand that i've seen that puts out a better acrylic clear coat is a company called modern masters(link) . The stuff is super expensive, but lays out like none other and dries as hard as oil.

good luck.

-noleguy

 

Excellent -- Thanks a bunch for the help, guys!