INSL-X by Benjamin Moore · Vapour Barrier VB-5000
Prime it.
Seal out vapour.
Vapour Barrier Primer/Sealer dries to a low-permeability film that acts as a Class II vapour barrier on interior walls and ceilings, rated 0.58 perms. It primes new drywall and plaster in the same coat, then takes latex or solvent-based paint.
0.58perms (Class II)
44 g/LVOC
3.79 L from
$249+ships free in Canada
Perm rating per ASTM D-1653. Interior use. Apply at 10 °C or warmer.
Vapour Barrier, WhiteInterior primer-sealer
Plan my jobINSL-X Vapour Barrier Primer/Sealer, Interior (VB-5000)
Prix habituel
$56.90 CAD
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INSL-X Vapour Barrier Primer/Sealer (VB-5000) is an interior latex primer that does two jobs in one coat. It primes new drywall and plaster with good adhesion and hide, and it dries to a low-permeability, non-breathing film that acts as a Class II vapour barrier, rated 0.58 perms under ASTM D-1653. Painting contractors and builders use it on interior walls and ceilings in basements, bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms where moisture vapour is a concern. It's low VOC, tack free in an hour, and takes latex or solvent-based paint. White, in 3.79 L and 18.9 L.
Key Features & Benefits
- Class II vapour barrier: 0.58 perms (ASTM D-1653).
- Primes and seals with good adhesion, hide and topcoat holdout.
- Fast drying: tack free in 1 hour, recoat in 2.
- Low VOC (44 g/L) with soap-and-water clean-up.
- Topcoat with latex or solvent-based paints.
- Class A flame spread over non-combustible surfaces; MPI #61.
Applications & Recommended Uses
Interior walls and ceilings in homes and commercial buildings: basements, bathrooms and bathroom ceilings, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms and garages. Use it on new or previously painted drywall, plaster, composition board, non-bleeding wood and concrete. Check your local building code for what your job requires.
Product Specifications
| Product type | Interior latex vapour barrier primer-sealer |
| Perm rating | 0.58 (ASTM D-1653), Class II |
| Sheen | Flat (2–4 @ 85°) |
| Colour | White |
| Coverage | 400–450 sq ft (37.1–41.8 m²) per 3.79 L |
| Dry time (25 °C, 50% RH) | Tack free 1 hour; recoat 2 hours |
| Application temperature | 10–32.2 °C (50–90 °F) |
| VOC | 44 g/L |
| Volume solids | 33.5% ± 2% |
| Application | Brush, roller, or airless spray at 1,500–3,000 PSI with a .013–.017 tip |
| Clean-up | Warm soapy water |
| Certifications | MPI #61; ASTM E-84 Class A |
| Sizes | 3.79 L, 18.9 L |
How to Use / Application Tips
- Prep: make sure surfaces are clean, dry and free of dust, grease and mildew. Remove drywall sanding dust and dull glossy areas.
- Apply at full strength when air and surface are 10 °C or warmer. Don't thin; Benjamin Moore notes thinning reduces the perm rating.
- Prime before and after filling holes and cracks.
- Topcoat after 2 hours with latex or solvent-based paint. Clean up with warm soapy water.
Why Buy From The Paint People?
We're a family-run Benjamin Moore and INSL-X retailer serving painting contractors in Mississauga since 1997. We ship across Canada, free on most orders over $249, or you can pick up free in Mississauga. Not sure which primer your job needs? Our team is happy to help.
Vapour Barrier Primer FAQ
1What's the perm rating?
0.58 perms (ASTM D-1653), Class II.
2How soon can I topcoat?
2 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity.
3How much does a can cover?
400–450 sq ft per 3.79 L.
Canada Shipping
- Enjoy free shipping in Canada on orders over $249. Yukon, NWT, Nunavut not included.
Winter Shipping:
- From December to April, shipping outside of Ontario and Quebec is limited.
- Returns accepted within 35 days from the date of delivery.
- Custom tinted paints are classified as Final Sale items and are not eligible for return or store credit.
How it works
A primer and a vapour barrier in one coat.
Ordinary primers breathe. This one doesn't: it dries to a non-breathing film that slows moisture vapour moving from the room into your walls and ceilings.
01
Class II vapour barrier
0.58 perms under ASTM D-1653, below the 1.0 perm line for Class II, when applied at full strength.
02
Primes as it seals
Good adhesion and hide on new drywall and plaster, with good stain and topcoat holdout, so your finish goes on even.
03
Fast and low VOC
44 g/L VOC. Tack free in 1 hour, recoat in 2. Topcoat with latex or solvent-based paint; clean up with soap and water.
For new or previously painted drywall, plaster, composition board, non-bleeding wood and concrete, in homes and commercial buildings. Interior only. Class A flame spread (ASTM E-84) over non-combustible surfaces. MPI #61.
Primer calculator
How much do I need?
Enter your room size. We'll work out the cans using 400 sq ft per 3.79 L, the low end of Benjamin Moore's coverage, so you don't run short.
ft
ft
ft
Coats
You need
—
Benjamin Moore recommends one coat. Doing a whole basement? The calculator switches to the 18.9 L pail when it works out cheaper.
