Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2006

Primers, Topcoats and Paints

Q: I am trying to find out if there is such a thing as primer white paint?  If there is not please explain.

A: There are many white primers on the market.  Please don't confuse the word "primer" with "topcoat" or "enamel".  The word "paint" is generic for both primers and topcoats.   Therefore, to answer your question more thoroughly, there are white primers and white topcoats.  There are also white direct-to-metal (DTM) coatings which serve as both primer and topcoat.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph