Do I need to paint over Kilz

It has recently occurred to me that every time someone posts "Do I have to X" or "Should I Y", the real answer is "If you're asking the question, you already know the answer is Yes."

Cindy Hamilton

What does the label instructions say? Kilz is more of a primer, so it may lack the properties you want for a top coat, eg tougher, washable, finish texture that you want, etc. But the label should tell you if you can go with just that or there should be FAQ at their website.

From a Kilz rep "Thanks for your question. Our primers are not stand-alone products, so it's best to topcoat them for long-lasting results. This primer can be left uncoated for up to 30 days before it's sealing and adhesion properties start to deteriorate. Best wishes!" - Sara

Kilz latex IS my ceiling paint.

I've used it on ceilings in 2 houses I flipped. Spray then roll 3/8”nap. Spray again and roll again. I spray the whole room with it first coat. If you need to fix a crack or something you can go back and roll out that spot and it disappears. Go ahead troll me. I like the results.

Why in the world are you using so much Kilz? Spray then roll, then spray again and roll again? lol

Only reason to use Kilz is to seal up stains. The latex version won't do it. Use oil based or I seem to remember that they also sell an alcohol based.

Just two coats of that on the spots will seal them, then spray or roll ONE coat of a flat latex paint on all. Flat latex is best for ceilings except for some kitchens and bathrooms that you want to be all glossy.

Your approach works for me. The latex based Kilz will cover many stains, but the oil based is superior and a sure thing. Unless something has changed, I don't think Kilz is intended as a top coat product. Primers are formulated differently, optimized to stick, while top coats are formulated to be washable, resist stains, resist fading, etc. I'm sure you can get away with using a primer indoors, especially on say a ceiling, but I don't think it's optimal.

Because he is buying crappy houses and wants to hide stuff rather than fix it properly. I'd never buy a house from a flipper.

I am trying to use SW ceiling paint and the spot where I used kilz to cover a water spot shows through. The shiny kilz is what’s showing. How do I get that to not be shiny?

Will take several coats to cover it

Use a napped roller to add a bit of texture to the paint - the paint around the kilz likely has some texture. It WILL take 2 or 3 coats to totally hide it. Don't thin it or brush it out too much if brushing.

That's surprising. Guess ceiling paint is thin, i.e. short on pigment. Years ago I had a paint like that which needed several coats. I did a ceiling stain recently and did not have this problem but may have used a newer kilz grade.

I haven't seen it with ceiling paint, but I've seen it with high quality, BM wall paint. I've put up some test samples of various colors and later when covered with two or even three coats of the final color, at the right angle you can see the underlying test areas. It's like a difference in texture effect. And no, the colors were not something extreme either, more like faint grays, light tans, etc.

It was years ago and not a high quality paint.

Funny story but as a kid I did a couple of days interior house painting and contractor would not use a color that required more than one coat. He had one that did and removed it for another color.

I think now that there are 3 grades of Kilz. Original was ethanol solvent and quite drippy. The stuff I used recently was not.