Which car and motorcycle paint primer to choose ?

Our offer for body paint primers form a range of professional aerosol or pot products. Theses primers are generally used in the phases of preparatory work for painting on cars, motorcycles, bicycles... and also on many other materials in many fields of activity. 

Behind the general term “primer” hides a variety of products whose function is: either to level or to adhere.

When do you need a primer?

✅ this is necessary on raw and bare material (metal, plastic, glass, carbon)
✅ this is necessary on a scratched and damaged surface or on putty
✅ it is highly recommended below a car or motorcycle color code paint
❌ this is not necessary on a paint, resin or gelcoat

Is one primer enough?

♣ It is therefore often necessary to apply both a primer to adhere, and a primer to level and perfect the surface. Using a specific primer ensures good hold over time by avoiding detachment.

Here is the list of primers and primers for all types of supports:

► Normal or rapid surfacer filling primer
► Primer for metals – different types
► Primer for chrome
► Carbon primer
► Primer for plastic
► Primer for glass and ceramics
► Primer for concrete
► Primer for leather
► Primer for wood
► PVC primer

See details below.

3 important tips:

♣ Know exactly the type of materials before starting a painting job!
♣ Take care in preparing the surface: applying a primer does not do all the work!
♣ Always apply as little thickness as possible to avoid detachment.

What is a primer?
Paint primers include all the products (primers and primers) which constitute the primary and preparatory layer before the application of the paint, on all the materials that we wish to paint?
They prime and form the preparatory layer to adhere, protect from oxidation or level. An effective primer can rarely perform these 3 functions at the same time!

How to choose the right body paint primer?

For each type of material, only one specific primer corresponds. For example, we have in our range all the products for hanging on glass, ceramics, plastics, metals, carbon, wood...

⚠ Why is it recommended to use a specialized primer rather than a general or “universal” primer?

Spray primers, used in the field of bodywork and also any field where painting is involved (decoration, furniture, model making, marine, etc.), have adhesion and general anti-corrosion products more or less satisfactory, but their main function is above all to level, using a thick layer, to create a perfect surface after sanding.

If you want to do high quality work, with guaranteed adhesion and maximum durability, we recommend using a primer specially dedicated to the material, then a topping surfacer primer to level the surface. This is particularly important on specific materials that are difficult to hang, such as aluminum or plastic for example.

Here is a summary description of the different types of primer in pots, and can of primer for the bodywork.

Classic primers

Primers are “surfacers” or filling products whose purpose is to modify the surface condition much more than to stick. They have a significant thickness which makes it possible to fill, garnish and resurface all surface defects (scratches, micro holes, putties, unevenness, etc.).
Most bodywork primers provide good adhesion to sheet metal, i.e. ferrous metals. However, their effectiveness is poor on all other supports such as non-ferrous metals or plastics. Their anti-corrosion and minimal power.

There is a very thick primer and a thinner quick primer. Their texture is light and thick because the primers are intended to be removed by abrasion. They must dry quickly and sand them easily. As many coats as necessary can be applied to prime an irregular surface.

There is no such thing as a “self-leveling” primer, meaning you cannot paint directly over a primer. It is always necessary to wait for complete drying and sand with P320 then P500.

Primers also have the function of creating a base coat of homogeneous color which will allow the application of a paint with obtaining the right color. We offer them in different colors of white, shades of gray (RAL 7016, 7035, 7040...) and black.

Primers are available as one-component or two-component. Two-component versions are generally more efficient and thicker professional versions.

Primers for metals

Primers for metals have a dual function which is both to be able to adhere to bare metal but also to provide lasting protection against corrosion.

When you have to carry out painting work on a metal surface, it is essential to know the nature of this metal.

There are different types of primers for different metals:

► Ferrous metals: anti-corrosion and adhesion primer AS801

► Non-ferrous metals: these are alloys, aluminum, zinc, galvanized... There is a phosphating primer in a spray or pot effective on all these metals and which is also effective on steel, iron .

► Epoxy primer 294 it is a high-performance adhesion primer that adheres and protects metals in the most extreme conditions. It is a 2-component product used when the level of requirements is the highest in terms of durability and protection.

The adhesion primer for chrome

This metal is probably the hardest and strongest among metals. No primer can adhere properly and permanently to its surface. The SILAX primer is the only primer that offers direct adhesion and constitutes an alternative to stripping and sanding on all chrome. It is a transparent and very thin primer, which has a temperature resistance of 300°C. This primer can be covered directly with paint in a fairly short time as it dries very quickly.

