Asked on Mar 29, 2018

Kitchen tile backsplash. Should I use oil based primer or water based

Dbr30385450
by Dbr30385450
  14 answers
  • William William on Mar 29, 2018

    Use a tile paint kit. Rustoleum or Homax. Has everything you need.

  • I don't think it matters as long as the drywall is sealed. Water based is easier to clean up and dries faster. it will all be covered anyway.

  • Lorrainemstack Lorrainemstack on Mar 29, 2018

    I would use water base

  • Dee Dee on Mar 29, 2018

    Stay away from oil based. Water based is mush easier to work with.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Mar 29, 2018

    The drywall needs to be sealed against water, mold and mildew. Then paint in any good paint. Chalk paint has some texture, so small tiles (1”sq) might have a problem. Sheets of tiles or larger tiles may stay more securely because there is a surface to hold onto. Your water-resistant grout will do more sealing, then the trimming caulk. I would use water-resistant, dirt resistant, grease resistant paint—in other words, plastic! Best wishes ☺️

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Aug 26, 2022

    Hi there, my preference would be a water-based primer. I've never had much luck with the oil-based ones.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 06, 2022

    Are you wanting to tile over the splashback or paint it ?

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 07, 2022

    The biggest advantage of oil based primer is better at sealing in stains.

  • MarianM MarianM on Dec 08, 2022

    I am also a supporter of water based. I removed a few stains on my shirt that I bought on the last sale with it easily.


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 08, 2022

    Another vote for water based.

  • Janice Janice on Dec 11, 2023

    I'd go with wter-based paint.

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 20, 2023

    Oil based primer is usually used outdoors.

    Use water-based primer when you want to reduce the amount of VOCs and when you plan to use water-based or latex paint on top.

    Water-based primer is easy to clean up. You don't need any special mineral spirits or paint thinner - wash the brushes in water and you're ready for another day of painting!

    If you're in a hurry, water-based primer is fast drying. Once the water in the product evaporates, the primer is dry. This means you can probably begin painting your first coat of latex paint on the same day.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 09, 2024

    Hello, hope this helps you out.

    Water based should work just perfectly for this application