What are Steel Primers?

Steel is inherently prone to corrosion and requires protective measures to maintain and enhance its integrity and appearance. Various coatings, including anti-corrosion and fire protection, are applied to achieve this. Before these coatings can be effectively applied, the steel must undergo proper preparation and priming. Primers offer numerous advantages, including rust prevention, but their primary function is to enhance the adhesion of specialty coatings to the steel substrate.

Sherwin-Williams Steel Spec® Alkyd Primers deliver unmatched performance, efficiency, and reliability. Formulated to meet the diverse demands of architectural, commercial, and industrial construction, the Steel Spec line offers a full spectrum of solutions — from fast-drying shop coat primers to high-performance universal primer/finish systems. Sherwin-Williams Steel Spec primers ensure uniform coatings coverage and protection across a broad range of application environments.

Enhancing Throughput and Protection With Every Application 

Steel Spec® Alkyd Primers offer tailored protection to meet the specific demands of your project—whether you require short-term shop coating or long-term corrosion resistance in harsh environments. Each formulation is engineered to align with your project timeline and exposure conditions.

These primers are weldable and fully compliant with key industry standards, including SSPC Paint 15, CISC 1-73, and MPI #79, and meet AWS D1.1 weldability requirements. With excellent application characteristics, Steel Spec primers are compatible with a broad range of topcoats, including alkyds, acrylics, epoxies, and polyurethanes, ensuring seamless integration into diverse coating systems. Additionally, the product line includes low-VOC and low-HAPs options, delivering environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance.

Steel Spec Alkyd Primers are designed to streamline throughput while delivering high-performance protection across a wide range of steel substrates. Backed by Sherwin-Williams global technical support and specification expertise, these primers ensure consistent, code-compliant results from fabrication to field.

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With our steel primers  you can extend the service life of your building.
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