Primers for plastic

We should talk more about plastics rather than plastic, because there are a variety of different plastics that have different properties. There are plastics that are very easy to hang while there are plastics that are very resistant and very difficult to adhere: this is particularly the case for plastics used both for Quads and for bumpers, namely polyethylene and polypropylene. Stardust is a specialist in the field of plastics processing and offers the first adhesion promoter for PP PE plastics, which works naturally on all other plastics. We draw your attention to the fact that, in the field of plastics, the preparation of the support before the application of the adhesion primer is very important.

The primer for carbon

This very specific primer is used more and more, particularly in the world of cycling. Carbon frames require a special adhesion primer to guarantee good adhesion over time and avoid paint peeling in the event of impacts.
Carbon adhesion primer is a kind of two-component transparent varnish, which is available for application by spray gun or spray paint. It is necessary to let it dry completely after application, then sand it before covering it.

Primer for glass and ceramic

All surfaces such as glass, bottles, flasks, vases, etc. are vitrified, shiny and hard surfaces obtained by firing at high temperatures. These materials are difficult to hang and all paints will peel off if a glass adhesion primer is not used.
We offer both an adhesion varnish for glass and ceramics, but also a one-component, transparent primer, which is applied just before applying the paint. Glass surfaces simply need to be prepared with a good cleaning or degreasing. It is possible to use a flame to promote adhesion before applying the primer.

Primer for concrete

This is a 2-component epoxy lacquer. This product is widely used in parking lot floors. The epoxy formula provides its natural adhesion properties, but also resistance to all wear and tear, from water to chemicals, acids or fuels. The concrete primer will effectively infiltrate the concrete during its first coat (more diluted) and will then form a thick, shiny and resistant second coat.

Primer for wood

Wood is not a difficult material to hang or adhere to: on the contrary, it is a very porous material which allows any product to be absorbed.
Wood should always be primed before painting, because wood drinks! There are different primaries on our site. It is perfectly possible to use a filling primer to create a leveling layer which will effectively impregnate the wood to make it non-porous.
We offer an epoxy impregnation primer for wood 1010: it is an odorless and solvent-free varnish, with 2 components, which allows you to obtain a shiny layer and to impregnate the wood deeply.

Primer for leather

This product is used in the world of clothing and fashion. It is effective both on natural leathers and also on synthetic leathers. It can be used, for example, on boots or on vehicle seats. It is a transparent primer that can be tinted. It comes in several versions, solvent-based or water-based. One of its main properties is its flexibility.

Primer for PVC

Here is a plastic like no other, for which there are different versions, hard or soft. PVC is used both in the manufacture of dolls and in the manufacture of equipment for flexible covers for swimming pools. It is a particularly durable and resistant plastic. There is a unique and specific product, which is similar to liquid PVC. This liquid PVC primer melts directly with the PVC on contact. It forms a very resistant and very flexible layer which dries immediately. This product exists in the form of a transparent or colored primer.

Application Tips

Above all, we advise applying the minimum quantity necessary; it is not recommended to add too much primer, except in the case of filling primers, for which the number of coats is unlimited. For better adhesion, we always recommend applying a light, superficial adhesion veil beforehand, before applying one or two normal coats a few minutes later.
Whatever your area of specialty and whatever your current project, take a few minutes to discover the incredible collection of specific primers available in our “body paint primer” category.

Covering

A spray of primer is necessarily intended to be covered and for this, it is always important to have perfect cohesion between the layers. Membership will avoid possible detachments in the future. To allow adhesion, there are two ways of covering a primer, either very quickly after application, that is to say within 5 to 10 minutes, this is what we call wet on wet, or after an indefinite and unlimited time, after letting the primer dry completely and sanding it with 500 grit. You should never sand above this grain, because beyond 500, adhesion decreases.

Two versions: 1 component or 2 componentsSpray primers are offered in two versions, either one-component or two-component for “professional quality”.
It should be specially noted that for primers, it is not necessarily necessary to have two components to have a high level of adhesion. The addition of a hardener provides thickness and resistance, for example for filling primer aerosols, the hardener allows a significant load and thickness.
On the contrary, for metals, we offer 3 specific, single-component primers: to adhere, it is neither necessary nor recommended to apply a great thickness, as these can cause delamination.

Mixing and diluting car, motorcycle or bicycle paint
Technique for preparing substrates
How do I paint over stickers or adhesives ?