INSL-X by Benjamin Moore · Reduced Odour RO-3000
Oil-based blocking.
Less of the smell.
Reduced Odour Oil-Based Primer seals water, smoke, soot, rust, ink and nicotine stains, including ones that bleed through water-based primers. It has lower odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers and is ready to recoat in 2 hours.
2 hrto recoat*
30 mintack free*
946 mL from
$249+ships free in Canada
*At 25 °C and 50% humidity. Interior; exterior spot priming only.
Reduced Odour, WhiteOil-based stain blocker
Plan my jobINSL-X Reduced Odour Oil-Based Primer (RO-3000)
Regular price
$26.40 CAD
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INSL-X Reduced Odour Oil-Based Primer (RO-3000) is a quick-drying alkyd primer-sealer from Benjamin Moore for stains that water-based primers can't hold. It seals water, tannin, smoke, rust, pencil, ink, nicotine and coffee stains, plus soot on fire-damaged walls, on bare or previously painted surfaces. It has lower odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers, so painting contractors use it in occupied homes, offices and schools. It's tack free in 30 minutes, ready to recoat in 2 hours, and takes latex or alkyd paint. White, in 946 mL, 3.79 L and 18.9 L.
Key Features & Benefits![]()
- Blocks tough stains: water, tannin, smoke, soot, rust, pencil, ink, nicotine and coffee.
- Lower odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers.
- Quick drying: tack free in 30 minutes, recoat in 2 hours.
- Seals porous surfaces with strong adhesion.
- Topcoat with latex or alkyd paint.
- MPI #45 listed.
Applications & Recommended Uses
Interior drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, acoustical tile, previously painted surfaces and wallpaper in homes, offices and schools, including smoke- and fire-damaged walls and ceilings. Outside, use it to spot-prime wood, shingles and composition siding only. Not for whole-house siding priming or for PVC or CPVC plastic.
Product Specifications
| Product type | Reduced odour alkyd primer-sealer |
| Sheen | Flat |
| Colour | White |
| Coverage | 325–425 sq ft (30.2–39.5 m²) per 3.79 L |
| Dry time (25 °C, 50% RH) | Tack free 30 minutes; recoat 2 hours |
| Application temperature | 7.2–32.2 °C (45–90 °F) |
| VOC | 345 g/L |
| Volume solids | 54% ± 2% |
| Application | Brush, roller, pad, or airless spray at 1,500–3,000 PSI with a .013–.017 tip |
| Clean-up | Mineral spirits |
| Certifications | MPI #45 |
| Sizes | 946 mL, 3.79 L, 18.9 L |
How to Use / Application Tips
- Prep: wash off dirt, wax and chalk, scrub stains, scrape loose paint and feather the edges.
- Apply at full strength in a well-ventilated room at 7.2 °C or warmer. Don't thin.
- Use 2 coats over tough stains, 2 hours apart.
- Topcoat with latex or alkyd paint after 2 hours, ideally within 48 hours. Clean up with mineral spirits.
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.
Reduced Odour Primer FAQ
1Will it block smoke stains?
Yes, including soot and smoke on fire-damaged walls.
2How soon can I topcoat?
2 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity.
3How do I clean up?
Mineral spirits, right after use.
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.
What it blocks
For the stains water-based primers can't hold.
Smoke, soot, rust and ink keep coming back through latex primers. This alkyd sealer locks them in, without the full smell of a traditional oil primer.
01
Tough stains
Water, tannin, smoke, rust, pencil, ink, nicotine and coffee, plus soot and smoke on fire-damaged walls.
02
Lower odour
Less odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers, so it suits occupied offices, schools and homes.
03
Quick drying
Tack free in 30 minutes, recoat in 2 hours. Seals porous surfaces with strong adhesion. Topcoat with latex or alkyd.
For interior drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, acoustical tile, painted surfaces and wallpaper. Outside, spot priming only on wood, shingles and composition siding. Not for PVC or CPVC. MPI #45.
Primer calculator
How much do I need?
Enter your room size. We'll work out the cans using 325 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
—
Just spot-priming a few stains? A 946 mL can covers about 80–105 sq ft. Smoke-damaged rooms? The calculator switches to the 18.9 L pail when it works out cheaper.
Compare
Which stain blocker do I need?
Oil-based, lower odour
INSL-X Reduced Odour
- Best for
- Smoke, soot, rust, ink and nicotine in occupied homes, offices and schools.
- What you get
- Alkyd stain blocking with less odour. Recoat in 2 hours.
- From
Water-based
INSL-X Max Block
- Best for
- Water stains, marker, crayon and tannin bleed, inside and out.
