SICO Evolution (PPG) A true self priming paint. I've done a few posts on this product. Most astonishing of all, I buy it from RONA, a big box! The Timeless line by PPG was GREAT too but the discontinued it. PPG has been re-engineering paint rather than just changing the labels.

 

What is the actual question?

 

No actual question. I think he MAY be looking for a true self priming paint but the post is so brief it's difficult to tell.

 

Think the op just wanted opinions on p&p in one paints.

 

Whoops, I mistook Mike California for the OP.

 

I think ultimately "paint and primer in one" only means you can go over bare drywall or skimcoating/patchwork without priming. It doesn't mean you can paint over glossy oil based paint without sanding or priming, it doesn't mean you can paint over smoke damage, heavy staining or grease without priming without priming, it doesn't mean you can paint over knots in wood, etc, etc, the list goes on and on.

https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/assets/production/datasheets/TDS_0548/N548_TDS_US.pdf

Even if you get what would be considered on here a "gold standard" of "paint and primer in one" Regal Select, you'd notice the data sheet says you need primer over a lot of different surfaces.

Primer Systems
Regal® Select is self‐priming on most properly
prepared surfaces. While the high quality of our
products sometimes makes one‐coat coverage
achievable, Benjamin Moore® recommends two
coats to achieve full color development and to
optimize performance. On bare substrates, two
coats are recommended; previously painted
surfaces can be finished with 1 or 2 coats.

Special Note: Certain custom colors may require a
Deep Base Primer tinted to a special prescription
formula to achieve the desired color. Ask your
retailer about our special purpose primers if the
surface to be painted is water stained, smoke
damaged, grease stained or very slick.

Wood, and engineered wood products:
Self‐priming

Bleeding Woods (Redwood, Cedar, etc.):
Fresh Start® Undercoater and Primer/Sealer (032)
or Fresh Start® High‐Hiding All Purpose Primer (046)

Drywall:
Self‐priming

Plaster (Cured):
Self‐priming

Rough or Pitted Masonry:
Ultra Spec® Masonry Interior/Exterior High Build
Block Filler (571)

Smooth Poured or Pre‐cast Concrete:
Self‐priming

Ferrous Metal (Steel and Iron):
Ultra Spec® HP Acrylic Metal Primer (HP04) or
Super Spec HP® Alkyd Metal Primer (P06)

Non‐Ferrous Metal (Galvanized & Aluminum):
All new metal surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned
with Corotech® Oil & Grease Emulsifier (V600) to
remove contaminants. New shiny non‐ferrous
metal surfaces that will be subject to abrasion
should be dulled with very fine sandpaper or a
synthetic steel wool pad to promote adhesion.
Ultra Spec® HP Acrylic Metal Primer (HP04)

Repaint, All Substrates:
Prime bare areas with the primer recommended
above for the substrate.

And SW says pretty similar stuff for even Emerald, let's say.

SPECIFICATIONS
Emerald Interior Latex can be used directly
over existing coatings, bare drywall, or
plaster (cured with a pH of less than 9).

Drywall:
Self-prime using 2 coats of Emerald Interior
Latex
or
1 coat Premium Wall & Wood Primer
2 coats Emerald Interior Latex

Masonry - Block: (can be filled to provide a smooth
surface or primed if it a high pH substrate)
1 coat Loxon Acrylic Block Surfacer
or
1 coat Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer
2 coats Emerald Interior Latex

Plaster:
Self-prime using 2 coats of Emerald Interior
Latex
or
1 coat Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer
2 coats Emerald Interior Latex

Wood:
1 coat Premium Wall & Wood Primer
2 coats Emerald Interior Latex
If the wood has bleeding (such as tannin or knot-holes),
prime with Multi-Purpose Primer.

Other primers may be appropriate.

When repainting involves a drastic color
change, or coating over heavily stained areas,
a coat of primer will improve the hiding
performance of the topcoat color

The other fairly obvious thing too, is there situations where primer saves you money on the topcoat, by sealing in the surface well enough so you use less topcoat. Say you're using BM 508 ceiling paint, it could theoretically self prime, but you're looking at $50-60 a gallon for ceiling paint, and self priming with it may still turn out flashy/etc. So you're better off using a $20-30 a gallon primer with it, then potentially using half or even a third of the amount of actual paint you would have used from having a more sealed and less thirsty surface that won't take up paint as much.

