The best primer for cigarette smoke in 2024

The best primer for cigarette smoke in 2023

When we first moved into our home, there was an overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. It was EVERYWHERE! From the carpet to the curtains the previous owners left behind, the odor was overwhelming. The once white walls were a dirty off white as a result of the cigarette residue. Some folks in my family have a sensitivity to cigarette smoke, so I knew that eradicating that cigarette smell with the best product out there for this situation: Kilz primer.

At first, I bucked buying Kilz primer because of the initial cost. The Honey had to convince me by buying it himself without my input to prove how effective of a primer it really is. For me, seeing is believing when it comes to home renovation. So, after we finished priming one room, I became a believer.

Of their products, the best primer for cigarette smoke is Kilz Restoration (formerly known as Kilz Max 2). According to their documentation, Restoration is a water based primer with “oil and shellac performance.

Those components block many odors such as cigarette smoke, fire damage, and pet odors. (In truth, we’ve even used it to prime a subfloor to help block pet odors that seeped through the flooring at another house.)

What makes Kilz the best primer for cigarette smoke?

A little goes a long way. 

One coat is all that’s needed. Load up your roller and you can get several passes to cover a good amount of surface area.

Coverage is solid.

Sometimes, when you are trying to make your primer stretch, your primer coat can dry streaky. With Kilz Restoration, you can get a solid, even coat. Again, only one coat is necessary.

Dry time is minimal.

Kilz primer can be painted over after an hour.

Potential drawbacks

Firstly, some people complain about the smell of the primer, but I assure you that the Kilz smell goes away after a few days. Either way, it beats the smell of cigarettes. Once you paint over the Kilz, the primer smell goes away for sure.

Secondly, the Kilz Restoration price point is high. With the paint shortage that we’re experiencing, the price of Kilz Restoration has increased about $40 in the past year for the 5 gallon option. Yikes!

However, the quality of the product is solid enough to justify the price, in my opinion. The time saved from the one coat coverage plus the fact that a little goes a long way still makes Kilz Restoration the best primer for cigarette smells.

A cost saving tip for buying primer

Whether or not you decide to purchase Kilz Restoration or any other primer to cover cigarette smells, buy the larger container of primer. This helps with getting more bang for your buck and the ability to keep additional primer on hand.

Also, cigarette smoke gets everywhere. Therefore, you’ll need to paint as many surfaces as possible. Think walls, ceilings, and sometimes you’ll even need to paint cabinets. In fact, check out my comprehensive, 8-step guide to prepping walls before painting for details.

In short, it’s better to spend a little more for the best primer for cigarette smoke to truly cover up the stubborn odor. A quality primer is a game changer for making your room look and feel refreshed and clean.

Sincerely,

Felicia.

Although this post is not sponsored by the Kilz brand itself, this post does contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something.