- What you get
- Low odour, under 50 g/L VOC, soap-and-water clean-up, topcoat in 1 hour.
- From
Oil-based undercoater
Fresh Start Undercoater K032
- Best for
- Bare wood and bleeding woods that need a traditional alkyd undercoat.
- What you get
- A Benjamin Moore oil-based undercoater and primer-sealer.
- From
Priming a mix of surfaces inside and out? See INSL-X Prime All.
Specs
The details.
| Type | Reduced odour alkyd primer-sealer and stain blocker (RO-3000) |
|---|---|
| Use on | Interior drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, acoustical tile, painted surfaces, wallpaper. Exterior spot priming on wood, shingles, composition siding |
| Not for | Whole-house siding priming; PVC or CPVC plastic |
| Colour | White |
| Sheen | Flat |
| Coverage | 325–425 sq ft (30.2–39.5 m²) per 3.79 L |
| Coats | 1, or 2 over tough stains |
| Dry time | Tack free 30 minutes. Recoat 2 hours |
| Apply at | 7.2–32.2 °C (45–90 °F) surface, air and paint temperature |
| VOC | 345 g/L |
| Volume solids | 54% ± 2% |
| Film thickness | 3.7–5.0 mils wet, 2.0–2.7 mils dry |
| Apply with | Natural bristle or solvent-rated nylon/polyester brush, roller, pad, or airless spray (1,500–3,000 PSI, .013–.017 tip) |
| Thinning | Do not thin |
| Topcoat | Latex or alkyd paint, after 2 hours (ideally within 48 hours) |
| Clean-up | Mineral spirits |
| Certified | MPI #45 |
Dry times at 25 °C and 50% humidity. Flammable. Store between 7.2 °C and 35 °C.
How to apply
Seal it in.
- Clean the surface. Wash off dirt, wax and chalk with a detergent solution and scrub stains well. Treat mildew with 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, then rinse and dry.
- Scrape and sand loose paint, feather the edges and wipe off dust with a tack rag. Remove loose wallpaper and paste.
- Ventilate the room and check it's at least 7.2 °C.
- Stir well and apply at full strength by brush, roller, pad or airless sprayer. Don't thin it.
- Topcoat after 2 hours with latex or alkyd paint, like Regal Select for walls, ideally within 48 hours.
- Clean up promptly with mineral spirits. Soak oily rags in water or lay them flat to dry before disposal.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is Reduced Odour Oil-Based Primer?
INSL-X Reduced Odour Oil-Based Primer (RO-3000) is a quick-drying alkyd primer-sealer from Benjamin Moore's INSL-X line. It seals a wide range of stains, including some that water-based stain blockers have trouble with, on bare or painted surfaces. It has lower odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers, so it suits occupied offices, schools and homes.
What stains does it block?
Water, tannin, smoke, rust, pencil, ink, nicotine and coffee stains, plus soot and smoke on fire-damaged walls. Scrub stains with a detergent solution first. Tough stains may need two coats.
Oil-based or water-based stain blocker?
Choose this oil-based primer for the tough stains that bleed through water-based primers, like heavy smoke, soot and rust. For everyday water stains and marker with low odour and soap-and-water clean-up, INSL-X Max Block is the easier choice. Ask us if you're not sure.
Is it really low odour?
It has lower odour than other INSL-X alkyd primers, but it's still a solvent-based product. Use it in a well-ventilated area and keep containers closed.
What surfaces can I prime?
Interior drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, acoustical tile, previously painted surfaces and wallpaper. Outside, use it only to spot-prime wood, shingles and composition siding, not to prime a whole house. It's not recommended for PVC or CPVC plastic.
How soon can I paint over it?
Tack free in 30 minutes and ready to recoat in 2 hours at 25 °C and 50% humidity. Topcoat with latex or alkyd paint, ideally within 48 hours. Cool or humid weather takes longer.
How warm does it need to be?
The surface, air and paint must be between 7.2 °C and 32.2 °C (45–90 °F).
How much do I need?
A 3.79 L can covers 325–425 sq ft, a 946 mL can about 80–105 sq ft, and an 18.9 L pail about 1,600–2,100 sq ft, per coat. For spot-priming stains, a 946 mL can goes a long way. Use the calculator above for whole rooms.
How do I clean up?
Clean brushes, rollers and spray equipment promptly with mineral spirits; dried primer is hard to remove. Oily rags can catch fire on their own, so soak them in water or lay them flat to dry before you throw them out.
Sizes and shipping?
946 mL, 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.
Lock in the toughest stains.
Not sure which primer your job needs? Ask our team. We've been helping painters and contractors since 1997.