When working with asbestos siding, there are some essential things that you must make sure of.
One of those things is to use a great primer that will seal the asbestos very well.
Since siding is on the outside of the house, you will need a waterproof type of primer which will be able to hold up in any type of weather.
We have pulled together the five best primers for asbestos siding along with some information to help you choose the perfect one.
Top 5 Best Primers for Asbestos Siding
1. KILZ Klear Multi-Surface Stain Blocking Interior/Exterior Latex Primer/Sealer, Clear, 5 gallon
- This high-performance clear primer is formulated to bond and seal porous and chalky interior and exterior surfaces with a tough, flexible, and breathable clear coating.
- KILZ Klear is an alkali-resistant clear primer and sealer. It helps protect topcoats from "hot" alkali found in masonry, cement and plaster and can be applied to fresh concrete with pH less than 13. KILZ KLEAR dries to touch within 30 minutes and dries to recoat in an hour.
- Incredibly versatile, KILZ Klear primer can be used to seal porous surfaces and promote adhesion with a transparent flat finish that is particularly effective for same color painting.
- Use for sealing drywall, plaster, wood, galvanized, aluminum, architectural plastics, masonry and brick. Soap and water cleanup and dries fast - ready to recoat in 1 hour. Use on properly prepared surfaces free of dust, grease, chalk, rust and peeling paint. Mix well before using. Apply with brush, roller, or spray.Recommended Application Temperature: 50-90
- This is a 5-gallon bucket of KILZ Klear Multi-Surface Latex Transparent Primer, Sealer, and Binder. It creates a tough, flexible clear primer film.
Key Features
- Works both indoors and outdoors
- It can even be used on concrete surfaces
- Dries for recoat in an hour
The KILZ brand is very well known for making high quality paints and primers that do a very good job of sealing surfaces.
The KILZ brand of paint is always resistant to mold, and you will often see it used in bathrooms and areas where paint needs to be able to tolerate the presence of water and humidity.
This a clear high-performance primer, and it is tough and flexible as well.
When dealing with outdoor applications, flexibility is essential.
Since the KILZ does such a great job on porous surfaces, you will find that it is a perfect mix for siding.
The finish is very flat, and you will be able to apply your top coat on top of this primer without noticing that there was any primer installed under it.
This is a five-gallon bucket of primer, which means that you will be able to cover a large area.
When dealing with siding, there will likely be a lot of surface area to cover, and the larger bucket will save you some money.
If you want the KILZ primer to do the best job possible of sealing and preparing for the top coat, you must make sure that the surface is ready for paint.
Do not put this primer on asbestos siding unless the siding is dry.
If you find that you are going to need two coats of primer on your siding, you will not have a long wait period in between coats.
KILZ paint will dry to the touch in about 30 minutes, and then it will be ready for another coat in one hour.
Chances are even you won’t be ready for another coat in an hour!
Overall, this is a product which has been on the market for a very long time and has helped many homeowners with their asbestos siding painting.
We highly recommend the investment into the KILZ primer.
Pros
- Sold in a large 5-gallon bucket
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- The flexible primer will adhere to many surfaces
- Can recoat in one hour’s time
- A long history of this product being top of the line
Cons
- Some of the KILZ paints do cost more money than other paints on the market.
2. Rust-Oleum Corporation 260925 Triple Thick Primer, 1-Quart, White
- Use on peeling or worn interior or exterior surfaces including wood, metal, concrete and more
- Triple-thick formula penetrates and bonds with cracked or peeling surfaces to glue down edges and fill in gaps for a smooth finish
- Dries to the touch in 30 minutes, can be recoated in 2 hours and covers between 12-50 sq. ft. per quart depending on surface porosity
- Creates a smooth, flexible, sealed finish
- Top coat with any alkyd or latex paint
- Water-base primer-sealer
- Interior and exterior
- Seals worn surfaces for a smooth finish
- Outstanding flexibility
- Topcoat with any latex or alkyd paint
Key Features
- Water based primer sealer
- Interior and exterior
- Lots of flexibility
One of the things that you will quickly learn about asbestos siding is that you don’t want to disturb it.
Everyone thinks that asbestos can be very dangerous to work with, and that is indeed the truth.
However, if you are careful not to disturb the asbestos, you will not be in any danger.
The real cause for concern is when the asbestos gets into the air and then it is breathed in.
