Are you in the market for automotive primer? At Central Alberta Paint & Supplies, we understand the importance of the first coat. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll break down the common types of primer, what to consider when picking one, and highlight some of our best sellers. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Automotive Primer
While the primary job of an automotive primer is to create a smooth surface for paint, they also help paint adhere, fill in minor scratches, protect against rust, and ensure the colour on top looks its best. Without primer, paint can peel, bubble, or look uneven. Learn more: Do You Need to Use a Primer Before Spray Painting a Car?
Common Types of Primers
With many different types of primers on the market, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Let’s break down the most common automotive primers and how they are commonly used:
- Epoxy: Looking for something affordable, multi-use, and great for beginners? Epoxy is probably the right choice for you. It offers superior adhesion and rust protection on bare metal, plastic, and painted surfaces. However, keep in mind that epoxy can be hard to sand. If you plan on doing any bodywork or shaping, we recommend either completing that before sealing or applying a high-build primer on top.
- Acid Etch Primers: Etch primers use acid to chemically adhere to bare metal, creating a strong bond for later layers. They’re especially useful on steel or aluminum, where rust is a common problem.
- High-Build Primers: Need to fix small flaws quickly? High-build primers are thick and fill in imperfections fast. They’re ideal when you’re on a tight schedule or dealing with minor surface issues.
How to Choose the Right Automotive Primer for You
- Pair Your Primer Type with Basecoat & Clear Coat
Always match your primer type to your topcoat. If you’re using a 1K (single-component) acrylic or enamel paint, use a 1K primer. For 2K (two-component) basecoats and clear coats, select a 2K primer. Beware: we recommend never applying a 2K topcoat over a 1K primer, since combining two types can cause significant issues.
- Determine Your Project Type
This is the most crucial step in choosing a primer. Early in the process, clearly identify what kind of surface you’ll be painting and your needs. For example, professionals recommend the following primers in these circumstances:
- Priming over body filler: Choose a high-build option to fill low spots and create a uniform, level surface. Epoxy primers can also be used in these situations, offering long-term protection and rust resistance. But remember to avoid epoxy if you’ll be doing extensive sanding or shaping!
- Priming over metal: When dealing with bare metal, aluminum, or stainless steel, you’ll need to find a way to help your paint adhere to this surface. You should use an acid etch primer in either 1k or 2k varieties.
- Priming plastic: While you can use a dedicated plastic primer, epoxy primers also work well over plastic
- Understand Any Specific Needs
As we’ve already discussed, you’ll need to consider build capabilities and sanding abilities when selecting an automotive primer. Ask yourself: How much fill do I need? What is more important: build or protection? This will help you narrow things down. Similarly, if you plan on sanding a lot, pick something like urethane and polyester primers, which are easy to get smooth.
The Best Primers at Central Alberta Paint & Supplies
- Endura: Looking for the best bang for your buck? Endura’s epoxy primer is the product for you! One of our top sellers, this automotive primer offers superior corrosion protection and also provides medium build.
- ABX: Looking for something with high build capabilities? We stock a top-notch primer from ABX that offers high-quality filling, efficient drying, and excellent adhesion. Learn more by checking out our product catalogue.
- Automotive Art: Another one of our best sellers, this epoxy primer is used for showroom-quality results on properly prepared substrates.
Start Your Project Right with CAPS
To find the perfect primer, ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the surface like?
- What will you be painting?
- How much filling do you need?
- What topcoat will you use?
- How fast do you need the job done?
You can easily and quickly determine which automotive primer is right for you by answering these five simple questions. If you are still unsure, don’t worry–the experienced sales team at CAPS is ready to help! We’ll talk to you about your project and provide custom recommendations based on your needs. Plus, with thousands of products in stock now, we’ll ensure you get what you need quickly! Ready to get started? Visit us at our Edmonton or Red Deer location or order your primer online today.