Compare
Which primer do I need?
Vapour barrier
INSL-X Vapour Barrier
- Best for
- New drywall and plaster on interior walls and ceilings that need a vapour retarder.
- What you get
- Class II vapour barrier, 0.58 perms, in one primer coat.
- From
Stain blocker
INSL-X Max Block
- Best for
- Water, smoke and nicotine stains, marker and tannin bleed, inside and out.
- What you get
- A water-based stain blocking primer you can topcoat in 1 hour.
- From
Everyday drywall
Fast Sanding Primer K507
- Best for
- New drywall and patches where you want a primer that sands easily.
- What you get
- A Benjamin Moore interior primer for a smooth base under your finish.
- From
Specs
The details.
| Type | Interior latex vapour barrier primer-sealer (VB-5000) |
|---|---|
| Vapour barrier | Class II. 0.58 perms (ASTM D-1653) |
| Use on | New or previously painted drywall, plaster, composition board, non-bleeding wood, concrete |
| Colour | White |
| Sheen | Flat (2–4 @ 85°) |
| Coverage | 400–450 sq ft (37.1–41.8 m²) per 3.79 L |
| Coats | 1 |
| Dry time | Tack free 1 hour. Recoat 2 hours |
| Apply at | 10–32.2 °C (50–90 °F) air and surface temperature |
| VOC | 44 g/L |
| Volume solids | 33.5% ± 2% |
| Film thickness | 3.6–4.0 mils wet, 1.2–1.3 mils dry |
| Apply with | Brush, roller, or airless spray (1,500–3,000 PSI, .013–.017 tip) |
| Thinning | Do not thin. Thinning reduces the perm rating |
| Topcoat | Latex or solvent-based paint |
| Clean-up | Warm soapy water. Mineral spirits rinse for spray equipment |
| Certified | MPI #61; Class A flame spread (ASTM E-84) over non-combustible surfaces |
Dry times at 25 °C and 50% humidity. Store between 4.4 °C and 32.2 °C and protect from freezing.
How to apply
One coat, done right.
- Prep the surface. Clean, dry and free of dust, grease, soap, wax and mildew. Remove all drywall sanding dust. Scrape peeling paint, feather-sand the edges and dull glossy areas.
- Let new plaster cure until it's hard with a slight sheen and no higher than pH 10. Don't sand plaster; knife off bumps instead.
- Warm it up. Air and surface must be at least 10 °C.
- Stir well and apply at full strength by brush, roller or airless sprayer. Don't thin it; thinning affects the perm rating.
- Prime before and after filling nail holes and cracks. Sand smooth when dry.
- Topcoat after 2 hours with latex or solvent-based paint. Clean up with warm soapy water.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is Vapour Barrier Primer?
INSL-X Vapour Barrier Primer/Sealer (VB-5000) is an interior latex primer-sealer from Benjamin Moore's INSL-X line. It dries to a low-permeability, non-breathing film that acts as a moisture vapour barrier on interior walls and ceilings, and primes the surface for your topcoat in the same step.
What perm rating does it have?
0.58 perms under ASTM D-1653, which makes it a Class II vapour barrier (below 1.0 perm). Apply it at full strength: Benjamin Moore notes that thinning reduces the perm rating.
Where should I use it?
On interior walls and ceilings where you want to slow moisture vapour moving into the wall or ceiling cavity, in homes and commercial buildings. Benjamin Moore lists bathrooms, bathroom ceilings, kitchens, basements, bedrooms, living rooms and garages. Check your local building code and your inspector for what's required on your job.
What surfaces can I prime?
New or previously painted drywall, plaster, composition board, non-bleeding wood and concrete. It's ideal for new wallboard and plaster. Plaster must be cured, hard and no higher than pH 10.
Can I paint over it with any paint?
Yes. It can be topcoated with latex or solvent-based paints. For walls, a finish like Regal Select works well. Wait at least 2 hours before topcoating.
How fast does it dry?
Tack free in 1 hour and ready to recoat in 2 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity. High humidity, cool temperatures and heavy coats take longer.
How cold can it be when I apply it?
The air and surface must be at least 10 °C (50 °F), and the surface no warmer than 32.2 °C (90 °F). Don't apply it in a cold basement or garage until it's warmed up.
How much do I need?
A 3.79 L can covers 400–450 sq ft, and an 18.9 L pail about 2,000–2,250 sq ft, in one coat. Use the calculator above for your room.
Can I spray it?
Yes. Brush, roll or spray it. For airless spray, use 1,500–3,000 PSI with a .013–.017 tip. Don't thin it. Clean up with warm soapy water, and give spray equipment a final mineral spirits rinse to prevent rust.
Sizes and shipping?
3.79 L and 18.9 L, in white. We ship across Canada, free on most orders over $249, or pick up free in Mississauga.
Prime and seal in one coat.
Not sure which primer your job needs? Ask our team. We've been helping painters and contractors since 1997.