Best Primer For Automotive Painting for 2023 (Review)

Sometimes it might be quite difficult to find the best primer for automotive painting. With every niche market offering so many different products, it makes sense that this is the case.

Unfortunately, this very fact can make it incredibly difficult to find the item that best suits your needs, which is why we’ve put together this primer for automotive painting buying guide.

Our 10 Favorites:

#	Preview	Product
1		Rust-Oleum 2081830 Stops Rust Automotive Primer, 12 Ounce, Light Gray, 12 Fl Oz	Check Price
2		Custom Shop - Black Epoxy Primer/Sealer 2.1 VOC (Gallon Kit) Anti-Corrosive DTM High-Performance...	Check Price
3		Rust-Oleum 2081830-6PK Stops Rust Automotive Spray Primer, 12 oz, Light Gray, 6 Pack	Check Price
4		SpeedoKote SMR-210/211 - Automotive High Build 2K Urethane Primer Gray Gallon Kit, Fast Dry, Easy...	Check Price
5		Rust-Oleum 253499 Automotive Premixed Auto Body Paint, Quart, Gray Primer 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)	Check Price
6		Custom Shop Premium Gray Self Etching Primer, 1 Gallon - Ready to Spray Paint, Excellent Adhesion to...	Check Price
7		Custom Shop - Gray DTM High Build Urethane Primer Surfacer (Direct to Metal) 2.1 VOC (1-1/4 Quart...	Check Price
8		Eastwood 2k Urethane Car Primer Gray 4:1 Gallon Automotive Primer Paint | Auto Primer Paint | Part A...	Check Price
9		Finish1 Sherwin Williams FP401 Gray Acrylic Primer Surfacer Auto Paint Restoration car Paint...	Check Price
10		Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 Filler & Sandable Primer, 12 Ounce (Pack of 1), Gray	Check Price

The 10 Top Primer For Automotive Painting Reviews:

SaleBestseller No. 1

Rust-Oleum 2081830 Stops Rust Automotive Primer, 12 Ounce, Light Gray, 12 Fl Oz

• Primer spray paint is suitable for use on wood, metal and fiberglass surfaces
• Oil-based paint with Stops Rust formula provides rust resistant base coat for cars, trucks and other vehicles
• Covers up to 12 sq. ft. and dries to handle (and can be recoated) in 15 minutes
• High quality spray paint ensures long lasting, durable coating
• Flat finish provides superior adhesion and works with any topcoat

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SaleBestseller No. 2

Custom Shop - Black Epoxy Primer/Sealer 2.1 VOC (Gallon Kit) Anti-Corrosive DTM High-Performance Primer for Automotive and Industrial use Kit = 2 Qt. Epoxy Primer + 2 Qt. Epoxy Hardener (1-1 Mix)

• Custom Shop – KEP Series Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer / Sealer is a 1 to 1 Mix Ratio high performance primer specifically designed to be used  DTM (Direct to Metal).  KEP Series Primer contains an advanced resin technology system that offers superior adhesion to Bare Metal, Steel, Bare Aluminum, Fiberglass, Gelcoat. Body Fillers and most properly prepared Rigid Plastics and sanded OEM Finishes.
• KEP Epoxy Primer is Lead and Chromate Free and its formulation contains a rich blend of Anti-Corrosive additives to achieve maximum defense against rust and corrosion. It also offers excellent salt spray resistance and is a fast dry product.
• Custom Shop – KEP Series Epoxy Primer is great as a DTM primer but also can be used as an excellent sealer for all single stage Urethane and Basecoat Clearcoat.  If used as a sealer add 1/2 part of XR70 or UR70 reducer, topcoat or basecoat can be applied in 30 minutes. Using KEP allows for excellent topcoat gloss holdout.
• Available in Gray, Black and White in 1 quart kits, 2 quart kits, gallon kits and 2 gallon kits. Great for Automotive and Industrial applications. KEP is compatible with and can be top coated with most Automotive Paint brands like Custom Shop, Restoration Shop, PPG, House of Kolor, Valspar, etc.
• Lays down super smooth with an Easy ( 1 part to 1 part ) Mixing Ratio allows for more precise mixing, no induction time needed before application.  Pot life is 4 hours once mixed. Custom Shop – KEP Series Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer is a  2.1 VOC lbs/gallon product that can be used coast to coast.

