Why do you primer a car

What is primer paint and how to apply it to your car You are here Home What is primer paint and how to apply it to your car.

High-build primer has three main functions: To provide a relatively thick coating which will fill any small imperfections eg. To provide an element of stone chip resistance; if a stone penetrates the top-coat, the high-build primer has an element of elasticity to absorb the impact, preventing the chip from penetrating through to the bare substrate underneath.

To provide a coating which can be sanded to give a smooth, sound base on to which colour coat can be sprayed. How To. Recommended for you. How to clean salt and grime off the car after winter.

Fall Cooling System Flush. How a brake caliper works and what happens when calipers go bad. November 12, Car lights and bulbs: the complete guide. Cars, tools and vans on YouTube: highlights from Haynes.

November 2, Primers can also come in paint buckets, like house paint. Generally, the primers sold in spray bottles are pre-mixed. While the pain bucket primers require mixing by the purchaser. Spray primers require just a pointing to the surface that needs to be painted, and the pressing of the spray nodule. But a primer in the bucket requires that you dip a paint brush int eh bucket and apply the primer on your brush. Decide on your preference and purchase accordingly.

If you notice that your current paint is falling, then yes, you can use your primer. Otherwise, there is no real need for you to do so. Just be sure that you have property and carefully sanded the car, before using your primer.

Sanding is important! You should spray your epoxy primer over a smooth media blasted surface. You can also spray it over a — grit-sanded area. This will give you great and proper bonding or adhesion.

Car primer is a bonding element. Quality primer enables a bonding or an adhesion between the paint that will be sprayed on top and the surface underneath. Simply follow the included instructions, and alter as necessary.

Others, like urethane primer, can require up to 4-parts mix ratio, but easy-to-follow instructions are provided. Still others come complete in aerosol form for quick and easy application. Once you've mixed your car primer paint, before you proceed with priming any part of your vehicle, you'll want to make sure you've accomplished a few preparatory tasks first:. Fill any large dents, dings, scratches, or pock marks on your vehicle's body, unless you've selected a primer that's known for good build, like polyester primer.

Sand down any blemishes or inconsistencies before priming, and especially after filling or using putty. Once you've completed the sanding and other prep, you'll want to make sure the vehicle's surface is as clean and free of particles as possible to allow for better contact. Give your vehicle a quick wash and spot clean any areas you may have sanded or ground down with a wet rag.

As always, allow the vehicle surface to dry completely before applying any type of paint or primer. How you apply the primer will depend on the scope and size of your project. If you're just performing small touch-ups, brushing the primer on by hand will definitely work, and you'll want to use smooth, even strokes to avoid visible lines in the end paint job. If you're going to be painting your entire vehicle or repainting larger portions of the car, using a spray gun will be your best option.

Always start with a clean spray gun, and keep a bucket of thinner on hand in which to soak spray gun parts as soon as you're finished to prevent build-up on your equipment. Once you've applied the auto primer, curing time will vary between types, so make sure you read labels and instructions.

Smears and poor curing jobs lead to poor paint jobs, so err on the side of caution if you're not certain the primer coat is completely dry and allow extra time if needed. The number of primer coats you'll need will also vary. For large areas and whole-body work, two coats is the standard. This allows maximum coverage and rust prevention, and provides the best base for paint adhesion.

For smaller touch-ups, use your best judgement. Only one good coat might be necessary. The kind of car paint primer you end up using will vary with your project needs. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products.

List of Partners vendors. Matthew Wright. Matthew Wright has been a freelance writer and editor for over 10 years and an automotive repair professional for three decades specializing in European vintage vehicles. Updated October 09, Featured Video. How to Paint Motorcycle Parts for Restoration. Painting and Sealing Motorcycle Fuel Tanks. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for LiveAbout.