Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Primer Coating vs Wet Painting
Primer Coating and Wet Painting are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; wet paint resists corrosion better.
Primer Coating
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$ · instant quote
Primer coating is an intermediate film that promotes adhesion, seals porosity, levels minor defects, or improves corrosion protection before paint.
Wet Painting
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$ · instant quote
Wet painting atomizes a liquid resin, pigment, and solvent or water system onto prepared metal or plastic.
When to choose which
Choose Primer
Primer is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Wet paint's.
- Seals porous SLS, MJF, and filled printed surfaces
- Improves adhesion between polymer and topcoat
- Provides a uniform base color
Choose Wet paint
Choose Wet paint when a complete primer-and-color system should be specified together.
- Matches RAL, Pantone, or customer master colors
- Covers metals, molded plastics, and printed polymers with suitable primer
- Multi-layer systems can separate adhesion, color, and UV-protection functions
What the numbers say
- Wet paint resists corrosion better.
- Primer is the lower-cost option ($$).
- Primer is the thinner coating (15–50 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Primer | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 25 Low | 59 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | 10 Minimal |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 90 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 15 Low |
| Cost | 20 $$ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Primer | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–50 µm | 20–80 µm |
| Salt-spray test duration | — | 96–250 h |
| Max service temperature | — | 120 °C |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | gray, white, black, beige | RAL colors, Pantone colors, custom color, clear |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 2–5 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Primer | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Composite | Yes | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | Yes | With care |
| MJF | Yes | Limited |
| Polymer | Yes | With care |
| SLA | Yes | Limited |
| SLS | Yes | Limited |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | With care | Limited |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Primer vs Wet paint — frequently asked
What is the difference between Primer and Wet paint?
Primer Coating and Wet Painting are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; wet paint resists corrosion better. Primer is the lower-cost option ($$). Primer is the thinner coating (15–50 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Primer instead of Wet paint?
Conversely: choose Wet paint when a complete primer-and-color system should be specified together.
Is Primer or Wet paint cheaper?
Primer is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$ for Wet paint) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.