If you have a good-quality epoxy, you can protect your vehicle from rust and corrosion, which will, in turn, extend its service life. Epoxy primer is designed to be long-lasting and durable so you can drive your car or truck for many years without it, in essence, falling apart. However, it can be hard to pick the right primer for your needs since there are so many available. And like any car product, a lot of epoxy primers can require some shopping around. Our buying guide below includes some of the best epoxy primers on the market for any of your specific needs. Let’s take a look.
The Best Epoxy Primer
Working as both a primer and sealer, the Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 by Speedokote will make your priming job easier, faster, and cheaper. This versatile product comes with a base primer and a hardener, so you’ll have to mix the two contents in a 4:1 ratio for good results.
So, what makes this epoxy primer great? For one, it has very strong adhesion, but is, at the same time, super-easy to apply as it smoothly and evenly lies down on pretty much any surface. Speaking of which, the product can be applied to a wide range of materials, including aluminum, steel, fiberglass, body fillers, and existing finishes. This makes it highly versatile and great for all priming jobs. Importantly, it’s also a strong, durable primer that protects against corrosion and rust, offering long-lasting deterioration protection.
- Can be applied to a number of different surfaces
- Strong adhesion properties
- Both a primer and a sealer
- Offers long-lasting corrosion and damage protection
- Easy to store for an extended period of time
- Brand Speedokote
- Model 5824053907
- Weight 9.1 ounces
The 2K epoxy primer by UCS is one of the easiest primers to apply. No need to use a paintbrush or squeegee with this product – all you have to do is activate the primer, shake it, and spray it. That’s literally it! Needless to say, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use product, this is it.
The UCS’s epoxy primer provides excellent adhesion and fill, as well as great corrosion resistance. It also dries quickly as a hardshell on any surface material, be it metal or fiberglass. It covers around 4 to 6 sq.ft. of surface, but if you want a really smooth end result, it’s wise to apply a couple of coats. Of course, you can also sand the surface with a sander for a super-smooth result, or paint over it.
- Super-easy to use and apply
- Good choice for beginners
- Customized nozzle allows for quick and efficient application
- Protects against corrosion and damage
- Brand USC
- Model 5824054113
- Weight 1.1 pounds
The Raptor’s anti-corrosive primer is a 2K high-performance epoxy primer that contains a blend of anti-corrosive additives that help protect surfaces from rust and oxidation. It’s specifically designed to be used under Raptor’s Protective Coating to further extend the protective properties.
This product comes with a can of anti-corrosive epoxy primer and a primer hardener, so you have everything you need for a proper priming job. Because it contains advanced resin technology that improves adhesion to various surfaces, the product is simple to use. It applies smoothly to bare metal as well as other prepared surfaces. In fact, it can even be used directly over surface rust too. Although quite thick, the primer sprays evenly and smoothly to a hard surface. Besides having great anti-rust and corrosion properties, the Raptor automotive epoxy primer also offers excellent salt spray resistance.
- Offers great protection against corrosion and rust
- Can be applied to a number of surfaces
- Dries quickly and smoothly into a solid surface
- Also offers salt spray resistance
- Brand Raptor
- Model UP4830
- Weight 16.22 pounds
Protective, easy to use and reasonably priced, there is nothing not to like about Transtar 2K epoxy primer/sealer. This product not only has great anti-corrosion properties but also offers great protection against moisture-related damage.
The 2K epoxy primer requires no induction time and can be applied to a number of surfaces, including bare metal, sanded bare metal and primer, as well as paint. Since it’s lead and chrome free, the two-part primer can also be used as a sealer over existing finishes. With fantastic adhesion properties, the product is incredibly easy to apply over various materials but is especially recommended for use over lacquer type primers.
- Offers solid protection from corrosion and moisture
- Can be applied over various surfaces
- Especially recommended over lacquer primers
- Can also be used as a sealer or precoat
- Brand Transtar
- Model 6134
- Weight 2.4 ounces
Looking for a quality epoxy primer for your boat? Look no further than Interlux’s InterProtect 2000E two-part epoxy coating. Formulated with Micro-Plates technology, this product protects fiberglass hulls from moisture and water absorption, plus it helps repair gelcoat damaged by osmotic blistering.