 

Try reading the TDS on PPG's SICO Evolution, it really is vpaint and primer in one. Though, I always do a sanding before applying any primer to a previously oil paint surface.

 

Primers: This paint may be used as a primer coat on bare areas or total surface.
However, for optimum results, especially on tough stains or on very porous or
absorbent surfaces, it is recommended to apply the suitable basecoat.
Bare wood: If wood exudes resin, scrape the excess and clean surface with alcohol or
paint thinner. Seal knots and sap streaks with shellac before applying the product.
Apply GOPRIME 150-135 or 200-135. When applied to an uncoated substrate or to
bare wood, two coats are required with the first coat acting as the primer. On plywood
and on bleeding woods, such as cedar and mahogany, use GoPrime 200-135.
Tough stains or on very porous or absorptive repairs: For optimal results, locally
apply one coat of Sico Evolution or of GoPrime primer 190-135 or 150-135.
Concrete, Stucco or Masonry: Plaster, concrete and masonry must be completely dry,
free of efflorescence and allowed to cure for 30 days prior to painting. No specific
primer is required; the first coat of this product is used as the primer.
New galvanized metal: GoPrime 190-135.
Previously painted latex surfaces in good condition: No primer is required.
Touch-up: If the touch-up remains apparent, apply an additional coat on same area or
on entire surface.
Previously Painted Alkyd Surfaces in Good Condition: Prime surface with GoPrime 150-135 or 190- 135, prime with GoPrime 150-135
door and trim areas previously painted with aged alkyd-based paints

Pretty much the same thing as all the other paints really. I'm sure the Sico Evolution is fine paint and you like it a lot, but I'm guessing there's nothing really actually special about it, it's just paint. We can't get it in USA, but I doubt it's completely magical or anything.

One thing I do think you are right about, that is looked down on here, is box store paints are perfectly acceptable to use, and there's nothing intrinsically wrong with using a box store paint. I've used a ton, sometimes in a "professional" role but sometimes just in my own house, and they work, and in many cases are better than "professional" paints of the same price ranges. I used to love Valspar 2000, and thought it was better than Promar 200. Valspar Signature/etc is good stuff, too. Lately I actually even like Behr, Ultra Scuff while not being too nice to apply, looks good and has held up nice in my house, and done super well at a $45 or so price point. The Behr Urethane alkyd is a beautiful and hard drying trim paint that's very nice and easy to work with. Valspar's $30 a gallon latex bonding primer is probably the best latex primer in the biz right now except maybe Fresh Start 046.

There's other business relationship reasons not to use box store paints, but I think intrinsically it's all paint, and for the most part stuff will match what the MPI ratings will say they'll do.

 

What happened to RND? Yanked our chain & gone?

 

Marketing. Kinda like one coat coverage.

 

Actually, PPG has indeed, recreated paint that really is a paint that requires no primer. Their "Timeless" line was Terrific. Their "Paint & Primer in One" paints are astonishing! In the case of "Evolution", even though it is sold under the "SICO" label, sold at Big Box stores like RONA, it knocked my socks off on first use! I came to it during the "COVID" shortages and was having a difficult time filling a larger order. Threw in the towel and went to RONA, knowing they would have an abundance of anything they carried. Talk about Lucky! From the first room I loved that paint. IT IS NOT JUST MARKETING in the case of PPG. Sadly, timeless did not sell well, my local paint supplier said most painters rejected it on the price. (Was a big money saver if you needed to prime first!) I think the introduction of "Evolution" under the SICO label may be PPG seeing if this latest, cheaper formulation flies well before putting out a similar product under the Official PPG label. I purchased it because a great contractor demanded it, specifically. I his painted a Gazebo July 2018, No primer, light sanding & washing. I was still looking great by October 2022, when I returned to paint his soffits and gable ends, also done in Timeless. I am watching PPG product introductions closely. They have not bamboozled me yet! On their regular run of paints they do not promote them as self priming. Most other companies changed the labels and marketing BUT not the paint. PPG & Benjamin Moore are my favored, go to paints. (Benny has the best customer service, none barred!)

 

Seems to me that "Self Priming" is a better description. The marketing angle on paint and primer in one is to make people think their getting something extra for the same price.