The Best Epoxy Primers: Stop Rust Dead in its Tracks | Autance

Is there anything worse than watching rust take over your car’s exterior? Whether you drive a car, truck, or SUV, rust can be one of your biggest frustrations. From changing weather to exposure to all kinds of elements on the road, rust can form just about anywhere metal is present on a vehicle. But rust doesn’t have to be a fact of life for every driver. There are products available that can prevent rust before it even begins — they’re called epoxy primers. And if you use an epoxy primer, you can keep your car looking perfect and pristine.

Epoxy primers are long-lasting and highly durable. Applied before actual epoxy, these products are strongly adhesive and able to resist dampness and moisture in highly humid environments. A thick layer of epoxy primer will bond epoxy to your car’s metal exterior, ensuring the undercoat or paint you apply stays in great shape (and rust-free) for many years. We’ve rounded up some of the best epoxy primers available so you can find the right choice for your vehicle.

The Best Epoxy Primers

Best Epoxy Primer Buying Guide & FAQ

When choosing an epoxy primer, the top considerations are its price and its effectiveness. In addition, a good-quality primer should dry rather quickly, provide a smooth finish, and produce long-lasting protection. However, you may have a hard time deciding between a large bucket primer or a spray. The decision depends on your particular needs. The good news is that in our buying guide below we cover everything you need to know about epoxy primers. We list the different types of primers and the features you should consider before making a purchase. The more you know about this type of product, the easier it will be to choose the right brand.

What is an Epoxy Primer?

To pick the best epoxy primer for your needs, you first need to understand what an epoxy primer is. To put it simply, it’s a type of sealer or filler that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces for protection or to fill in imperfections. For instance, it’s typically used on cars and boats to fill in dents, cracks, and rust and to offer a long-lasting, non-porous smooth finish with anti-corrosion properties. This finished surface is solid and very hard, so it can be sanded with a sander for an ultra-smooth finish that is easy to paint. Speaking of paint, with a quality epoxy primer, you can paint your vehicle more uniformly (as all dents and cracks are smoothed out), resulting in a better-looking and more professional paint job. Also, a good-quality epoxy primer provides durable protection that doesn’t degrade over time (at least nowhere near as fast as the surfaces would degrade without a primer).

Although most epoxy primers are super-easy to apply and quick to dry, exactly how easy and quick they will be, will depend on the product itself. Some primers need to be applied only on perfectly clean, dry, and sanded surfaces with a brush, while others can be simply sprayed over imperfect materials such as rusty surfaces. There is no better or worse here – what’s important is to pick a product that works best for you.

What to Look for in Epoxy Primer

Not all epoxy primers are the same even though they may share certain characteristics. There are a wide variety of brands available, and it can be challenging to choose the right one. As a result, you should look at the following features on each product to see if it checks all the right boxes.

Corrosion resistance

Because one of the main advantages of epoxy primers is their ability to offer protection against corrosion and rust, this should be the first criteria for the best epoxy primer. Look for products that offer high resistance to corrosion, damage, and deterioration. If your vehicle is often in/around water, also look for proper moisture-blocking capabilities.

Ease of application

Another important factor to consider is how easy and quick the application of the epoxy primer is. Ideally, you want a product that is easy and simple to use and that doesn’t require a ton of surface preparation beforehand. Some primers need to have their contents mixed with other solutions, while other primers come in sprays you only need to shake well before using. What this really comes down to is the purpose you’re using a primer for, as well as your own preferences.

Surface application

Yet another important thing to consider is what surface(s) a primer can be applied to. This at least is easy — just take a look at the material you need to work on and purchase an epoxy primer that can be used for that particular material. This is important to consider because although many primers can be applied to a huge number of surfaces, including various types of metals, aluminum, plastic, and so on, some primers have specialty uses. If you purchase a primer not intended for a certain material, it simply won’t adhere.

Reasonable price

Although epoxy primers are not particularly expensive products, some are priced unreasonably high. To purchase the best epoxy primer, look for products that offer the best value for money: proper corrosion-resistance properties, good adherence to various surfaces, easy application, and affordable price. Obviously, what’s affordable for some people may not be at all for others, so ultimately, what matters most, is to find a product that checks all your boxes without costing too much.