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SaleBestseller No. 3

Rust-Oleum 2081830-6PK Stops Rust Automotive Spray Primer, 12 oz, Light Gray, 6 Pack

• Primer spray paint is suitable for use on wood, metal and fiberglass surfaces
• Oil-based paint with Stops Rust formula provides rust resistant base coat for cars, trucks and other vehicles
• Covers up to 12 sq. ft. and dries to handle (and can be recoated) in 15 minutes
• High quality spray paint ensures long lasting, durable coating
• Flat finish provides superior adhesion and works with any topcoat

Check Price

Bestseller No. 4

SpeedoKote SMR-210/211 - Automotive High Build 2K Urethane Primer Gray Gallon Kit, Fast Dry, Easy Sanding, Activator is included. For California, Delaware, or Maryland, order SMR-221/222.

• High Build Urethane Primer
• Great adhesion
• Fast Dry
• Easy Sanding
• Excellent value (cost)

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Bestseller No. 5

Rust-Oleum 253499 Automotive Premixed Auto Body Paint, Quart, Gray Primer 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

• Provides a durable, professional finish to automotive surfaces
• Acrylic lacquer formula goes on easily and comes ready to use
• Dries to the touch in 20 minutes and covers between 40-50 sq. ft. per quart
• Provides a touch, road-resistant coating that withstands everyday wear
• Usable in auto body spray systems

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Bestseller No. 6

Custom Shop Premium Gray Self Etching Primer, 1 Gallon - Ready to Spray Paint, Excellent Adhesion to Bare Metal, Steel, Aluminum, Fiberglass - Use on Automotive Car Parts, OEM Industrial Coating

• 1 Gallon (3.8 Liters) Can of GRAY - Custom Shop Premium Self-Etching Acid Etch Primer. Gray primer color. It etches and primes bare, rust-free metal in just one step.
• Premium Self-Etching Acid Etch Primer is a ready-to-spray, self-etching primer with tremendous adhesion and flexibility properties. It provides excellent adhesion to the following properly prepared substrates: steel, aluminum, fiberglass, previously painted surfaces, wood, and some plastics.
• It's a super primer with anti-corrosive properties, which makes it ideal for use over bare metals such as aluminum and steel. It’s a perfect primer for fleet and OEM manufacturers.
• This coating is fast drying and is sandable after 60 minutes. It also improves color holdout, gloss retention and has excellent inter-coat adhesion.
• Ideal for use on properly prepared truck beds before the application of truck bed liner coatings. This primer works excellent under all major brands of truck bed liner coatings like Custom Coat, UPOL Raptor, and Gator Guard.

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Bestseller No. 7

Custom Shop - Gray DTM High Build Urethane Primer Surfacer (Direct to Metal) 2.1 VOC (1-1/4 Quart Kit) Fast Dry High-Performance Primer for Automotive & Industrial use Kit includes 1-1/4 Quart of DTM Primer

• Custom Shop – DTM Series High Build Urethane Direct to Metal Primer Surfaceris a 4 to 1 Mix Ratio high performance primer specifically designed to be used  DTM (Direct to Metal) .  DTM Series Primer contains an advanced resin technology system that offers superior adhesion to Bare Metal, Steel, Bare Aluminum, Fiberglass, Gelcoat, Body Fillers and many properly prepared Rigid Plastics and sanded OEM Finishes.
• DTM High Build Primer is Lead and Chromate Free and its formulation contains a rich blend of Anti-Corrosive additives to achieve maximum defense against rust and corrosion while adding the benefit of outstanding adhesion. DTM also offers easy High Build Properties and is a fast dry product. Easy to Sand in as soon as 3 hours
• Custom Shop – DTM Series Primer is great as a DTM primer with an easy 4 to 1 Mix Ratio. And a low 2.1 Voc that can be used Coast to Coast
• DTM Primer Surfacer is Available in Primer Gray with 1-1/4 Quart and 1-1/4 Gallon kits available. Great for Automotive and Industrial applications. DTM is compatible with and can be top coated with most Automotive Paint brands like Custom Shop, Restoration Shop, PPG, House of Kolor, Valspar, etc.
• Custom Shop DTM High Buid Primer Surfacer offers superior sanding characteristics and excellent Topcoat Gloss holdout. Allow prime 2-3 hours drytime before sanding and topcoating.

