"Of course this begs the question of why one would use a relatively expensive paint as a primer, instead of buying a less-expensive primer, ....

Small projects might require a total of a can of paint. If you buy primer and finish paint, you have two half-cans left over.

Ionized - good point. I tend to end up using in some other project whatever I didn't finish in the project for which I bought the material (especially when it comes to primer), but I can see how if your projects are very few and far between, you might not do that.

It would seem to be a compromise. I don't know any paint chemists, but without any specific knowledge, my assumption would be that primer is formulated to stick to anything and to the finish coat. In order to do that in an excellent way, you might have to compromise on other incompatible characteristics, like resistance to staining and marring,... and surface appearance. If you formulate the finish coat to stick to a good base and not "anything". You might have more room in the can, so to speak, to improve the other stuff.

paintguy, I believe you got it

ionized, I dont get it

Let me put it differently:

Primer should be good at sticking to many things and should not be expected to be good at anything else like looking good. Finish paint needs to look good and be durable. It need not and should not be expected to be good at sticking to anything but solid primer or other paint. It is not entirely unlike trying to make a product that is both a good dessert topping and a good floor wax.

simplified versions:

One paint can't do everything best.

In chemistry, and materials development, you often have to give up something to improve another characteristic.

Got it. Much clearer explaination( at least to me)

I should say that there are exceptions to the idea that you always have to give a little to get a little. Sometimes there are leaps in technology, that go beyond tweaks, allowing real big gains in the characteristics of products. I appreciate what the best chemists and materials scientists do.

If it aint broke dont fix it. If you find something that works good and has longevity, stick with it despite new technology hype.

If everyone had that kind of attitude, we would still be making paint out of stuff like milk and blood.

Here's another way to say it...

Behr Ultra might be a good paint for painting things which don't absolutely need primer, but which would be *best* primed. I still think that for something which *absolutely* needs one or more primer coats, a separate primer is probably best. That's why I used the Glidden Gripper for my glossy cabinet. It's an excellent primer for that purpose. I'd use Kilz or Zinsser where covering heavy staining is an issue.

I did find (as mentioned) that the Behr Ultra was (like primer) much thicker than regular paint and seemed to have good "gripping" power. I also found that I got a superior finish when compared to other latex paint I've used in furniture applications. Only time will tell if it is truly more durable than other paints, as they claim. But it seems to be superior in finish, but probably, primer-wise, inferior to other separate primers.

I plan to continue to use this paint for projects like this one. It definitely "feels" better than other latex paints, and I found it easier to control. I'm very pleased with the depth of color. My husband didn't want me to paint over the natural wood tone of the cabinet, but he was really surprised at the professional-looking finish, with even coverage and nary a drip to be found. For painting drywall walls in good condition, I see no significant benefits in using this paint over a regular paint.

One thing - as I think I mentioned, I selected a color from a chip which is only available in the "Premium Plus Ultra" chip display. It was a darker brown than was available in display for the regular paint. The paint guy said the colors could be mixed into any Behr paint... so if you do use Behr paint, be aware that there might be some new, superior colors in the "Ultra" display, and check it out.

The previous owner's painted the entire house with Behr Paint with Primer 2 years ago when this house was offered for sale.

What they failed to do was prep the high gloss oil base painted walls prior to using the Behr. The Behr peels off with no problem. So much so, that I actually peeled a mural on a kitchen wall!!

Obviously, there are people who don't understand that paint with primer does not take the place of proper preparation.

Now I have a three fold job: peeling, sanding and repainting. UGH

"Obviously, there are people who don't understand that paint with primer does not take the place of proper preparation."

THAT is the big problem. People see paint and primer in one and think they can just paint over anything .It is all a big marketing scheme and a bad one(IMO).There is NO primer in the can, never was never will be.