The 8 Best SEM DTM primers (2023 reviews)

The sem bare metal should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This self-etching primer requires a top coat. It is an industrial etching primer intended for marine application. It has a fine spray that goes on far more evenly than most rattle can paints. It provides great adhesive capabilities to bare sheet metal. It lays flat, sprays evenly and will make the top coat application a breeze.

The primer dries quickly (three thin coats five to ten minutes apart are recommended) and can have the color coats applied after only an hour or so. It is made for perfect preparation for paint. The primer will be durable and hold up for the long haul.

Why We Like This:

Goes on nice, looks good as a flat finish
Self-etching in of no use on anything other than metal
Works very well, fast drying and looks good
80 °f temperatures without any problems

Best For Aluminum patio furniture: SEM etch Primer

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Compared with other products by Sem, the sem etch primer has a convenient design. This is a professional grade self etching primer. It is used to refinish some wheels and provides a good base coat for paint. It will tell you the temperature range. It is impossible to scratch it off with a fingernail or to have it lift off after peeling away masking tape. It has bonded to the aluminum, unlike the dupli-color. This will ensure that the paint penetrates the aluminum surface. It is great for aluminum patio furniture.

Why We Like This:

Far superior to any rustoleum product for metal
Simple and no hassles, unlike two-part systems
New and hot release

Best For vehicle: SEM Good Primer

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This SEM flexible primer on top of the SEM Adhesion Promoter, is a great foundation. It is intended to be a base primer and sand-able filler primer for automotive plastic parts that may flex, such as bumper covers to prevent/minimize damage in case of minor bump or impact. It is good as mixing up acrylic lacquer primer for smaller jobs, especially flexible plastic bumpers.

This primer is for plastic exterior parts such as bumpers etc. It is coated with bc/cc with no problems. This stuff lays down great with excellent coverage. It works well on automotive plastic trim pieces.

Why We Like This:

Covers well, dries quickly, and makes adhesion a quick task
Adhered well and sanded easily while filling in some 80 grit scratches
Really nice flexible primer in a handy spray can
Great product for automotive trim and body

Best For Bare Metal: SEM Best Primer

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The sem best primer is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features in its price range. There is typically an additive in paint for urethane bumpers that allows the paint to flex a little. The High-Build Primer Surfacer is a flexible acrylic coating for priming steel, aluminum, urethane, fiberglass and plastics. It laid down perfectly smooth and looks great. This stuff is good to use before you put your color coat on. It allows the paint to flex a little. This will work with the urethane base coat. It is good for bumper if not you will need a flexible primer.

Why We Like This:

Top coat with most refinish material
Great for auto body work when you need to do
Works on flexible or rigid substrates
Works like a champ for filling scratches and creating transitions

Best For Steel: SEM Best Metal Primer

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The sem best metal primer's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This is a self etching primer that goes on bare metal and not a filler primer. If you attempt to apply with a brush outside in the sun, it almost dries as you stroke it on. This is ready to go out of the can and works perfectly for metal where you need a self etching primer. It is very thin as it is and is ready to spray right out of the can. It works excellent on Aluminum. It is easy to apply using a hvlp gun. This is the primer to use if you are painting cast aluminum.

Why We Like This:

Whips through corrosion and rust, preps bare steel for painting
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For Metal: SEM self etching Primer

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Compared with other products by Sem, the sem self etching primer has a convenient design. Self etching is the way to go on aluminum to get a quality job and have a top coat that will last. This product should be used as a DTM (direct to metal) primer. It’s very thin and almost the consistency of water. It is easy to apply gun or brush, no need for thinning. This is a great product for bare metal.

Why We Like This:

Delivers what they promise
Good brand reputation

Best For plastic: SEM DTM Primer

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Compared with other products by Sem, the sem dtm primer has a convenient design. This primer is primarily designed to etch aluminum and other non. It is made for priming of aluminum. This product has a water like viscosity and is for spray application only.

Why We Like This: