Hot take: I didn't know primer color could mess up a metallic paint job until last Tuesday

I was doing a door panel on a 2015 Ford Focus in that dark gray metallic (you know the one) and the customer's dark gray primer bled through like crazy after clear coat. I found a thread on a paint forum that explained how dark primers can shift the metallic flake orientation if you don't use a sealer first. Has anyone else had a primer color ruin their finish on a metallic or pearl job?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimr741mo agoRising Star

Whoa, I've actually never had that issue with dark primers myself (maybe it's a paint brand thing).

susanb341mo ago

Totally get what you're saying @kimr74, but I wonder if it's actually more about how thick the primer goes on. A really heavy coat of dark stuff can sometimes settle weird in the brush marks and look patchy later.

parkerbrown1mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh yeah! Thinning it down makes a huge difference with dark primers.