This is hard for some people to avoid if they are trying to get a clear and smooth finish on the outside of their home.
With this Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Primer, your need for initial prep work is significantly decreased.
With the Triple Thick Primer, you can paint over almost anything.
The primer is so thick that it will fill in areas that need to be filled and lock down areas where the paint is chipping or peeling.
The Triple Thick Primer can be used on both exterior and interior areas, but it will hold up quite well outdoors.
The great thing about this Rust-Oleum product is that it will stop the previous paint from peeling, and it will also seal the asbestos siding without you having to do any of that extra work.
Once this primer is in place, you can easily paint over it with a top coat that will get your house looking great again.
We recommend this product for those who are worried about having to prepare the asbestos for a painting project.
Pros
- Allows for very little prep work
- Very thick
- Provides a smooth finish
Cons
- Dries white, which may not be the color needed
3. FIBERLOCK Paint Encapsulant, Safe Interior and Exterior Lead Encapsulation, Sealant Coat – 5600-1 Gallon, White
- ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE: An encapsulant is an effective substitute for costly lead-based paint removal.
- ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE: An encapsulant is an effective substitute for costly lead-based paint removal.
- EASY TO APPLY: This encapsulant adheres to any suitable surface with a brush or a roller.
- ONLY TAKES 2 COATS: This encapsulant can be applied with a minimum of 2 coats to a solid surface.
- TINTABLE: To reduce the number of coats needed on the surface, add 2 oz. of liquid colorant.
- SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Meets all federal, state, and local standards for covering lead-based paint.
Key Features
- Works for asbestos and lead
- Easy to apply
- Can be tinted
As we have mentioned, it is crucial to choose a primer which is going to keep your asbestos siding from being disturbed.
As soon as the asbestos breaks apart and the fragments or dust particles get into the air, it is very dangerous for anyone in the general vicinity.
However, if you can seal the siding and paint over it properly, you will not have these issues.
An encapsulating paint will be able to work as a seal and keep the siding from allowing any dangerous particles to enter the area.
Although this Fiberlock paint is advertised as being for lead, it does a great job with asbestos as well.
Essentially the same concept of having to make sure that a contaminant is concealed under the paint applies to both lead and asbestos.
One thing that you will notice about paint like this is that it is quite expensive.
Of course, this has to do with the fact that the alternative is even more expensive.
The alternative to using a product like this could mean having to completely replace your asbestos siding.
When you compare the costs of using a premium paint to having to completely replace the siding, you will notice that the costs for the paint become much more reasonable.
This product is very easy to apply and will work both indoors and outdoors.
You can use either a brush or a roller to apply the paint, and it goes on quite easily.
To make sure that the asbestos is fully encapsulated, it would be best to use two coats of this primer.
Another great thing about the Fiberlock Paint is that you are going to be able to tint it.
Not that you will need it to be the exact color of the finish coat, but it will help you cover with your final coat.
In fact, many people found that, after the two coats of primer, it was not necessary to do two coats of the top color paint.
This product has been tested and approved to adequately cover the lead.
It takes quite a bit of time and technology for these types of certifications.
If you can trust the Fiberlock with lead, it certainly should help you feel better about using it on asbestos.
Pros
- Encapsulating paint
- Applies easily
- Seals with two coats
Cons
- Expensive
4. INSL-X AQ040009A-04 Aqua Lock Plus 100% Acrylic Water-Based Sealer Primer, 1 Quart, White
- Multipurpose, 100% acrylic primer sealer that provides excellent adhesion to a variety of interior & exterior surfaces.
- Superior sealing and coverage qualities, product versatility and an excellent base coat for both latex and oil-based finish coatings.
- Excellent stain blocking primer properties.
- Quick drying; Tack free in 30 minutes, topcoat in as little as 1 hour and low VOC.
- 75 - 100 square foot coverage per quart
- Apply when surface and ambient temperature is above 50 °F (10 °C) and below 90 °F (32 °C).
- Before painting, review the INSL-X Aqua Lock Plus label for proper preparation and application tips.
Key Features
- Seals against water and mold
- Sticks to a wide range of surfaces
- It helps to seal in asbestos
This Aqua Lock Plus is another high-quality primer that will work both indoors and out.
This is considered to be a primer sealer, and that is what you will want when you are dealing with asbestos siding.
In order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, it is essential to make sure that the siding stays sealed and protected.
The Aqua Lock does a great job of sticking to a wide range of surfaces, and it will do well under the latex paint that you will want to use as your top coat.
The Aqua Lock has some unique features that other primers don’t have.
Perhaps the most important of these features is the mold resistant technology.
The siding on a home is exposed to a wide range of weather conditions and temperatures.
If there are days when the siding is wet, and the temperature gets warm, or the siding stays wet for a number of days, there is a chance that mold could develop.
When mold develops, you will have an entirely different problem on your hands.
This is why it is so important to use products that will help prevent mold from growing on your siding.
The Aqua Lock primer is quick to try and you can put on a top coat in about one hour.
This is perfect if you are working on a small area and trying to finish it in an afternoon.
The only thing you need to keep in mind while using the Aqua Lock is that the outdoor temperature should be between 50 and 90 degrees during application.
If you install this under any other temperature conditions, you will compromise the effectiveness of the product.
Pros
- Quick drying
- Mold resistant
- It can be used both indoors and out
- Low VOC
Cons
- Does not come in a 5-gallon container for larger applications
5. INSL-X PS800009A-01 Prime Lock Plus Alkyd Primer, 1 Gallon, White
- Fast-drying, multi-purpose Alkyd-based coating that primes and seals a variety of substrates and hard to block stains with excellent adhesion
- High hiding Alkyd primer that seals stains from water, smoke damage, and more
- Superior adhesion to glossy surfaces
- Quick drying; re-coat in as little as 1 hour
- 300 - 350 square foot coverage per gallon
- Apply when temperature is above 45 °F (7.2 °C)
- Do not paint if surface temperature is within 5 degrees of the dew point
Key Features
- Dries fast
- Seals stains
- Excellent adhesion
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Prime Lock Plus.
If you have picked up on the trend, all of the options on our list have had some kind of locking or sealing technology in place.
This is an important feature to look for when you’re dealing with asbestos siding.
Another essential thing to consider is the type of paint.
This is an Alkyd primer designed to help seal the paint and keep stains away.
One of the things you will notice about Prime Lock is that the adhesion is excellent.
Even if you have a glossy finish on your current siding, you should have no issues getting the Prime Lock to adhere.
Even though it does a great job of sealing, this is not an overly thick primer.
With one gallon, you will be able to cover about 350 square feet.
You will still need quite a few gallons if you plan to do the entire outside of your house, but this is not all that bad considering some gallons only cover 100 square feet.
Prime Lock is a quick drying product ready for a second coat in as little as an hour.
If you are working on a small project, you will have no problem finishing it quickly.
Similar to its partner product, the Aqua Lock this paint needs to be applied under certain conditions.
The temperature must be above 45 degrees before you start to apply this paint.
You also must make sure that the siding is not within five degrees of the dew point.
If it is, you will find that there are moisture and adhesion issues with Prime Lock paint.
Overall, this is a great product to consider to get your home ready for a premium topcoat of paint.
Pros
- Dries quickly
- Sticks to surfaces very well
- Hides stains and protects against future ones
Cons
- Oil based product
Can You Paint Over Asbestos?
If you find out that your home is, in fact, covered in asbestos siding, it may cause you a bit of concern.
There are lots of horror stories out there about asbestos and what it has done to people.
There is no question that asbestos siding can be dangerous at times.
Of course, this danger only occurs when the asbestos siding is broken apart or sanded, and the particles of asbestos get into the air.
When the particles are in the air, humans can inhale them, and this is what causes the sickness and disease associated with asbestos.
If you are simply painting over asbestos without disturbing it, you will be safe.
The alternative to painting over your asbestos siding is to completely replace it.
If you were to completely replace your asbestos siding, the pricing would be substantial, and you would have to hire a qualified contractor.
Not everyone is trained on how to remove and properly dispose of asbestos siding.
There will be certain rules and regulations that need to be followed.
Conclusion
By now, you can see that there are some great options on the market for sealing asbestos.
If you don’t feel comfortable dealing with your asbestos siding, you will need to hire a qualified contractor.
There are certain concerns with asbestos that must be taken very seriously.
Keep in mind that the best primers for asbestos are going to be good at sealing the asbestos.
This will help ensure that you are not going to allow more particles to enter the air and cause you any harm.
An excellent primer also makes the painting of the house that much easier.
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