Cat urine is a big, stinky problem that can be incredibly difficult to get rid of. Even if your cat is no longer urinating inappropriately, the damage from the urine can stick around. Cat urine can leave stains on painted surfaces, and those stains are often very smelly. Sometimes, it seems like no amount of cleaning is enough to eliminate the lingering smell of cat urine.

Painting over cat urine stains is a great way to make them disappear, but not all primers and paints will cover the stain and eliminate the smell. Kilz and Bin both make paint primers that can cover and deodorize your cat’s urine stains. While both of these products are high quality and effective, Kilz comes at a more affordable price than Bin, as well as having a less intrusive smell, but Bin has a faster drying time, higher coverage, and is easier to sand after drying.

At a Glance

Let’s look at the key points of each product.

Overview of Kilz Primer

Kilz Primer is a budget-friendly primer pick, but it doesn’t provide as much coverage or durability as the Bin primer. It is easier to use, though, thanks to its thinner consistency and very tolerable odor.

It is a good option if you have minor staining and odors to cover, but you should expect a slow drying and curing time. The slower drying time is due to the fact that you will likely need two or more coats to get proper coverage and odor control. You can expect days to weeks to get multiple coats on and the primer to fully cure.

It can be sanded once fully cured, but it isn’t as sanding-friendly as the Bin primer. Once cured, it can be difficult to clean without damaging the finish of the primer, so make sure to fully prep the area to be painted according to the directions.

Overview of Bin Primer

The Bin primer is a heavy-duty primer that retails for a higher price than Kilz. It has a thick consistency that requires thinning for use in paint sprayers, but the consistency allows it to cover even severe stains and odors in one or two coats.

It has a quick drying time, allowing you to get multiple coats put on in a single day, and it only takes up to 3 days to fully cure. You likely won’t need more than two coats, though, so this primer will save you a lot of time compared to the Kilz primer.

It’s suitable for a variety of wall types and textures, and once fully cured, it’s very easy to sand. It’s thick and durable enough that it can even be used as a kind of caulking in small cracks between walls and floors. The biggest downside of Bin primer is the potent smell associated with it, which can make it difficult and irritating to use.

What Are the Differences Between Them?

Coverage

• Edge: Bin

When it comes to coverage, the Bin primer easily takes the lead. It’s made to cover even the worst cat urine staining, and it will eliminate unpleasant odors associated with the stains as well. The Kilz primer is only appropriate for minor to moderate staining, and it will require multiple coats. 

Price

• Edge: Kilz

Kilz is one of the cheapest primer options available, and it easily beats out the premium price of the Bin primer. Its budget-friendly pricing makes it a good option for tight budgets, especially when only minor stains and odors need to be covered.

Durability

• Edge: Bin

While the Kilz primer is suitable for minor staining, it isn’t as durable as the thicker, stronger Bin primer. Kilz is easily damaged when cleaned, even after fully curing, while the Bin primer is far less likely to be negatively impacted by your cleaning efforts. Wall prep is a necessity for both products, though.

Dry Time

• Edge: Bin

The Bin primer easily edges out the Kilz primer when it comes to drying and curing time. The Bin primer is dry to the touch within 15 minutes and ready for a second coat within 45 minutes. It cures in 3 days or less, while the Kilz primer can take up to 3 weeks to fully cure.

What the Users Say

To make your decision between these two primers easier, we’ve checked out what other users are saying about these products.

For the Bin primer, most people comment on the high price of the product, but they also comment on the high coverage of this primer. Most people seem to mark it as the best coverage primer they’ve used. It’s suitable for covering a variety of types of stains and odors, so it’s a great product to have on hand.

Although the Bin primer is the better product on paper, users of the Kilz primer typically are very happy with the functionality and coverage provided by the primer. In general, people seem to find the most success with this primer when they use it to prime surfaces for projects as opposed to covering stains and odors.

Conclusion

While the Bin primer outperforms the Kilz primer on almost all fronts, the Kilz primer is also a quality product. The Kilz primer is ideal for minor stains and odors, while the Bin primer is ideal for high coverage needs, like severe staining and inset odors. You can expect to spend more on the Bin primer than the Kilz, but that’s because the Bin primer is a thicker, higher-quality product. Both of these primers are great options, depending on your needs.