Best Wall Primer for Metal of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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For those looking to paint metal surfaces, a high-quality wall primer is essential for achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish. A wall primer for metal can help to prevent rust and corrosion, provide a stable base for paint, and improve adhesion. With a range of options available, it's important to choose a product that is specifically designed for use on metal surfaces. A good wall primer for metal will help to stabilise the surface, fill in any imperfections, and provide a consistent colour base for your chosen paint.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat Cover #TOP 1
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Polar Matt White High-Build Primer Spray Paint Cover #TOP 2
Polar Matt White High-Build Primer Spray Paint
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat Cover #TOP 3
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Wall Primer for Metal

Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat

423329
Brilliant White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat Cover
Johnstone's - Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat - Brilliant White - Water Based - Interior Wood & Metal - Fast Drying - Low Odour - Dry in 1-2 Hours - 13m2 Coverage per Litre - 0.75 L

Johnstone's Quick Dry Primer is an excellent choice for both interior and exterior surfaces. Its fast-drying formula allows you to touch dry in just 1-2 hours, making your painting tasks quicker and more efficient. The water-based formulation is low-odour and non-yellowing, ensuring a pleasant painting experience. With a coverage of 13m² per tin, you can easily prime bare wood and previously painted surfaces, achieving a contemporary, high sheen finish that enhances the durability of your paint job.

What We Like
Fast drying time
Low odour formulation
Good coverage per litre
Suitable for various surfaces
Durable finish

Polar Matt White High-Build Primer Spray Paint

1033
White
400 ml (Pack of 1)
Polar Matt White High-Build Primer Spray Paint Cover
Polar Matt White Primer Spray Paint - 400ml | High-Build Filler Primer Paint for Wood, Metal, Plastic, Ceramics, Tiles & Painted Surfaces | Spray Primer for Long Lasting Protection & Quick Drying

The Polar Primer Spray Paint is a versatile solution for all your priming needs. Its enhanced all-surface formula ensures strong adhesion and resistance to chipping, peeling, and fading. This means you can confidently prepare various materials, from wood to metal, for a flawless finish. Additionally, the quick-drying feature allows you to complete your projects efficiently, with just 15 minutes drying time between coats. The primer filler properties help to smooth out imperfections, ensuring a professional appearance in your final topcoat.

What We Like
Versatile for multiple surfaces
Quick drying for efficiency
Fills cracks and imperfections
Durable and long-lasting protection
Easy to apply and use

Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat

423322
White
250 ml (Pack of 1)
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat Cover
Johnstone's - Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat - Brilliant White - Water Based - Interior Wood & Metal - Fast Drying - Low Odour - Dry in 1-2 Hours - 13m2 Coverage per Litre - 0.25 L

Johnstone's Quick Dry Primer is an excellent choice for both interior and exterior surfaces. It dries to the touch in just 1-2 hours, allowing you to complete your painting projects quickly. Its water-based, low-odour formula ensures a pleasant experience while you work. This primer also offers a high sheen finish, making your paint job look contemporary and professional. With coverage of 13m2 per litre, you can efficiently prime bare wood and metal surfaces for a durable finish.

What We Like
Fast drying time
Low odour formulation
High sheen finish
Easy to apply
Good coverage

JENOLITE Anti-Rust Primer Spray Paint 400ml

89178
White
400 g (Pack of 1)
JENOLITE Anti-Rust Primer Spray Paint 400ml Cover
JENOLITE Anti-Rust Primer Spray Paint | WHITE | 400ml | High Performance Metal Primer | Rust & Corrosion Protection | Primer Paint For Cars, Radiators, Garden Furniture & More

The JENOLITE Anti-Rust Primer is a high-quality metal spray paint that provides excellent protection for your surfaces. Its anti-rust properties help to extend the life of your metal items, making it perfect for cars, garden furniture, and more. With high zinc content, this primer fights rust and corrosion effectively. It also promotes adhesion, ensuring a smooth surface for top-coating with either water-based or oil-based paints, giving you flexibility in your projects.

What We Like
High-quality rust protection
Promotes paint adhesion
Suitable for various applications
Made in Britain

Hammerite Red Oxide Metal Primer 250ml

5092843
250 ml (Pack of 1)
Hammerite Red Oxide Metal Primer 250ml Cover
Hammerite Primer - Red Oxide. Metal Primer for Garden Furniture, Radiator and Fence Paint. Rust Inhibitor and Rust Treatment for Metal, Interior and Exterior Use - 250ml

Hammerite Metal Primer is designed for easy application directly onto rusty metal surfaces, allowing you to create a smooth and durable base that prevents future rust and corrosion. You can quickly prepare the surface by brushing away loose paint, with minimal sanding needed before applying the primer. Its quick-drying formula means you can apply a topcoat within just six hours. This versatile primer is suitable for various metal items, including BBQs, garden furniture, and railings, giving your old metals a rejuvenated appearance.

