Paint & Primer Combo
So, what does it mean when they say it’s a paint/primer combo?
“Paint and Primer in One” means the coating has been formulated with stronger binders and higher solids so it can perform light priming and top-coating in a single step. These products are designed to adhere well and provide good hide on common, previously painted or properly prepared interior surfaces such as cured drywall, plaster, or dull latex paint.
However, it’s important to understand that this convenience has limits. A true primer’s job isn’t just adhesion—it also includes sealing porous substrates, blocking stains, and creating a uniform surface for finish coats. Paint-and-primer-in-one coatings rarely provide all those benefits.
For example, new drywall is highly porous and must be sealed to prevent uneven sheen and excessive absorption; bare wood needs a dedicated primer to block tannins and resin bleed; and glossy, metal, or masonry surfaces require primers with specific bonding or alkali-resistant properties.
So, while “paint and primer in one” helps with light adhesion and coverage, it doesn’t replace the function of specialty primers used for raw, stained, or challenging surfaces.
Example: A paint-and-primer product may perform perfectly on clean drywall but fail to properly seal bare cedar or adhere to galvanized metal.
Paint-and-Primer vs. Self-Sealing Paints
A paint-and-primer combo focuses on adhesion and coverage for common, previously painted or non-porous surfaces. It combines topcoat performance with mild priming ability but does not truly seal raw materials.
A self-sealing paint, by contrast, is formulated to penetrate and lock down porous substrates like new drywall—acting as its own sealer coat and finish. For example, Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec® 500 Self-Sealing can be applied directly to bare drywall without a separate primer. This makes it popular for commercial environments where speed and uniformity matter more than premium finish attributes.
However, self-sealing paints typically don’t include the higher resin content, durability, or washability found in mid- or high-grade residential paints. They are efficient, cost-effective, and functional—but not decorative-grade.
In short:
Paint & Primer in One = adhesion + coverage for previously painted surfaces
Self-Sealing Paint = sealing + uniformity for new drywall
Benjamin Moore products that include “Paint & Primer in One” technology:
Aura®
Regal® Select
ben®
Note: Ultra Spec® 500 Self-Sealing and Scuff-X® are not marketed as paint-and-primer products but have strong adhesion and sealing characteristics in their respective categories.