In commercial and institutional painting, not all primers are created equal. High-solids primersformulated with a greater proportion of pigment and binderserve as a crucial bridge between substrate and topcoat in demanding environments. For contractors, specifiers, and procurement leads, knowing when and where to deploy high-solids primers is essential to prevent coating failure, save labor costs, and meet warranty requirements.
At Buldix BuildMaterialsDistribution.ai, we supply high-solids primers tailored for masonry, drywall, metal, and previously coated surfaces. These products deliver superior coverage, sealing, and adhesionespecially where substrate variability, porosity, or contamination may impact performance.
What Makes a Primer High Solids?
Paint and primer solids refer to the portion of a product that remains on the surface after drying (everything that isn’t solvent or water). High-solids primers typically contain:
More resin and pigment: Enhancing film build, hide, and adhesion
Less solvent or water: Leading to lower VOC emissions and faster film formation
Higher volume solids (?50%): Compared to standard primers (2540%)
This results in better coverage per gallon, stronger bonding to porous or glossy surfaces, and fewer coats neededespecially on uneven or high-risk substrates.
When to Use High-Solids Primers
On Porous Substrates (e.g., Drywall, CMU, Plaster)
High-solids primers seal absorbent materials to prevent topcoat thirstiness.
Prevents flashing and improves topcoat uniformity on new drywall or textured CMU.
On Previously Painted Surfaces with Variability
Use when patching or repairing old surfaces with mixed gloss, color, or texture.
High-solids primers level sheen and mask transitions between new and aged areas.
When Hiding Strong Color Transitions
Going from dark to light or vice versa? High-solids primers build thicker films with better opacity, reducing the number of topcoats required.
On Rough or Uneven Surfaces
Concrete, stucco, and fiber cement panels benefit from higher fill capacity.
High-solids primers can help fill hairline cracks and minor surface defects.
In LEED or Low-VOC Projects
Many high-solids formulations are waterborne and meet <50 g/L VOC limits.
Reduce the need for multiple coats, aligning with green building timelines and waste reduction goals.
Before Epoxy or Urethane Topcoats
Epoxies and high-performance coatings require strong substrate adhesion.
A high-solids primer provides a chemically bondable surface with uniform porosity.
Performance Benefits of High-Solids Primers
Improved Sealing Power: Seals chalky, dusty, or porous substrates better than thin primers.
Fewer Coats: Increased film build reduces the number of primer layers required, saving time and labor.
Enhanced Topcoat Adhesion: Provides an anchor for waterborne, solvent, or reactive topcoats.
Better Stain Blocking: More solids = stronger barrier against smoke, water, tannin, or ink bleed-through.
Best Substrate Matches
Drywall & Plaster
Use high-solids PVA or acrylic primers to fill minor imperfections and seal paper surfaces evenly.
Masonry & Block
Elastomeric or alkali-resistant high-solids primers stabilize surfaces before elastomeric or acrylic coatings.
Metal (Pre-Primed or Glossy)
Use high-solids bonding primers with rust inhibitors on steel or galvanized metal.
Scuff sand glossy metal or use primers with built-in etching agents.
Previously Painted Walls
Ideal for jobs involving patch repairs, wallpaper removal, or mixed-gloss scenarios.
Levels out topcoat absorption and prevents ghosting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-application: Too thick a film can cause sagging or delayed curefollow manufacturer spread rate specs.
Incorrect roller nap or spray tip: Use the right application method to maintain uniformity; 3/8″ nap for walls, 517+ tips for sprayers.
Skipping sanding: On glossy or sealed substrates, mechanical scuffing improves primer adhesion regardless of solids content.
Underestimating cure time: High-solids primers may require longer dry times due to reduced solvent contentalways check recoat windows.
Product Types to Look For
High-solids acrylic primers for drywall and masonry (?50% solids, <50 g/L VOC)
High-build block fillers for CMU and tilt-up concrete
Bonding primers with high solids for wood, fiberglass, or pre-painted metal
Alkali-resistant sealers with high solids for green concrete (up to pH 13)
Why Buldix for Primer Selection
At Buldix BuildMaterialsDistribution.ai, we stock high-solids primers optimized for commercial interiors, healthcare projects, education facilities, and multi-phase renovations. Our technical team helps contractors and estimators choose the right film build, drying time, and application method for any substrate. Whether you’re transitioning from black to white, sealing fresh drywall in a hotel wing, or preparing tilt-up panels for elastomeric coating, well match the primer to the project.
We also provide VOC data, LEED documentation, and mock-up kits to help you get sign-off from owners, consultants, and AHJs faster.