What We Like
Paints directly on rust
Quick drying in six hours
Easy to apply
Suitable for all metal types
Excellent coverage for 3m2
#TOP 6

Hammerite 250ml Red Special Metals Primer

5084909
250 ml (Pack of 1)
Hammerite 250ml Red Special Metals Primer Cover
Hammerite HAM6701341 250ml Special Metals Primer - Red

The Hammerite Special Metals Primer is a premium product designed specifically for non-ferrous metals, including galvanised metal, aluminium, and stainless steel. Its bright red colour not only enhances aesthetics but also promotes topcoat adhesion, ensuring your finish stays intact for longer. This specially formulated primer provides long-lasting protection, giving you the confidence that your surfaces are well-prepared and resistant to wear. Available in a convenient 250ml tin, it’s perfect for your smaller projects.

What We Like
Specially formulated for non-ferrous metals
Promotes topcoat adhesion
Long-lasting protection
Convenient 250ml tin size
Attractive red colour
#TOP 7

AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint

AMK
811116
White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint Cover
AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint White 750ml Water Based Formula Ideal For Wood Metal Masonry Surfaces Interior Exterior Application Quick Dry Low Odour

The AMK® Dulux Primer & Undercoat is designed for easy surface preparation, making your painting projects simpler. Its quick drying formula allows you to complete tasks faster, so you can move on to the next phase without delay. Being water-based, it ensures easy application and clean-up, which is perfect for both novice and experienced users. This versatile product is suitable for various surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry, whether indoors or outdoors, streamlining your painting process.

What We Like
Easy surface preparation
Quick drying time
Water-based for easy use
Versatile for multiple surfaces
#TOP 8

JENOLITE Universal Etch Primer Spray Paint Grey

89089
Grey
400 g (Pack of 1)
JENOLITE Universal Etch Primer Spray Paint Grey Cover
JENOLITE Universal Etch Primer Spray Paint | GREY | High Performance Acid Etch Primer For Difficult Surfaces Including Aluminium, Galvanised Steel, Stainless Steel & Most Metal Surfaces | 400ml

The JENOLITE Etch Primer Spray is a specialist grey primer designed for challenging metal surfaces. Its self-etching formula enhances adhesion on materials like aluminium and stainless steel, making your painting tasks easier. This acid etch primer provides long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion, ensuring your surfaces remain in excellent condition. Additionally, it serves as a perfect car paint primer, creating a smooth base that improves both the appearance and durability of your topcoat.

What We Like
Excellent adhesion on difficult surfaces
Long-lasting rust protection
Smooth surface for topcoat
Ideal for aluminium surfaces
High-quality grey primer
#TOP 9

RUSTINS Red Oxide Metal Primer 500ml

REDOW500
500 ml (Pack of 1)
RUSTINS Red Oxide Metal Primer 500ml Cover
RUSTINS Red Oxide Metal Primer 500ml

The RUSTINS Metal Primer is a highly effective solution for your painting needs. Its low odour ensures a more pleasant working environment, making it ideal for indoor use. The inclusion of anti-corrosive additives means that it provides excellent protection against rust, prolonging the life of your metal surfaces. You can confidently apply this primer on both bare and galvanised metal, ensuring versatility in your projects. Weighing only 0.78 kilograms, it is easy to handle, allowing you to tackle your tasks with ease.

What We Like
Low odour for comfort
Anti-corrosive protection
Suitable for various metal types
Lightweight and easy to use
#TOP 10

Chemsolve Acrylic Spray Paint Primer 400ml

Chemsolve
HC8445
Matt White
400 g (Pack of 1)
Chemsolve Acrylic Spray Paint Primer 400ml Cover
Chemsolve / Aerosol Primer 1 x 400ml / Acyrlic Paint Primer Spray/White Matt/Acrylic Primer Spray Paint/All Surfaces including Wood, Plastic, Metal/Undercoat Spray Paint

The Chemsolve Primer Spray offers superior adhesion, ensuring that your paint adheres well for a long-lasting, smooth finish. Its versatility allows you to use it on various surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic, making it suitable for a wide range of projects. The quick-drying formula means you can complete your tasks efficiently without long wait times. Additionally, it enhances durability by providing a protective layer against rust, corrosion, and moisture, especially on metal surfaces.

What We Like
Excellent adhesion for long-lasting results
Works on multiple surfaces
Fast-drying for quick projects
Protects against rust and moisture
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our wall primer for metal research, we found 50 wall primer for metal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 35,381 customer reviews through our big data system to write the wall primer for metal list. We found that most customers choose wall primer for metal with an average price of £7.31.

The wall primer for metal are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of wall primer for metal, including Johnstone's, Polar Specialist Coatings, JENOLITE, Hammerite, AMK.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.