Why You Should Use Epoxy Primer

There are plenty of primers you can turn to when you’re hoping to protect your car’s exterior. But there are a number of reasons an epoxy primer is a better choice — especially if you’re facing moisture, humidity, and other rust-causing factors. Any car can benefit from one of these corrosion-combatting primers, as the prevention of rust isn’t the only perk.

Discover why an epoxy primer is a smart choice for any vehicle owner.

Non-Porous Protection

You could say that epoxy primers deliver the ultimate level of rust and corrosion protection, especially in comparison to traditional primers. These extra-tough primers are non-porous, which means they create a solid barrier once they’ve dried and cured. Nothing will get through teeny tiny pores or potential areas of exposure. Instead, the epoxy primer locks out moisture and damage like rust and corrosion. 

Effective Against Dampness of Any Kind

If you live in a damp, wet climate, an epoxy primer is your best defense. This specialized primer can prevent moisture from clinging to your car’s metal body — the scenario that can cause rust to form over time. Whether your area sees a lot of rain and snow, experiences a lot of humidity, or simply sees corrosion-causing agents like salt and salt spray during the wettest and coldest seasons of the year, epoxy primer is what you need. 

Strongly Adhesive

Epoxy primer is impressively adhesive. Once it’s been applied, it sticks securely, bonding to the material in question. While it’s fantastic for metals like steel and aluminum, it’ll even work on other materials. Fiberglass, wood and even some kinds of plastic can all bond with this extra-adhesive primer. And, thanks to the primer’s chemical composition, it can also smooth out the surface it’s applied to. This makes sure that whatever you’re applying next will go on smoothly and without issue.

Fills in Imperfections

Did you know that an epoxy primer can actually make your car’s exterior look better and more pristine? These highly adhesive primers are thick when applied, and they can fill in minor imperfections like cracks, small dents and dings, and other types of little surface flaws. That’s right: An epoxy primer can even do some small repairs. With one of these primers in place, your vehicle’s exterior can actually look better for longer. It’s almost like refreshing the exterior, without the high cost of repairing those little issues.

Types of Epoxy Primers

Epoxy primers all do the same job — but they aren’t by any means all identical. These primers feature different ingredients and formulations, but they offer different levels of strength and protection.

In order to find the best of the bunch, you’ll want to consider which type of epoxy primer is best for your needs and vehicle. There are really just two primary types available today: sprays and buckets. Learn more about each type right here.

Spray Epoxy Primer

Spray epoxy primers, which are typically available in aerosol cans, are quick, easy, and extra convenient. You don’t need much expertise or any special accessories to apply the primer with one of these cans. All you have to do is point the primer, press, and spray. The aerosol cans are equipped with built-in nozzles that apply a powerful stream of primer.

While aerosol or spray epoxy primers are fantastic for beginners, they are somewhat limited. If you’re tackling a large vehicle or an even bigger project, a single can of spray primer likely won’t be enough to apply multiple coats.

Bucket Epoxy Primer

Bucket epoxy primers are sold in literal buckets (or sometimes bottles). These are more of a DIY option for those who want to handle the mixing and application process themselves. Unlike spray primers, bucket primers come with the primer and hardener separated. You have to mix the two together, then apply it yourself. Though this requires more effort, it has one big benefit: With a bucket primer, you can choose how much of a primer-hardener ratio you’d like, and you can control the amount of primer you apply. 

If you’ve applied epoxy primer before, a bucket product will likely be a better choice. With more customization and often more affordable pricing, this type is great for those who are a little more experienced.

Our Top Pick

Even though all of the epoxy primers on our list do a good job, our top pick is the Speedokote Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 Primer & Sealer, which combines a high-quality formula with a reasonable price. It’s a versatile product that you can use on metal and other materials. There’s also a lot to go around, and it’s simple to apply and dries rather quickly. But most importantly, the epoxy is durable and long lasting, so you don’t have to worry about deterioration and corrosion.

Sources:

1. How to Prep a Car for Paint – Wiki How
2. How to Prepare for Car Painting – Do it Your Self