Primer is the most important layer of any paint job. A properly selected primer ensures:

• with strong adhesion to the substrate

• uniform final coating

• rust protection and moisture resistance

• better coverage and lower paint consumption

• longer durability

Different primers are suitable for different substrates and should only be coated with compatible paint systems . The guide below lists all important primer types along with their areas of use, compatibility and substrate requirements.

Types of primers – detailed explanation

Below are detailed descriptions for each plot type on your list.

1. acrylic primer

Universal primer based on acrylic resin.

suitable for substrates:
✔ metal
✔ putty (acrylic, universal, fiberglass and fine putty)
✔ old paint surface
✔ plastic (with plastic primer)
✖ not suitable for bare aluminum or rust.

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• acrylic varnish (2k and 1k)

• enamel paint

• decorative paints

2. acrylic resin-based primer

version of acrylic primer, better adhesion and more elastic.

suitable for substrates:
✔ putty
✔ metal (primed or with at least primer protection)
✔ plastic (under the plastic frame)
✖ not suitable for rust or bare aluminum.

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• acrylic varnish

• universal color

3. activator

not a primer for painting – used to increase adhesion to surfaces (fiberglass, plastic, polycarbonate).

suitable for substrates:
✔ plastic parts
✔ polycarbonate
✔ rubber parts

compatible topcoats:

• plastic primers

• paints and varnishes according to the detail

4. aluminum primer

special primer for non-ferrous metals.

suitable for substrates:
✔ aluminum
✔ zinc, galvanized surfaces
✔ light alloy metal
✖ not suitable for putty or iron.

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• industrial enamels

• 2k paint systems

5. epoxy primer

The most durable 2k primer with the best rust protection.

suitable for substrates:
✔ bare metal
✔ steel
✔ aluminum
✔ stainless steel
✔ fiberglass, composite
✔ putty
✔ sandblasted surface

compatible topcoats:

• 2k acrylic paint

• acrylic primer + varnish

• industrial paints

• epoxy systems
  ✖ not recommended directly under 1k nitro paints (solvent risk).

6. Phthalate resin-based primer

traditional synthetic primer, good weather resistance.

suitable for substrates:
✔ metal
✔ wood
✔ old paint
✖ not suitable for modern 2k systems (risk of reaction).

compatible topcoats:

• alkyd paint

• enamel paint

• synthetic dyes

7. etch primer

a phosphate primer that chemically corrodes metal.

suitable for substrates:
✔ bare metal
✔ aluminum
✔ zinc
✖ must not be put under putty!
✖ wood or plastic are not suitable.

compatible topcoats:

• epoxy primer

• backfill

• acrylic paint system

8. insulator plot

prevents old paint from being painted over and improves adhesion.

suitable for substrates:
✔ old paint
✔ putty
✔ problematic surfaces (penetrating paint, nitro paint)
✖ not intended for bare metal.

compatible topcoats:

• all 1k and 2k colors

• enamel paints

9. control color

not a primer – used to control sanding.

suitable for substrates:
✔ primer
✔ backfill
✔ putty

compatible topcoats:
all colors (always sanded down).

10. corrosion protection primer

anti-rust protection for all types of metal.

suitable for substrates:
✔ steel
✔ stain
✔ machines, trailers
✖ not suitable for aluminum (requires aluminum primer).

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• enamel paint

• 2k colors

11. chalk primer

for filling porous surfaces of walls and ceilings.

suitable for substrates:
✔ plaster
✔ plaster
✔ concrete
✖ not suitable for metal or car surfaces.

compatible topcoats:

• interior colors

• decorative paints

12. primer

thick layer to fill small irregularities.

suitable for substrates:
✔ putty
✔ old paint
✔ light metal work
✖ not suitable for bare metal or plastic.

compatible topcoats:

• backfill

• acrylic paint

13. hardener

Hardener component for 2k primers, varnishes and paints.

14. plastic primer

adhesion promoter for plastic surfaces.

suitable for substrates:
✔ pp, abs, pe, pa, pvc
✔ bumpers, spoilers
✖ not suitable for metal.

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• car polish

• enamel paint

15. polystyrene primer

a primer that protects polystyrene against solvent damage.

suitable for substrates:
✔ eps, xps
✔ decorative details

compatible topcoats:

• water-based paints

• solvent-free systems

16. timber plot

to balance absorbency and improve adhesion.

suitable for substrates:
✔ natural wood
✔ veneer
✔ MDF
✖ not suitable for metal.

compatible topcoats:

• enamel paint

• varnish

• wood stain

17. jet plot

similar to acid primer – chemically activated.

suitable for substrates:
✔ bare metal
✔ aluminum
✔ zinc
✖ not suitable for putty, wood.

compatible topcoats:

• epoxy primer

• backfill

18. rust primer

chemically binds rust.

suitable for substrates:
✔ superficial rust
✔ cleaned metal
✖ not suitable for aluminum.

compatible topcoats:

• enamel paint

• acrylic paint

19. zinc primer

cathodic protection of metal – such as cold galvanizing.

suitable for substrates:
✔ steel
✔ welds
✔ trailers, frames

compatible topcoats:

• epoxy primer

• acrylic paint

• enamel paint

20. backfill

the main sanding primer in the painting process.

suitable for substrates:
✔ putty
✔ old paint
✔ on top of epoxy primer
✖ not suitable for bare metal without an acid or epoxy primer.

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• car polish

• 2k color system

21. universal primer

Multipurpose – suitable for almost any surface.

suitable for substrates:
✔ metal
✔ wood
✔ putty
✔ plastic (under the plastic base)

compatible topcoats:

• acrylic paint

• emails

• industrial paints

comparison table: primer types and their compatibility with substrates

plot	metal	aluminum	rust	putty	plastic	wood
acrylic primer	✔	✖	✖	✔	✔*	✖
epoxy primer	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖	✖
acid primer	✔	✔	✖	✖	✖	✖
plastic primer	✖	✖	✖	✖	✔	✖
rust primer	✖	✖	✔	✖	✖	✖
zinc primer	✔	✖	✔	✖	✖	✖
backfill	✖	✖	✖	✔	✖	✖
universal primer	✔	✔	✖	✔	✔	✔
timber plot	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✔

* for plastic only with plastic primer

comparison table: which paint can be used to cover which primer

plot	1k color	2k color	acrylic	email	epoxy
acrylic primer	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖
epoxy primer	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
acid primer	✖	✔	✔ (via fill primer)	✔	✔
plastic primer	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
rust primer	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖
zinc	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔ (if allowed by the manufacturer)
backfill	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