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Bestseller No. 8

Eastwood 2k Urethane Car Primer Gray 4:1 Gallon Automotive Primer Paint | Auto Primer Paint | Part A 50240ZP

• HIGH-BUILD URETHANE PRIMER is a versatile surfacer that can be applied over bare metal, body filler, epoxy primer, existing paint and much more. Since the primer is sandable and fills imperfections as you spray, it’s great if you want to get an older surface perfectly smooth.
• REQUIRES ACTIVATOR 50241ZP (sold separately ): Our 2-component gray automotive primer kit is made in the USA with excellent color holdout at temperatures up to 150 degrees. A gallon of primer mixes 4:1 with the activator to create five sprayable quarts, which covers 140 square feet — more than enough for the average car or small truck
• EASTWOOD QUALITY: Eastwood offers solutions which combines our 4,000+ unique products with the know-how to “Do The Job Right”. With an In-house product design, development and testing and a strong track record of high-quality, innovative products. Used and trusted by top builders to beginners and also provides a Lifetime Tech Support.
• SAFETY INFORMATION: Always wear eye, skin and respiratory protection when applying this product. Use in well ventilated area. Always wear eye, skin and respiratory protection. Consult MSDS and Product Data Sheet for specific saefty instructions. This Item Does Not Ship To California Due To State Regulations
• WARRANTY: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Since 1978. We stand behind our solutions and customers. Comes with a 90-day limited warranty and 90-day return.

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Bestseller No. 9

Finish1 Sherwin Williams FP401 Gray Acrylic Primer Surfacer Auto Paint Restoration car Paint Supplies

• sherwin williams,finish1,acme automotive,gray acrylic primer surfacer,car paint,restoration auto paint supplies,

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Bestseller No. 10

Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 Filler & Sandable Primer, 12 Ounce (Pack of 1), Gray

• Filler and sandable primer is suitable for use on wood, metal and fiberglass surfaces
• Oil based 2 in 1 paint with Stops Rust formula saves time and provides rust resistant base coat for cars, trucks, and other vehicles
• Covers up to 10 sq ft and dries to the touch (and can be recoated) in 10 minutes
• Filler and sandable spray paint fills minor surface imperfections and sands smooth
• Provides superior top coat adhesion and flat finish yields a smooth surface when sanded

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Last update on 2023-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to find the best primer for automotive painting?

Here, we’ll be going over a number of factors that you can use to ensure that you’re purchasing the best primer for automotive painting for you.

Regardless of which type of item you’re looking to buy, chances are that there are existing buying guides on the internet, all of which aim to give you good primer for automotive painting recommendations.

Despite these recommendations, however, it’s always a good idea to do your own research. In addition to this research, asking yourself the following questions is also super helpful:

• What features does the primer for automotive painting need to have to be perfect for my needs?
• What is my budget?
• Do I need to purchase a certain brand?

Once you’ve answered these questions and have a good idea of what you’re looking for and the buying process becomes much easier. Keep in mind that when looking for the best product, there’s no need to rush. In fact, very rarely are the ideal products found by choosing the first one you see or by basing your decisions on only one factor. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Now, with the answers to the previous questions in mind, we urge you to use our upcoming buying guide for primer for automotive painting to find what you’re looking for:

Brand

In some cases, the brand of primer for automotive painting is very important. For example, if you’re looking for an item that works in tandem with another, you might very well need both products to be the same brand. If this is the case, it’s vital to pay attention to this factor, as choosing the wrong product can mean the difference between wasting your money and buying a great product that functions as it should.

Features

The features in any given primer for automotive painting are important because they can dictate which version of an item you need and how much money you need to spend. Consider all the key features that you want your item to have and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t check at least ¾ of your boxes.

Reviews

Customer reviews about primer for automotive painting are crucial – especially when you’re buying a product that costs a lot of money or serves a big importance. Luckily, most products can be found online, which means that it’s common for there to be scores of customer reviews from those who have already purchased any given product.

Pay attention to these reviews. Take note of the pros and cons that they mention, and factor these into your big decision. In some cases, you’ll be forced to sacrifice one con in order to gain a particular pro, but being aware of the potential con is going to be beneficial in either case.

Quality

Of course, quality is key. You don’t want to purchase a low-quality product. If you do, you run the risk of your item breaking, not working properly, or otherwise proving to be very disappointing, as well as a waste of money.

You can compare primer for automotive painting quality by researching what your potential purchases are made from, contrasting the individual items against each other to discern which one is made of the best materials.

Warranty

Warranty isn’t always going to be important, but it definitely can be. This is especially true if the item in question is tech-related or expensive. A good warranty will be valid for an extended time after purchase and cover a variety of problems ranging from item defects to random accidents, water damage, and other miscellaneous events that could ruin your product.

Conclusion

The quest to find the best primer for automotive painting can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. It can be made much easier by asking yourself a few simple questions and then thinking critically about the items you want to buy. Consider their features, quality, brand, warranty, and customer reviews and you’re more likely to make a great purchase.