Why Kilz3 Premium primer still tacky after over a week of drying?

Hi Brenda, apparently Kilz can take from 11 to 14 days to fully cure.. Perhaps you can set up a fan or two for better air circulation and help with the drying? Personally I would wait a few more days just to be safe before painting.

This sounds unusual for it to take this long and still be tacky. Mineral spirits is petroleum based and may not have been completely removed. If it is tacky it should not be painted over.

Kilz is made by Behr. I would call them and get their advice.

To consult with a KILZ Certified Coatings Professional, call 1-866-PRIMER-1 (U.S.A. only).

I agree with Tom about calling KILZ to see get their opinion.

I would not paint yet!! When you say you lightly sanded, you may not have sanded enough. Kitchen cabinets can get really nasty because the surface can get a greasy film on them. I would start sanding with 180 and work your way up to 220. Also, when you wiped them down with mineral spirits, was it completely dry before applying a primer? Also, always make sure you vacuum and use a tack cloth after sanding. I would stop and do all this again. If you aren't happy with the kilz and the cure time, try Benjamin Moore primer especially if you will be using BM cabinet paint. Lightly lightly steel wool between paint coats. Then Benjamin Moore Advance if you want an awesome pro finish. Good luck! Sorry this is happening...I get so upset to redo work but you will be happier in the end.

My guess is the problem lies in the prep. Cabinets need to be really clean and if any residue is left on them, the paint will not cure. Use a good degreaser to clean them.

I think they may not have been prepped well enough.

Thanks Ann!

Hi Brenda, I did some research and this is normal as KILZ Premium which does stay a little tacky, if this is the case, you are good to go and ready to paint.

As another precaution, run a dehumidifier or a fan to pull the air. Then wipe down with denatured alcohol to see if it is still balling up.

I have never had Kilz stay tacky. Maybe too heavy of a coat and still trying to dry.

Hello. Consider reaching out to the manufacture on your paint can.

Very often when paint product fail to perform particular with certain proprietary products they will replace it free of charge and ship it straight to your home we have found this the case with all Home Depot BEHR products.

We’ve also had primer steel to cover wooden knot stains and again free product was provided to us. Also they’ll help you remediate the situation with the proper instructions

Several ways to contact Kilz:

https://www.kilz.com/contact-us

I have never had Kilz or any primer stay wet that long. It seems to me that the mineral spirits are the problem. You probably did not rinse well enough and the kilz cannot dry because of that. I would call Kilz www.kilz.com or by calling Customer Service at 1-866-977-3711.They may have a solution. Do not paint over damp kilz it will Never dry.

Brenda: Let us know what Kilz says please

Yo Brenda, you get first prize with your answer.

UPDATE: Well I talked to Menards’ paint area and decided to try the Pittsburgh Fast Dry Paint on the back of a door with the slightly tacky Kilz primer (after 13 drying days). Unbelievable and surprisingly, I rolled on one coat, covered well and it dried in 30 minutes like the product states with no tackiness at all. Felt like it was painted days ago. Wahoo! Let’s hope it stays durable as it states. Fingers crossed that spraying it on goes well. Thanks everyone for all the tips, suggestions and encouragement. Soooo much appreciated!

Well done Brenda, looks like you're becoming an expert and Let's hope it lasts as long as you hope, Fingers, legs, arms, eyes and toes crossed it does.

Good luck

Mike

I need help or encouragement. I primed two new wooden unpainted windows in Atlanta and they were tacky for five days. I finally rubbed them down with sandpaper and the wood is no longer tacky...BUT..there is what looks like a small piece of plastic trim that holds the window glass in. It’s been 8 days and those strips are still tacky.. the building supplier told me to prime those and I did. I’ve tried everything and the are still tacky. Used Kilz 2 primer from HD.

it has been hot and humid. I painted them in my garage. It’s the plastic trim that replaces caulking that is tacky. Not wet. Would love to know what I could use to wipe the tacky off. I am not a novice....but this is a first. ANY advice will be considered

Was the fast dry paint you used oil or water based?