Best Automotive Primers in 2022

Last update: January 19, 2023

Can you clear coat over primer?

Yes, you can clear coat over primer. Primer provides a good foundation for paint and gives it a smooth surface to adhere to. Clear coat will protect the paint and provide a shiny finish.

Can you paint over existing auto paint?

Yes, you can paint over existing auto paint, but it is not recommended. It is better to remove the old paint before applying new paint.

Can you paint over primer without sanding?

You can paint over primer without sanding if the primer is dry and you use the right type of paint. If the primer is oil-based, you'll need to use an oil-based paint; if the primer is latex, you'll need to use a latex paint. Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly before painting.

Can you put primer over paint on car?

If you want to paint your car, you will need to use a primer. You can either use a spray primer or a brush-on primer. If you are using a brush-on primer, you will need to apply it over the paint.


3M 08682 Single Step Primer - 30 ml Review:


My 1994 Merc Cougar's quarter windows were changed. A urethane seal and bolts are used to secure the window to the inner frame.The old urethane was removed with a window scraper. What I was unable to scrape off was helped to dissolve and smooth down with some wax and grease remover. The 3M 08682 Single Step Primer was what I used. The black primer applies like a smooth coat of black paint. It must be done correctly the first time. I cut a little foam paintbrush to size so it would fit inside the bottle. You must discard the brush since it becomes quite hard after drying. I painted the glass and the frame with primer.The 3M 08609 Windo-Weld is made of a thin aluminum tube that resembles a soda can. On the top of the tube is printed the expiration date. On the underside of the tube, there is a pull tab. Remove the pull tab before using. An inner platic seal for the caulk gun will be visible. With the caulk gun's punch tool, you can make a hole in the top tube. The 18:1 thrust ratio Newborn 250 was another purchase I made. I advise using this caulk gun. Urethane is really thick. Nitrile gloves should be worn when handling. I was able to get several bolts on my hands when hand-tightening the bolts on the second window. Through the bolt holes, urethane seeped out. To clean my hands, the wax and grease remover was quite helpful.For each window, I laid down a quarter-inch thread that measured 72 inches. I utilized, on average, 70% of the material for a total of 144 inches.It was my first time changing a car window or using a caulk gun or urethane. About $75 was spent on the caulk gun, urethane, priming, and window scraper. It feels good to complete it on your own. All the best to you.



3M Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating, Corrosion, Water and Salt Spray Resistant, 16 oz, 1 aerosol Review:


I ordered a can of QK and some 3M professional undercoating since I'm going to undercoat a few cars and I also want to reduce some road noise. I used acetone to clean the sheets. I applied two coats of QK to one 8" รƒโ€” 8" piece of 18 gauge sheet metal and two coats of 3M to the other to compare the results. (I gave Rustoleum truck bed coating a major thumbs down by spraying another sheet.) The QK arrived incredibly quickly, and the 3m sprayed more evenly.I bored a hole in the corner of each and strung them on a thread to act as sound deadeners. I then used a hammer to tap them. The 3M seemed to have a lower (duller) thump despite the fact that this test was quite close. I asked my wife and kid to choose a brand, and they both said 3M.Toughness: The sound persisted after sitting for three or four days. I followed that by scraping them with the tip of a screwdriver. With 3M, it required many back-and-forth movements to expose bare metal, and even then, it only did so at the screwdriver's tip. QK ascended in a single motion, pulling up a larger region to bare metal.I stopped there. No discernible difference in odour. I just know that. ordering additional 3M, at double the cost or at a third of the cost?Update: With regard to the Rustoleum, I leapt to conclusions. I sprayed a second layer on the sheet even though the Rustoleum truck bed coating goes on thin and runs quickly. I checked the sheet a few days later and it had produced a hard, smooth coat. I tested it a few days later. Despite having very little sound absorption, the coat is relatively smooth, harder than the other two, and as robust as the 3M when scratched with a screwdriver.



