Primers, sealers and undercoats act as an anchor for the new paint and help to deal with issues with the surface, such as staining.
The final result is totally dependent on the primer or sealer doing its job. Always make sure you choose the Resene primer or sealer recommended for your topcoat to get the best quality finish.

A brief summary of the main product lines are contained below. Please scroll through the range and if you have any questions, Ask a Paint Expert.
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Browse the range: e.g. "Q" for Quick Dry Primer
Product image downloads: Click on JPG or PNG to zoom in on the paint tin or download individual images. Click on the paint tin to download a zipped copy of both files. Alternatively, download the full image set (68.2 MB) for this range.
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Resene Acrylic Undercoatgeneral purpose undercoat Resene Acrylic Undercoat is an easy brushing, quick, hard drying undercoat with exceptional flow and sanding characteristics. While specifically designed for maximum benefit under waterborne enamels, such as Resene Enamacryl and Resene Lustacryl, Resene Acrylic Undercoat tinted to the correct colour is ideal for use under a wide range of waterborne and solventborne topcoats to improve the hiding of the paint system. Resene Acrylic Undercoat gives all the hiding benefits associated with Resene Enamel Undercoat combined with the advantages of being waterborne, such as easy clean up in water, lower odour and therefore the desirability of using it with both acrylic and enamel topcoats. Suitable for interior and exterior use, it can be used in most paint systems as a substitute for Resene Enamel Undercoat. For a consistent undercoat solution from solventborne to waterborne, Resene Enamel Undercoat and Resene Acrylic Undercoat, use a varishade colour system to provide the right basecoat for any shade. This helps provide the chosen topcoat with enhanced obliteration. Available in white and varishade tone there are six options including white and five varishades which grow steadily darker or higher in value moving from 1 to 5. White is tinted to the three palest shades while the varishade tone is tinted to reach the two deepest shades. For optimum effect, CoolColour topcoats should use a white Resene Acrylic Undercoat or white primer only. Choosing which varishade to use is recommended through the Resene e-tint colour formulation system. Bright accent colours such as bright reds, yellows and oranges tend to use a slightly lighter varishade than you may expect. Typical uses:
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Resene Aluminium Wood Primeraluminium wood primer Resene Aluminium Wood Primer is a lead and extender free primer based on mixed oil and oil-modified alkyds. Its sole pigmentation is aluminium flake. Typical uses:
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Resene AquaLAQ NGR Alkyd Primer Sealersolventborne interior Resene AquaLAQ NGR Alkyd Primer Sealer is a fast drying, solventborne primer sealer for MDF and wood with excellent adhesion and built in water and impact resistance. It is low odour and designed to seal off MDF board with minimal grain raising. An alternative to Resene AquaLAQ Quick Dry waterborne sealer when a faster production time is required. Typical uses:
Recommended as part of the Resene AquaLAQ system. |
Resene AquaLAQ Quick Dry Sealerwaterborne interior Resene AquaLAQ Quick Dry Sealer is a unique waterborne sealer designed to seal off grain raising in MDF to provide a sound, flat, and high quality substrate ready to be topcoated. With minimal sanding required, you can enjoy lower labour costs. Enjoy low odour and low VOC with this product. The clear sealer may also be used on timber and timber/paper veneers, which would normally be susceptible to moisture, to highlight their warmth and grain while providing a sealed substrate suitable for topcoating. Typical uses:
Recommended as part of the Resene AquaLAQ system. |
Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer – waterborneclear water repellent treatment for terracotta Adding colour to the great outdoors is easy with Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer. Designed for use on terracotta pots inside and out, Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer is suitable for use over a wide range of terracotta surfaces, including terracotta statues and ornaments to ready them for topcoating. Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer seals the surface of the terracotta and imparts excellent waterbeading properties to deter water penetration so even if you wish to leave the terracotta in its original terracotta colouring, it will help keep it looking good for longer. It is also the ideal basecoat for overcoating with Resene decorative topcoats so you can add your own decorative flair in colour to terracotta pots, statues and ornaments. Typical uses:
This product has changed names from Resene Terracotta Sealer. |
Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primergeneral purpose metal primer Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer, is a general purpose (GP) primer based on a non saponifiable resin and a blend of anti-corrosive pigments designed for exterior and interior metals - steel, galvanised steel and Zincalume. It is ideal over sound metal surfaces and mild to moderately rusted surfaces - both red rust and zinc oxide – or white rust, which occurs on galvanised steel and zinc. It's thick, which means you can get a lot of primer protection in just one coat, yet still easy to apply and use. As with any metal finishing product, before you start priming, all salt and loose corrosion must be removed. We also have a range of galvanised iron primers - Resene Galvo One and Resene Galvo-Prime - especially ideal for those planning roof painting projects to ensure the surface is properly primed before topcoating in Resene Summit Roof for a durable finish. Typical uses:
This product was formerly know as Resene GP Metal Primer. It's name has been changed to Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer. |
