Bare metal will begin oxidising quickly, sometimes within hours depending on conditions such as temperature and humidity. Priming a bare metal surface is a must, forming an anti-corrosive barrier to prevent bare metal from rusting.

Some substrates are notoriously difficult for coatings to bond to due to factors such as flexibility, residual oils, existing coatings, and more. It’s important to understand the surface you’re coating and to use the correct primer to ensure adhesion for a tough, hard-wearing finish.

A properly primed surface will enhance the performance of your RAPTOR Coating. Making use of a high build primer will ensure you have a uniform and even surface to topcoat. Whereas, using a product such as RAPTOR Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer will enhance the durability and longevity of products such as RAPTOR 2K Protective Coating.

RAPTOR High Temp Primers (High Temp Systems)

RAPTOR High Temp Primers are designed to work with their corresponding topcoats, optimising adhesion and ensuring the coating perform. Always follow the relevant TDS with RAPTOR High Temp Primers as specific primers such should only be used with their matching topcoat.

Final Tip: The Primer Is the Foundation

Be sure to read the relevant TDS for your primer and topcoat prior to application, priming isn’t just an “extra step”, it is best practice when using RAPTOR products. When done correctly and the proper process is followed, achieving tough, professional, long-lasting results is easy.

Navigate this How-To Guide

Priming is one of the most important steps when applying RAPTOR, helping to improve adhesion, enhancing your final finish, preventing corrosion, and protecting the surface underneath.

If you’ve ever experienced peeling, lifting, rust bleed-through, or bubbling, the cause is very often traced back to how the surface was primed. This How-To Guide will cover how to correctly apply primer, and which RAPTOR Primer is the one for your project.

Why Do I Need to Use Primer?

Primers aren’t just used to promote adhesion; they’re designed to support and improve your project and final finish. Correctly priming a surface is an essential step to a durable, long lasting professional finish.

Preventing Corrosion

Bare metal will begin oxidising quickly, sometimes within hours depending on conditions such as temperature and humidity. Priming a bare metal surface is a must, forming an anti-corrosive barrier to prevent bare metal from rusting.

Improving adhesion

Some substrates are notoriously difficult for coatings to bond to due to factors such as flexibility, residual oils, existing coatings, and more. It’s important to understand the surface you’re coating and to use the correct primer to ensure adhesion for a tough, hard-wearing finish.

Enhanced Performance

A properly primed surface will enhance the performance of your RAPTOR Coating. Making use of a high build primer will ensure you have a uniform and even surface to topcoat. Whereas, using a product such as RAPTOR Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer will enhance the durability and longevity of products such as RAPTOR 2K Protective Coating.

How to Apply Primer

One of the most common issues we see when applying any form of coating, particularly primer, is rushing the process. Majority of issues are process-related, always be sure to read the full Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for your relevant product beginning application.

Two of the key issues we see when it comes to priming a surface are

Heavy and rushed applications, which can create solvent capture, where solvents become trapped under the surface. This can lead to poor adhesion, bubbling, and failing topcoats. These few tips are always good to keep in mind when priming your surface, but always be sure to apply as per the relevant TDS,

Apply light-medium coats
Allow for the appropriate flash-off time between coats
Don’t rush the application of your topcoat

The second common issue we see is leaving too long between priming and top coating. As usual, it is essential to refer to your specific primers TDS document, as certain primers require a light abrasion prior to top coating if left for more than a few hours to cure.

Reading the TDS is crucial prior to taking on project, you would read an instructional manual prior to building a piece of furniture, applying RAPTOR products is no different.

What RAPTOR Primer Do I Need?

With a wide range of RAPTOR Primers available, purpose-built to suit different substrates, project sizes and tough environments, it’s important to understand which primer you will need for your project

RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer

Bare metal areas and rub-throughs should be primed to prevent corrosion and ensure proper adhesion before applying RAPTOR products. RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer is ideal for galvanised steel and aluminium, creating an anti-corrosive barrier that prevents steel from rusting and enhances adhesion.

RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter

Substrates such as plastics, fibreglass, rubbers, and painted surfaces can require additional preparation to prevent lifting and ensure long term adhesion. RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter is designed to promote adhesion to most surfaces and can also be used in hard-to-reach or hard-to-sand areas where abrasion is difficult

RAPTOR 1K Pro Primer

A high-quality, general-purpose primer, RAPTOR 1K Pro Primer is high build, ideal for filling uneven surfaces, priming, sealing and helps stopping rust. It provides excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates including steel, aluminium and galvanised steel, as well as fibreglass, body fillers and most automotive plastics.

RAPTOR Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer

For large-scale projects, industrial applications, and harsh environments, RAPTOR Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer offers excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability for RAPTOR 2K Protective Coating. Ideal for bare steel, aluminium, galvanised surfaces, and large-scale projects

RAPTOR High Temp Primers

RAPTOR High Temp Primers are designed to work with their corresponding topcoats such as RAPTOR Engine Enamel and Flameproof, optimising adhesion and ensuring the coating performs. Always follow the relevant TDS with RAPTOR High Temp Primers ensuring you check cure times and when sanding is necessary after application

Pro Tips for Professional Results

Always read the relevant TDS for your primer
Using primer is always best practice to ensure professional results
Don’t rush, allow for the appropriate flash-off time between coats
Apply light-medium coats
Check if your primer requires sanding before coating

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Related How-To Guides

Q: Why is it important not to leave too long between priming and top coating?

The second common issue we come across is leaving too long between priming and top coating. As usual, it is essential to refer to your specific primers TDS document, as certain primers require a light abrasion prior to top coating if left for more than a few hours to cure.