Automotive Primers
Automotive Primers covers spray and brush-on primers, etching primers, and filler/sealer products for preparing metal and composite surfaces before painting. The 30 indexed products span budget through premium price points (avg $98) and include brands like Dupli-Color and Custom Shop
Top Products
Rust-Oleum Farm & Implement Enamel Primer 2pk, Gallon, Gray
Rust-Oleum
Mid-Range
U-POL Universal Adhesion Promoter, 12 oz, clear
U-POL
Budget
Dupli-Color Filler Primer Gray 11 oz aerosol
Dupli-Color
Mid-Range
Dupli-Color Filler Primer, Red 11 oz aerosol
Dupli-Color
Mid-Range
Dupli-Color BSP100 Gray Paint Shop Primer (32 oz)
Dupli-Color
Budget
Speedokote High Build 2K Urethane Primer Kit
Speedokote
Mid-Range
U-POL 1 Gallon Urethane Primer Kit with Hardener
U-POL
Mid-Range
Tape Primer 94 for challenging substrates, 1 qt
3M
Mid-Range
Eastwood 2K Epoxy Gray Primer, 12 oz
Eastwood
Mid-Range
CARPRO Essence: Extreme Gloss Primer
CARPRO
Mid-Range
Acme Sherwin-Williams Finish 1 FP410 Primer Quart Kit
Acme
Mid-Range
Eastwood 2K Urethane Gray Primer Aerosol
Eastwood
Mid-Range
Speedokote High Build Primer Gray Kit
Speedokote
Mid-Range
Evercoat Feather Fill G2 Premium Polyester Primer Surfacer
Evercoat
Mid-Range
LiME LiNE Urethane Reducer (B. Medium) for thinning auto coatings
LiME LiNE
Mid-Range
Eastwood 2K Epoxy Gray Primer aerosol
Eastwood
Mid-Range
LiME LiNE Urethane Reducer for auto basecoats
LiME LiNE
Mid-Range
Epoxy Fast Dry Primer & Sealer Gray Kit
Speedokote
Premium
Eastwood 2K Urethane Gray Primer Aerosol
Eastwood
Mid-Range
Custom Shop Epoxy Primer Sealer 1 QT High-Performance Kit
Custom Shop
Mid-Range
Custom Shop Gray Epoxy Primer/Sealer 1 Quart Kit
Custom Shop
Mid-Range
LAUCO 1K Gray Acrylic Primer Surfacer
LAUCO
Mid-Range
Eastwood 2K Epoxy Gray Primer Aerosol 12 oz (4 pack) for metal surfaces
Eastwood
Mid-Range
Custom Shop White Epoxy Primer/Sealer 2.1 VOC 1 Qt Kit
Custom Shop
Mid-RangeRoundups
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right type of automotive primer for my project?
Select primer based on substrate (metal, bare steel, aluminum, plastic, or existing paint), desired finish (high-build for filling, etching for bare metal), and compatibility with your topcoat—check whether the primer is epoxy, urethane, acrylic, or etch/cleaner-based and that it adheres to the materials you’re working on
Are there primers that work for both metal and plastic panels?
Some multi-surface primers are formulated for adhesion to both metal and plastics, but not all plastics are the same; look for primers that explicitly state compatibility with automotive plastics and, when in doubt, perform adhesion tests or use a plastic-specific adhesion promoter
What price range should I expect and does higher cost always mean better performance?
Automotive primers commonly span budget options under $50 up to professional-grade products over $150; higher cost can reflect specialized formulations, faster curing, or rust-inhibiting properties, but choose based on chemistry and suitability for your application rather than price alone