U-POL 0741V Acid#8 Etch Primer Gray Aerosol, 13 Fl Oz. Review:


Before I raptor lined my DIY camper trailer, it worked excellent on diamond plate. Once the primer has set, you can really scratch at it and it seems to really get a good bite on the aluminum. Speaking of aluminum diamond plate, I did use Home Depot's when priming my Tahoe to raptor line and that did work great in that application but for aluminum I'd go with this. I did run out of cans and chose to buy a can of Home Depot's self etching auto primer, but you for sure would have to rough up and clean the surface as that does not at all self etch compared to this. I'm happy with that if it works and I only have to do it once because I was on a deadline, but overall it seems to be a 5 star item that is a little pricy. Home Depot has worked on plastic wood and everything else I've put it on, and it's half off if I were doing anything else but aluminum.



Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional Primer, Self Etching/Weld Through Gray Review:


This is amazing stuff! On a significant welding project, I've used up around 8 cans of it, and it has performed above and above all expectations. When applied with a nice fan spray nozzle, I feel it goes on incredibly well. When welding through it, it dries rapidly and enables a predictable arc striking and excellent, clean weld bead. Nearly no material ever comes off around a weld after it has been made. Amazing product, a need for big projects where you need to cover unweldable parts during assembly.My one regret is that I didn't order more of it sooner. For my project, I was forced to use a local off-the-shelf item that was dreadful and cost approximately the same. It almost destroyed my project. Needless to say, I'm returning on this website right now to place several more orders so I can fill my garage shelves.



3M 03584 6 Pack 16 oz. Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating Review:


I ordered a can of QK and some 3M professional undercoating since I'm going to undercoat a few cars and I also want to reduce some road noise. I used acetone to clean the sheets. I applied two coats of QK to one 8" รƒโ€” 8" piece of 18 gauge sheet metal and two coats of 3M to the other to compare the results. (I gave Rustoleum truck bed coating a major thumbs down by spraying another sheet.) The QK arrived incredibly quickly, and the 3m sprayed more evenly.I bored a hole in the corner of each and strung them on a thread to act as sound deadeners. I then used a hammer to tap them. The 3M seemed to have a lower (duller) thump despite the fact that this test was quite close. I asked my wife and kid to choose a brand, and they both said 3M.Toughness: The sound persisted after sitting for three or four days. I followed that by scraping them with the tip of a screwdriver. With 3M, it required many back-and-forth movements to expose bare metal, and even then, it only did so at the screwdriver's tip. QK ascended in a single motion, pulling up a larger region to bare metal.I stopped there. No discernible difference in odour. I just know that. ordering additional 3M, at double the cost or at a third of the cost?Update: With regard to the Rustoleum, I leapt to conclusions. I sprayed a second layer on the sheet even though the Rustoleum truck bed coating goes on thin and runs quickly. I checked the sheet a few days later and it had produced a hard, smooth coat. I tested it a few days later. Despite having very little sound absorption, the coat is relatively smooth, harder than the other two, and as robust as the 3M when scratched with a screwdriver.



Dupli-Color CP199 Clear Adhesion Promoter Primer - 11 oz. Review:


I purchased this and have used it on every paint job I've completed to date. I can't speak to how well it performs in comparison to painting without any kind of adhesion promoter, but I do know that I painted my front and rear bumpers (which were chrome) and a replacement billet aluminum grille, and the paint has been on for months at this point. I haven't noticed any peeling or flaking, and everything continues to appear factory-made. The outcome was the same, even though I believe the paint and not my painting abilities was to blame. A fantastic appearance and no problems with anything I've painted so yet. I can only offer one application note. It was difficult (for me) to follow the coating as I went back and forth across anything large like a bumper since it blends right into the material I'm applying it to. This proves that you absolutely need the appropriate illumination for application. This can be substantially facilitated by good lighting at the appropriate angle. I heartily endorse this item.



SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. Review:


I have always purchased the least expensive brand of primer. My extremely costly original rims started to leak air due to corrosion brought on by Minnesota winters and the salt utilized. On the corrosion on the inside of the rims, I used a wire brush attachment on my drill, and I polished them as smooth as I could with emery cloth. Then I used acetone to clean. I looked at every option since I wanted to put something between the tire and the rim to protect it. I considered painting since powder coating required too much money and work. I read reviews claiming the durability of this primer. I painted the interior of my four 17" rims with around three coats, as directed on the tin. All I can say is that they turned out fantastic! I tried scraping the material off, but it would not budge. After having the tires mounted again, the leakage issue is no longer an issue. I also believe that because this particular sort of aluminum is porous, covering the inside was a wise precaution. Time will tell, but I'm only going to buy primer from this company moving forward.



VHT FP101 Gray 11 Ounce Scratch Sandable Filler/Primer Review:


I needed a primer with a little bit more "fill" so I could use it on plastic 3D printed items. My objective was to attempt to conceal as much of the "print lines" as I could.I tried the Dupli-Color after reading some recommendations online. The outcomes astonished and impressed me. It worked a lot better than I had anticipated, and with a few additional finishing touches, it produced components that are so flawless you wouldn't know they came from a 3D printer.I'm aware that using this primer in this manner isn't actually its intended use, but I still felt compelled to give it a positive review because it was so effective for me.When used in accordance with the directions, the can sprayed uniformly without streaks or drips and dried just as it should have.In the future, I'll use this brand and product with my printer for additional projects.



Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2 In 1 Filler and Sandable Primer Spray Paint, 12 oz, Gray Review:


The fact that this primer runs so easily is my sole criticism. I've used spray can paints a lot previously, so I don't apply thick applications like a moron. I've just discovered that this runs more frequently than most paints. Additionally, it doesn't do much to fill in the gaps because this is not a high-build primer. I was only successful in getting it to fill the tiniest scratches.Nevertheless, it worked effectively as a primer because the paint adhered to it extremely well and held up well even after numerous washings and exposure to the outdoors.



Dupli-Color EBPR00310 Gray Perfect Match Scratch Filler Primer - 8 oz. Aerosol Review:


Things function well. applied to a BMW. Although I would complement this product with some body filler putty, it effectively repairs deep scratches.1) Fill in deep scratches with body filler putty2) wipe off excess paint with paint leveler on a towel; 3) sand with grits ranging from 1000 to 3000; and 4) buff.4) After applying primer to the putty, wait 15 minutes.5) Reduce paint drips by sanding and buffing again but this time using only 3000 grit and only in one direction.6) Check that the surface is incredibly smooth and flawless; a solid prime job will yield a good final product.7) Verify that the sanding process left no dents or scratches. The primer should appear nice right now because it dries quickly and can be sanded.9) Apply the colorcoat on top of the primer and putty. You don't want to waste the colorcoat and keep sanding because you didn't use enough putty, primer, or sanding. LIGHTLY APPLY. thin covers No paint should drip. and squirt a long way.10) After 15 minutes, add the second colorcoat.11) Lightly apply the clearcoat in two coats, giving each coat 15 minutes to dry.Deep scratches have been eliminated.


Do I need to use sealer after primer?

Most primers are designed to be used under a sealer, but there are a few that can be used as a sealer themselves. If you're unsure, check the product label or ask the salesperson at the store.

Do you have to scuff primer before painting?

Primer is designed to adhere to surfaces and create a smooth base for paint. Most primers don't require scuffing before painting, but some surfaces may benefit from light scuffing with a fine-grit sandpaper to improve paint adhesion.

Do you rub down primer before paint?

Most primers are designed to be rubbed down before painting, but always check the manufacturer's instructions first. Rubbing down the primer will help to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and will also help to remove any dust or debris that may be on the surface.

Does automotive primer need to be sanded?

No, automotive primer does not need to be sanded.

Does primer need to be perfect?

How long do you let primer dry before painting a car?

After you have applied primer to a car, you should let it dry for 24 hours before painting. This will give the primer time to set and will prevent the paint from peeling.