Primers · Interior & exterior
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primers
The primer family that decides whether the finish coat lasts — stain blocking, sealing, and adhesion.
Most paint failures we see at the counter are primer failures. Fresh Start covers the range: an all-purpose acrylic for new drywall and general repaints, an alkyd for heavy stain and tannin blocking, and a high-hide formula for drastic color changes.
Prime when you're going over bare substrate, water or smoke stains, raw or tannin-rich wood, a chalky exterior, or a dramatic color change. Skip it and the topcoat will tell on you.
Bring us photos of what you're painting and we'll pick the primer with you — that two-minute conversation saves a repaint.
The cheapest insurance in the store. A gallon of the right primer is worth three gallons of the wrong topcoat.
Best for
- •New drywall and patched repairs
- •Water, smoke, and tannin stains
- •Raw wood, cedar, and redwood
- •Drastic color changes
- •Chalky or weathered exteriors
Available finishes
Why it's different
What Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primers gives you
- Acrylic, alkyd, and high-hide formulas
- Strong stain and tannin blocking
- Sticks to a wide range of substrates
- Tintable toward your finish color for better coverage
- Sands smooth for trim and cabinet work
Questions
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primers — common questions
What people actually ask us at the counter.
Do I really need to prime before painting?
Over a sound, previously painted wall in a similar color, no. Over bare drywall, stains, raw wood, glossy surfaces, or a big color change, yes — that's exactly where paint fails.
Which primer blocks water stains on a ceiling?
Use the alkyd Fresh Start for water and smoke stains. A waterborne primer will let a brown ring bleed straight back through.
Should I tint my primer?
Yes when you're going to a deep or saturated color. Tinting the primer toward the finish color can save you a whole topcoat.
What primer goes under cabinet paint?
STIX is the go-to bonding primer for slick, previously finished, or laminate cabinets. Fresh Start handles raw and paintable wood. Clean and degrease before either one.
Where to buy
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primers in South Palm Beach County
Tinted to any color at our stores, usually while you wait. Call ahead and we'll have it mixed before you arrive.
Delray Beach · Boca Raton · Boynton Beach · Lake Worth Beach · Highland Beach · Gulf Stream · Ocean Ridge · Greenacres · Lantana · Wellington · West Palm Beach
Compare
Other lines we carry
Benjamin Moore Aura
The top of the Benjamin Moore line — deepest color, best hide, toughest finish.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select
The everyday workhorse — beautiful finish, forgiving application, fair price.
Benjamin Moore ADVANCE
Waterborne alkyd for cabinets, doors, and trim — a furniture-smooth finish that cleans up with water.
Benjamin Moore Element Guard
Exterior paint engineered for extreme weather — rain, wind-driven moisture, and relentless sun.
Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT
Exterior wood stain in five opacities — from clear to solid — for decks, fences, and siding.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec
Professional production paint — priced for volume, built to spray, roll, and cover fast.