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Resene Broadwall Waterborne Wallboard Sealerwaterborne wallboard sealer Resene Broadwall Waterborne Wallboard Sealer is a water reducible first coat for plasterboard walls and air-dry stoppings. Designed to minimise porosity and textural differences. No added VOCs. Typical uses:
Ingredients: Water, Minerals (Limestone, Titania, Talc and Amorphous Silica), Resin (APEO free and Formaldehyde free), Mineral Oil, Alcohol, Soap, Preservatives < 0.1%, Non-toxic Trace Ingredients < 0.1%. |
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Resene Concrete Primerconcrete primer Resene Concrete Primer is designed for cementitious surfaces, including all concrete, plaster and surfaces, such as fibre cement to make ready for topcoating. Provides long-term adhesion coupled with exceptional durability even when left uncoated for prolonged periods. Typical uses:
Ingredients: Water, Minerals (Limestone, Titania, Talc and Iron Oxide), Resin (APEO free and Formaldehyde free), Mineral Oil, Alcohol, Soap, Preservatives < 0.1%, Non-toxic Trace Ingredients < 0.1%. |
Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1fast drying concrete primer/sealer Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 is formulated to adhere well to concrete and be a fast drying versatile sealer/primer for interior concrete floors and exterior tilt slab. It's also ideal for garage and other residential and commercial floors being painted with Resene Walk-on. When used on properly prepared concrete floors, it will not flake off where hot car tyres stand. Properly prepared concrete needs to be clean from oil, grease, dirt and curing membranes. It may also be used as coloured dust coat for new and aged interior concrete floors. Often with tilt slab problems occur because of poor surface preparation and a failure to remove form oils and surface treatments before applying topcoats. Using Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 helps the paint system adhere to the tilt slab allowing the topcoats to hold on better. Typical uses:
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Resene Enamel Undercoatgeneral purpose undercoat Resene Enamel Undercoat is a blend of special alkyd resins balanced with unique pigments. An easy brushing, quick, hard drying undercoat with exceptional flow and sanding properties. For a consistent undercoat solution from solventborne to waterborne, Resene Enamel Undercoat and Resene Acrylic Undercoat, use a varishade colour system to provide the right basecoat for any shade. This helps provide the chosen topcoat with enhanced obliteration. Available in white and varishade tone there are six options including white and five varishades which grow steadily darker or higher in value moving from 1 to 5. White is tinted to the three palest shades while the varishade tone is tinted to reach the two deepest shades. For optimum effect, CoolColour topcoats should use a white Resene Acrylic Undercoat or white primer only. Choosing which varishade to use is recommended through the Resene e-tint colour formulation system. Bright accent colours such as bright reds, yellows and oranges tend to use a slightly lighter varishade than you may expect. Typical uses:
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Resene Galvo Onegalvanised steel primer Resene Galvo One is a single pack primer based on alkyd resins and special anti-corrosive pigments. Specially developed for direct application to new and weathered galvanised steel. Effectively welds itself to galvanised steel and stops zinc corrosion. Also suitable for use on Zincalume. Typical uses:
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Resene Galvo-Primegalvanised steel primer Resene Galvo-Prime is a water reducible primer that matches its solvent reducible analogues even in marine exposures. Typical uses:
Ingredients: Water, Minerals (Titania, Zinc Phosphate and Chrome (III) Oxide), Resin (APEO free and Formaldehyde free), Mineral Oil, Alcohol, Soap, Preservatives < 0.1%, Non-toxic Trace Ingredients < 0.1%. |
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Resene HydraBlockepoxy barrier – waterborne Hydrostatic pressure can cause moisture to rise through the pores in concrete, damaging an impermeable film sitting on the surface, usually through blistering or pressure sufficient to blow sections of the coating off. Resene HydraBlock is a transparent two pack low VOC waterborne epoxy barrier coating for application to interior cementitious surfaces, such as masonry - walls, in-situ concrete - walls/floors and plastered walls, subject to hydrostatic pressure. Resene HydraBlock controls rising damp and efflorescence. It has excellent adhesion and is tolerant of application over damp surfaces. Typical uses:
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Resene Laminate and Melamine Primerexterior/interior – waterborne Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer is a waterborne 'adhesion primer' designed for use over a series of surfaces usually considered difficult to coat or in need of expensive pre-treatment. Fast drying, easy application and wide compatibility with Resene waterborne topcoats. For old, varnished surfaces, use Resene Waterborne Sureseal. Typical uses:
This product replaces Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. |
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Resene Membrane Primer
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Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primerexterior – solventborne Pre-coated coloured steel, such as ColorSteel®, ColorBond® and ColorCote, is a hugely popular option for roofs and may also be used as cladding. However inevitably owners want a colour change, sometimes within months of installation or sometimes years later. To make it easier to prepare the surface for topcoating, Resene has launched new Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer. Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer is a single pack adhesion primer for application to new factory coated roofing and cladding to ready it for topcoating with Resene waterborne paints. It can also be used as an anti-corrosive primer for new or weathered Zincalume and galvanising where a solventborne cool primer is required to maximise heat reflection when topcoating with Resene CoolColours. Simply apply, allow to dry and you're ready to topcoat with Resene Summit Roof on roofs or you can opt for waterborne exterior finishes such as Resene Lumbersider waterborne low sheen, Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne semi-gloss or Resene Hi-Glo waterborne gloss on cladding. Typical uses:
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Resene Quick Drywaterborne primer undercoat Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer Undercoat provides long-term flexibility over unstable substrates coupled with exceptional durability even when left uncoated for prolonged periods. The latest formulation has enhanced flow and sanding characteristics for maximum benefit under waterborne enamels, such as Resene Enamacryl and Resene Lustacryl. Typical uses:
Ingredients: Water, Minerals (Calamine, Clay, Mica, Talc and Titania), Resin (Formaldehyde free), Mineral Oil, Wax, Alcohol, Soap, Preservatives < 0.1%, Non-toxic Trace Ingredients < 0.1%. |
Resene Quick Dry End Sealwaterborne sealer When you're on the job site, the fiddly jobs can be annoying, such as making sure the ends of timber are properly sealed before the timber is erected. Resene Quick Dry End Seal is a modified version of Resene Quick Dry in a unique bottle with built in brush applicator, which can be used to quickly and easily coat the ends of timber without the hassle of getting out a can of primer and a paintbrush and then having to wash it up afterwards. It's quick and easy to use; simply open the lid and brush the Resene Quick Dry End Seal onto the surface of the timber using the applicator. |
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Resene Suresealpenetrating pigmented sealer Resene Sureseal is a pigmented, solventborne, alkali-resistant, penetrating sealer with the ability to penetrate and bond old decaying surfaces and make them suitable for painting. This lower odour formulation acts as a surface conditioner that also reduces bleeding of water stains and dries without the unwanted and strong solvent odours associated with traditional solventborne products. Typical uses:
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Resene Waterborne Sureseal – pigmented sealerpenetrating pigmented sealer Resene Waterborne Sureseal is a pigmented penetrating sealer designed to ready a wide range of interior surfaces ready for topcoating, including old varnishes and Lockwood® finishes. It has excellent adhesion, reduces bleeding of water stains, low VOCs and dries without the unwanted and strong solvent odours associated with traditional solventborne products. Suitable for use in broadwall areas through to wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Resene Waterborne Sureseal is a penetrating sealer and should not be regarded as forming part of the film build of the subsequent coating. Winner of Master Painters Best Paint Product 2021/22. Winner of the Master Painters Best Paint Product in 2024. Typical uses:
Ingredients: Water, Minerals (Mica and Titania), Resin (APEO free and Formaldehyde free), Silicone Oil, Soap, Preservatives < 0.1%, Non-toxic Trace Ingredients < 0.1%. |
Resene Waterborne Vinyl Wallpaper Sealervinyl wallpaper sealer Those familiar with painting over wallpaper will shudder at the mention of plasticiser. Painting directly over vinyl wallpaper can cause the plasticiser hidden in the vinyl wallpaper to migrate through to the topcoats affecting the cure of the coating and leaving a sticky surface. To alleviate this problem many simply removed the wallpaper, expending much time and energy in the process, before coating the surface in paint. While this resolves the sticky surface issue, it is a resource intensive option and not for the fainthearted. Recognising the need for a quick and easy method of coating vinyl wallpaper, Resene Waterborne Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer is designed to be applied direct to the vinyl wallpaper, sealing in the plasticiser leaving the surface ready for finishing with the desired topcoats. Those wishing to take advantage of the texture of the existing wallpaper can safely seal the vinyl wallpaper with Resene Waterborne Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer and follow this in the desired topcoats leaving a freshly coated surface with the texture of the original wallpaper. Typical uses:
Resene Waterborne Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer is a waterborne and lower odour replacement of the older solventborne Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer. The older solventborne product has now been deleted. |
Resene Wood Primergeneral purpose wood primer Resene Wood Primer is based on an oil-modified alkyd resin blended with pigments to give ease of application and good penetration to substrates. Flexible and produces the ideal surface for subsequent paint finishes. Typical uses:
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Some products or services may not be offered in your area or country. Please check with your local Resene ColorShop for availability. Most products can be ordered on request though lead times and minimum order quantities may apply.
In response to growing concerns over VOC emissions, the Eco Choice programme focuses on the need to reduce these emissions. Solventborne paints release significantly more VOCs per litre than waterborne paints, spurring Resene chemists to develop waterborne replacements for solventborne products. Today, less than 8% of the decorative paint sold by Resene is solventborne, while the average per litre VOC levels of Resene decorative paint sales have dropped by over 90% in the last two decades, clearly demonstrating Resene's commitment to proactively develop and launch environmentally preferable waterborne technologies to the market. Resene offers an extensive range of low VOC and no added VOC paints, coatings, stains/primers and sealers, including no added VOC tinters.
Resene manufactures an extensive range of paints, stains and coatings suitable for a myriad of residential, commercial and industrial applications