Zinsser - Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 vs. B-I-N?

dpm_dpmartin · 14 Feb 2016

Good morning,

I want to paint some brass door knobs silver - so I thought I would put on some reputed primer first (after that I'll try silver spray paint).

Someone recommended Zinsser Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 and I'm happy to go out and buy a tin.

I do already have 80% of a tin of Zinsser B-I-N and when I look at the Zinsser website they both say much the same thing on the tin...

Primer.
Interior & [Spot - is on the B-I-N tin] Exterior.
Primer, Sealer, Stain Killer.

So I'm wondering whether I can happily use that B-I-N rather than going to buy some 1-2-3? Is there a more obvious difference in these products that I'm kinda missing? Is 1-2-3 water based and B-I-N... not? Should I be bovvered (actually I obviously am)?

The door knobs are interior ones.

http://www.zinsseruk.com/product-category/primers/

Would love to get some guidance from the experts... or even just those willing to share an opinion.

footprints · 14 Feb 2016

Zinsser may work, it is good, but Brass alli and copper can be difficult. I would go with special metals primer myself.

http://www.hammerite.co.uk/guide/special_metals_primer.jsp

dpm_dpmartin · 15 Feb 2016

OK, thanks, at least that doesn't seem overly expensive stuff.

I'm still unsure about the difference between Zinsser B-I-N and 1-2-3... and I am thinking that an attempt on one door knob with the B-I-N might be a sensible thing for me to try.

footprints · 15 Feb 2016

BIN is solvent (methylated spirit) based, 123 is water based both are good stain blockers but BIN is better for resin (knots etc) only for spot priming when used outside (no idea why I painted a whole stack pipe in it no problem) while 123 is for large areas. 123 seems better on plaster surfaces in my view. Both good and more or less interchangeable but using methylated spirit to clean brushes or rollers is pretty pricey!

Got to say, long term painting a door knob will fail in time, it will wear off and be scratched by fingernails rings etc. My door night latch is painted black and needs repainting because of wear every couple of years, but I'm happy to live with it.

dpm_dpmartin · 15 Feb 2016

Yeah, I understand that... I ideally wanted levers on rose to replace them, but the holes that were created for these knobs are about 55mm in diameter - most levers on rose don't have a large enough diameter rose, so I'm considering re-purposing the 8 knobs I have. Failing all this, it'll be new knobs, I suppose... but that's not what I wanted.

misterhelpful · 15 Feb 2016

I'm with footprints on this. Unless thoroughly prepared with etching primer and painted with an enamel of some kind, you can expect the knobs to chip in time.
B-I-N would be my preference of the two Zinsser primers you mention, which is actually shellac based but is cleaned up with meths, as it dries harder and achieves full adhesion much quicker. I always assumed it was only suitable for exterior spot priming because of how quickly it dries, which would make it impractical to use on large areas outside, but I'm probably wrong and it may be because it is more susceptible to the elements.

dpm_dpmartin · 15 Feb 2016

I've got B-I-N already and I've used it internally to good effect.

Not on door knobs, admittedly.

dpm_dpmartin · 15 Feb 2016

If I'm sanding brass, then doing a primer (B-I-N) on the bottom... then a silver spray paint over that... is there a clear product that I can put on top of that to harden it up?

Like our lass does with her nails, I think?

misterhelpful · 15 Feb 2016

You could try a clear spray lacquer, like the ones used on cars. Halfords used to do one that was for metallic paints but unsure if it's still available.

Edit:
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/pa...ray-paints/halfords-clear-lacquer-spray-300ml

Chri5 · 15 Feb 2016

Go automotive, prepare and paint as are car spray shop would.

Special metal primer, colour coat and lacquer top coats. (It will be cheaper to replace them all- eBay is quite helpful).

dpm_dpmartin · 19 Feb 2016

I tried the Zinsser B-I-N primer on one door knob, with a brush (maybe my mistake), and it didn't look very good.

footprints · 19 Feb 2016

BIN also comes in a spray can if you want a brushless finish.

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Zinsser - Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 vs. B-I-N?

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