.svg)
Primer
A preparatory coating applied to bare metal before the topcoat to promote adhesion, provide a first layer of corrosion resistance, and fill minor surface imperfections. Epoxy primers and zinc-rich primers are common in industrial fabrication.
A primer is the essential first coating layer in multi-coat finish systems, establishing the foundation for adhesion and long-term corrosion resistance by providing mechanical and chemical bonding between bare metal and the topcoat. Epoxy primers offer excellent adhesion promotion and corrosion barrier properties, making them ideal for steel fabrications destined for harsh environments, while zinc-rich epoxy primers add sacrificial zinc that provides galvanic protection similar to galvanizing.
Primers are formulated to bond tenaciously to slightly contaminated or oxidized surfaces where a topcoat alone might fail, and they often fill minor surface imperfections and pinholes that would otherwise telegraph through the final finish. The cost of a proper primer layer is trivial compared to the cost of field failures, making it false economy to eliminate the primer stage.
Proper application of primer before topcoat application is one of the most important variables affecting coating system longevity.
Price Your Project
Receive a free, custom quote for you project. Midwest Metal Fabrications can handle any job, small or large and is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Certified.