Every great paint job starts with the right primer. Adhesion, corrosion protection, build and sand time all get decided before the first drop of color goes on.
Mike Cohen, private label product manager at LKQ, walks through the three primers in the FinishMaster by LKQ lineup. Each one fits a different kind of job:
- FMB800-G 2K Urethane Primer: built for adhesion and protection, and it can be tinted.
- FMB8882-G 3-in-1 Primer Surfacer: super high build for body work.
- FMBP21-G 2.1 VOC Primer Surfacer: high build for VOC-restricted markets.
FMB800-G 2K Urethane Primer
FMB800-G is a high-performance 2K primer that gives excellent adhesion, corrosion resistance and solvent resistance. It works with most solvent-based paint systems.
- VOC: 4.4
- Mix: 4:1 with FMB801 Activator, reduced 5–10%
- Application: 2–5 wet coats, with a 15-minute flash between coats
- Dry to sand: 1–2 hours
You can tint it up to 10% to match the topcoat color. That makes it easier to get coverage straight from primer to paint.
FMB8882-G 3-in-1 Primer Surfacer
FMB8882-G is a new-generation, super-high-build urethane primer surfacer. It’s designed to go under all single-stage and basecoat/clearcoat systems.
- VOC: 4.4
- Mix: 4:1 with FMB8883 Activator, reduced up to 25% depending on the build you need
- Application: 2–3 wet coats, with a 10–15 minute flash between coats
- Dry to sand: 60–90 minutes, depending on temperature
It adheres well directly to bare-metal break-through areas up to about the size of a basketball. It also goes on over e-coat and onto the undersides of hoods, fenders and door jambs.
FMBP21-G 2.1 VOC Primer Surfacer
FMBP21-G is a next-generation, low-VOC, super-high-build urethane primer surfacer made for VOC-restricted markets. It works under both single-stage and basecoat/clearcoat systems.
- VOC: 2.1
- Mix: 4:1:1 with FMBP21 Primer Activator and zero-VOC reducer
- Application: 2–3 wet coats, with a 10–15 minute flash between coats
- Dry to sand: 60–90 minutes
Because it adheres so well, it can go directly onto bare-metal areas no larger than a basketball. It can also go over e-coat, door jambs and panels.
Which Primer Is Right for Your Job?
| Product | Type | VOC | Mix ratio | Coats | Flash | Dry to sand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMB800-G | 2K urethane primer | 4.4 | 4:1 | 2–5 | 15 min | 1–2 hr |
| FMB8882-G | 3-in-1 primer surfacer | 4.4 | 4:1 | 2–3 | 10–15 min | 60–90 min |
| FMBP21-G | Low-VOC primer surfacer | 2.1 | 4:1:1 | 2–3 | 10–15 min | 60–90 min |
- Choose FMB800-G when adhesion, corrosion protection and a tinted base for the topcoat matter most.
- Choose FMB8882-G when you need maximum build over body work in a market that allows 4.4 VOC.
- Choose FMBP21-G when you need high build but your market is VOC-restricted.
Before you pick a product for a project, check the VOC regulations in your market. For more on these primers and the rest of the lineup, contact your local LKQ location or your LKQ sales representative. They can help you choose the right product for your next job.
