Anytime you refinish or repaint your vehicle, a primer is required as a foundation for the lacquers, enamels and top coats to adhere properly.
Based on the surface type, depending on whether it is metal, an etch, epoxy or urethane primer may be required in order to protect it from corrosion.
Preparation
As part of auto body work, repair, restoration or repainting a vehicle, using primer will become essential at some point during the process. Automotive primer acts as a buffer between bare metal or fiberglass surfaces and the top coat of paint allowing smoother sanding while improving adhesion for new paint jobs. There are various types of automotive primer available depending on your specific needs and the work being completed; an etch primer serves to protect steel against corrosion while urethane sealers act as strong adhesion layers that allow your finish adhere better when finishing over surfaces such as steel surfaces while strong adhesion layers ensure your new finish adheres properly when finishing off any projects or restoration efforts.
To prepare the surface for primer application, a high quality body filler or putty should be used to fill any dents, chips, scratches or other blemishes on it. Sand the area, using finer grit for rougher areas. Clean with waterborne cleaner once finished before allowing to dry completely before applying primer.
Spray guns should be tailored specifically for each application and tested using a small test panel to make sure all settings are optimal for creating an even flow of product with little overspray. Masking should also be employed to protect surrounding areas from overspray; tape should also be checked regularly as this helps create soft edges on masking lines.
Start at the back and work forward to apply your first coat of primer; this will ensure all areas are covered while any overlap is minimized. Allow enough time for flashing (usually five-10 minutes). Failing to allow enough flash time could result in increased sand-scratch swelling when you begin sanding repairs.
Primers should always be applied in two coats for any major repair or repainting project, providing maximum coverage, rust protection, and the ideal basis for your final paint job. However, one coat might suffice for spot touch ups if they do not expose bare metal or fiberglass surfaces.
Activator
When performing any type of bodywork or paint updates to your vehicle, primer may become essential at some point. This is particularly true if you’re removing rust or stripping away old paint to the bare metal; an auto primer ensures that new finishes adhere securely to both surfaces as well as providing a foundation for sanding and prep work. There are various kinds of primer available, so knowing when and why each one will best serve your project can make life much simpler.
Some primers require mixing together, while others need activators to help accelerate drying times and promote adhesion. Aerosol products make applying primer easy; you may even consider these for quick-drying purposes if sanding down to bare metal is involved or existing rust must be removed from surfaces before application of your chosen primer. Ultimately, your choice of primer depends on what preparation steps need to be undertaken, such as sanding down to bare metal or eliminating existing rust build-up.
Refinishing an older car that has previously been painted requires using an automotive gray primer with built-in rust inhibitor, such as the Eastwood 2-Component Gray Primer and Activator kit from Eastwood USA that comes complete with lifetime tech support via phone or email to help Do It Right.
Acrylic urethane primer surfacers provide another great choice, being highly flexible products designed to cover bare steel, body filler, epoxy and existing paint surfaces. Once applied they dry quickly for fast painting; can be wet sanded within 30 minutes and block sanded three to four hours later; easy application using roller or spray gun and the final results will look as though you used professional HVLP spray gun!
Base Coat
If you are performing auto body repairs or paint updates on your vehicle, including sanding down to bare metal and/or removing any rust, then using an auto primer is necessary.
There is a wide variety of primers on the market today, each with their own set of qualities and functions. Most automotive primers come as two-part formulations with an activator and primer base to mix together before application; others may require specific mix ratios and come with easy instructions. Many products can even come in aerosol form for quick and effortless application.
Auto body primers feature outstanding adhesion qualities and are intended to form the basis for your car’s paint job. In addition, these primers also serve as fillers to conceal minor scratches, dents and blemishes on its surface. Many types of primer will require you to sand between coats in order to achieve a smooth and even surface.
Most auto primers feature excellent rust prevention qualities and some even boast anti-corrosive capabilities, however for projects involving corrosion or hard to repair areas where sanding down to metal has proven impossible, moisture cure urethane primers offer exceptional adhesion that allows easy sanding, dry quickly, and hold paint color very securely. If working on an especially sensitive project, consider opting for moisture cure urethane primer – they provide quick sanding action, quick drying times, and superior paint color retention capabilities than their predecessors do! Moisture cure urethane primers also allow easy sanding action while drying quickly compared to their counterparts!
When planning to tackle a large painting project, investing in a primer that allows multiple coats without drying in between can save both time and money while assuring an even, professional finish to your final paint job.
Primers typically come in white or gray hues and can be covered with an assortment of paint colors, but it’s important to remember that the hue of your primer can influence and ultimately show through when painting over it with other hues. If you use dark primer on a light vehicle or vice versa, this could create an uneven and noticeable line where the primer meets with topcoat paint layers.
Sealant
When performing bodywork or paint jobs on your vehicle, using primer may become essential. This is particularly the case if sanding down to bare metal or removing rust is part of the plan. There are various auto primer options available today each offering specific qualities and advantages that make their use worthwhile.
Your choice of primer depends on the nature and scope of your project; whether extra rust protection is needed or simply touch up. There are three primary car primer types – epoxy, urethane and polyester. Each provides different adhesion points for basecoat applications while helping prevent metal from rusting.
Epoxy primers are an ideal choice for repainting large surfaces on your vehicle. Sold in two parts, with the primer base and activator to be mixed before application, epoxy primers offer versatility on substrates such as fiberglass, fillers and steel; quick drying times provide the ideal foundation for further sanding or painting steps.
Urethane surfacer primers are another type of sprayable primer designed to work on various surfaces, from fiberglass and plastics to metal surfaces and even rust prevention. Urethane primer surfacers offer excellent sanding capabilities as well as being more brittle than epoxy and less protective than enamel primers; thus making them suitable for some situations over others.
Polyester primers feature what’s known as an “excellent build”, making them very thick, which allows them to fill scratches and dings on vehicle bodies quickly and efficiently. Plus, their smooth surfaces offer excellent adhesion for paint applications; making this primer suitable for both bare metal surfaces as well as those pretreated with urethane or epoxy primers.
When applying any of these auto primers, it is crucial that you follow the directions on the package exactly. Allow enough time for the primer to dry completely before beginning any major project; multiple coats may be needed depending on its size and scale.