The Interprotect 2000E has great adhesion properties to various materials, including fiberglass, metal, wood, and composite. It offers excellent anti-corrosion and oxidation properties and can be used for both above and below the waterline. As mentioned, it contains Micro-Plates technology, which creates an overlapping water barrier, helping protect your boat against water absorption. As a bonus, it’s also perfect for repairing damaged gelcoat. Importantly, it’s also easy to apply, quick to dry and there is no sanding required.
- Provides excellent protection against water absorption and corrosion
- Helps repair gelcoat damaged by osmotic blistering
- Can be applied to a number of materials
- Easy to use, quick to dry
- Brand Interlux
- Model Y2000EKIT/1
- Weight 13.17 pounds
With great adhesion and anti-corrosion properties, the SprayMax black epoxy primer offers strong and long-lasting protection for bare metals. Using innovative packaging, this 2K epoxy primer has more yield, a broader spray pattern, and faster working speed than other standard aerosols.
The SprayMax epoxy aerosol can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including zinc-coated steel, hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel, galvanized sheet steel, fiberglass, anodized aluminum, and many others. Equally important, it’s also super simple to use: just shake the product and spray it on a clean and dry surface. Although it sprays and covers really well, if you want an ultra-filled and smooth finish, you’ll need to use two to three coats. The primer is re-coatable with all standard solvent or waterborne basecoats and topcoats.
- Great adhesion and anti-corrosion properties
- Excellent sealing and insulating capabilities
- Can be applied to various materials, including problematic surfaces like aluminum
- Recoatable with all standard basecoats/topcoats
- Brand SprayMax
- Weight 1.1 pounds
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Using a quality epoxy primer comes with various benefits, including:
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Ultimate protection
If you want the best protection, the first primer should always be an epoxy primer. This product forms a non-porous, solid surface when cured, providing excellent protection against rust, corrosion, and various other damages, including moisture-caused damage. This becomes especially important if you live in a damp climate.
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Excellent adhesion properties
The chemical makeup of epoxy primers allows them to adhere to various materials, including bare metal surfaces, making them perfect for base coats. They smooth and even out any surface, which not only makes the job of sealers and topcoats much easier but a painting job too.
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Promotes surface longevity
Because a quality epoxy primer will fill in all the cracks, dents, and minor damages on a surface, it will actually help repair damaged portions of the material. Take Interlux Interprotect 2000E epoxy primer as an example – not only does this primer offers excellent protection against water absorption, it also helps repair gelcoat damaged by osmotic blistering.
Types of Epoxy Primers
To purchase the best epoxy primer, it’s important to pick the right type for your needs. While there are numerous different primers on the market, there are only two main types: sprays and bucket epoxy primers.
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Spray/Aerosol Can Epoxy Primer
If you’re after convenience first and foremost, spray cans are for you. An aerosol can epoxy primer has a spray nozzle that quickly, easily, and evenly applies the product on the surface of metals. With a typical spray can, all you have to do is shake it and spray it. That’s literally it! Because they’re so easy to use, spray primers are ideal for absolute beginners, although many professionals like them too.
The only downside? Limited content. Usually, for bigger projects, one can is not enough, so it’s advisable to purchase spare cans if you’re set on this type.
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Large Bucket Epoxy Primer
Typically in a bucket or bottle, this type of an epoxy primer comes in two parts: the primer and the hardener. To use it, you need to mix the two as per instructions. Although a bit more complicated to use than the spray epoxy primer, this type is the more popular one. And it’s no wonder why: it’s usually better priced (you get a much more product here), easier to store, plus gives more control over the amount that you can mix.
The flip side, of course, is that you need to carefully and thoroughly mix the two components.
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:
- How to Prep a Car for Paint – Wiki How
- How to Prepare for Car Painting – Do it Your Self