Automotive primer: types, properties, applications, prices

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

If the builder has conscientiously treated the creation of the foundation, then the house will serve its owner reliably and for a long time. As for the car, the automotive primer can also be considered the foundation for subsequent paint work. Also, such compounds protect the metal parts of the machine from the harmful effects of corrosion. Car owners who want a quality paint finish will never skimp on primers because they are the foundation of everything.

What is a primer?

This is a special compound that is applied to the body before the final painting is done. This type of coating differs from paints and car enamels by higher adhesion to metal, plastic or putty. It is a solid foundation. Automotive primer - a whole series of products. There are several types of these compositions: epoxy-based primers, levelers, sealants and other mixtures.

Epoxy primers

Epoxy type –anti-corrosion compound. This type of primer is able to provide a high-quality and reliable protective coating for steel. Epoxy primer contains special resins and high quality additives. They can be applied to all vehicles. The paint is applied directly to the composition. Epoxy primer for cars is not applied independently. It must be mixed with hardeners. Sometimes you can find these products in cans. Price from 350 rubles. for 1, 21 kg (brand Vika, Russia).

Reactive soils

These mixtures are also excellent as anti-corrosion protection. The compositions are based on polyvinyl resins. Such an automotive primer is perfectly retained on a variety of materials. The high level of versatility can be attributed to strong adhesion and great resistance to rust and corrosion processes. It is recommended to apply these materials in thin layers. Price - 427 rubles for 0.4 l (Novol brand, Poland).

Acrylic formulations

Automotive acrylic primer based on one component. Such mixtures are applied by spraying with special pistols. These compounds provide excellent adhesion to metal. Often these primers are used to level surfaces. Among the advantages - quick drying. There is also a two-component primer based on acrylic resins. This product has a high viscosity and allows you to get a fairly thick coating.

Two-component compositions are great for masking significant andminor defects. Such primers are distinguished by a high level of adhesion with different metals and resistance to corrosion. The two-component acrylic primer can be applied over polyester putties and acrylic paints. Price - from 350 to 950 rubles. In this case, the volume of cans can be different - 1, 1.2 or 1.3 liters. The Polish manufacturer Novol costs more than the Russian Vika.

Primers for plastics

This is a one-component mixture. The composition is also applied with a pistol. It significantly improves the adhesion characteristics of acrylic lacquers and polyurethane coatings. Price - 276 rubles for 0.52 kg (Vika, Russia).

Passivating

These compounds contain chromates of various metals, as well as other substances, due to which the treated surface becomes practically immune to moisture. This group includes mixtures such as GF-021, GF-017 and others. For example, a lead-based composition is used to treat and protect the bottom and wings from rust. Price - from 50 to 90 rubles per kilogram.

Tread Compounds

This product contains dust of aluminum, zinc, lead. These metals have a lower rust sensitivity than steel. Under external influence, the tread automobile primer will be the first to be damaged, and the metal will be protected. As an example - EP-057. The range of their prices is very wide - from 250 to 1000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and the volume of the can.

Phosphating primer

These formulations contain phosphoric acid. When it interacts with steel, sparingly soluble phosphates are formed as a result. The primer lays down on a covering with a dense layer, differs in good adhesion. At the same time, its thickness is the smallest of all existing ones. These include VL-02, VL-08, VL-023, VL-025. The mixture penetrates into the metal to a depth of 0.05 microns. This increases adhesion to the metal of the body. It is recommended to apply the composition in two layers. Price - 245 rubles for 0.8 kg (Vika).

Corrosion primers

These are rust modifiers. It is recommended to apply them directly on the centers of corrosion without any preliminary actions. A rust primer will transform that rust. As a result, a strong film is created on the metal, which will protect the surface in the future. Price - 1000 rubles for 0.8 l (Polish brand Novol).

How to choose a primer?

It is necessary to choose the right product based on the material you need to work with. Naturally, there are other factors, but they are not too significant. Primers for metal parts are very different in composition from primers for plastic or wood. The composition of the mixture (and the primer is a mixture of several components) must be indicated in the instructions. It must be carefully studied before you start using this or that composition.

One-component products really aren't. In any case, it will be a mixture, whether it is an epoxy primer for cars ormodifier. As for the functionality of a particular tool, it depends on the type. For example, acrylic mixtures are an almost universal solution. If you believe the marketers, then the range of their application is not limited by anything. But it is best to work with those means that create anti-corrosion protection and increase adhesion.

If you need to decide how to treat rusty areas, do not rely on the unique properties of modifiers. A rust primer will only help get rid of the rust itself. However, you will not be able to find out how deeply this product has penetrated the metal. There is no guarantee that the amount of mixture applied to a corroded area will be able to turn the rust into a durable inert layer. In small areas with a low level of "responsibility", modifiers are justified to use. However, large areas need to be treated differently. As for the use of a primer, it should be noted that it lies on the surface with an invisible layer.

Many car enthusiasts think that the processing is insignificant. They neglect it, so they get cheap compounds. Such savings may lead to the need for re-painting. An automobile primer, the price of which is suspiciously low (less than 100 rubles per can), can shrink. In this case, there will be errors on the LCP layer. Specialists who are professionally engaged in painting work prefer to use expensive mixtures. This saves both time and money.

How to apply?

Groundautomotive is applied to surfaces previously prepared for this. This work should be done in rooms with good ventilation. It must be borne in mind that these compounds are quite toxic. Better use a respirator. If a mixture is being prepared, then the consistency should not clog the spray gun nozzle. If it is too thick, you can dilute it with a thinner. Too liquid product - also not very good. Sagging may occur.

Before using a freshly prepared composition on a car, it is better to check the intensity of its spreading on another surface. For the treatment of small areas, an automotive primer in cans is suitable. It does not need to be diluted and is much easier to apply. The color is chosen so that it approximately matches the shade of the paint, although this can be quite difficult. Unfortunately, it is rarely possible to achieve a complete match.

To achieve the similarity of colors, paint is added to the primer. Once the primer coat has been applied, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, allow time for it to dry. The treated surface should harden. For different types of soil, drying can take from ten minutes to several hours. At the end of the process, grinding is performed with sandpaper with a fine grain of at least P800. Grinding is carried out without water. Most primers are highly hygroscopic, which can result in additional drying time. After sanding, you can start painting.

Conclusion

Priming is an importantstep in car painting. After application, the paint will lie much better on the surface, and the metal will be reliably protected from corrosion. Only a good automotive primer gives a good result. The price of the product should be expensive - from 300 rubles per can. This will eliminate the risk of double work.