Both 3M Adhesion Promoter and self-etching primer are great tools to have in your arsenal when it comes to automotive projects. This being said, there are stark differences between the two and they can not be interchanged with one another. Even though both can help you to get the best adhesion, the projects each one is appropriate for differs. For example, 3M Adhesive Promoter Sponges are meant to help with projects such as installing automotive trim, whereas self-etching primer is best for getting the most professional finished look when painting a vehicle. The following will overview the differences between 3M Adhesion Promoter and self-etching primer and will help you decide which is appropriate for your automotive project.
Purpose
Self-etching primer and 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter have completely different purposes even though they both help with adhesion. 3M Automotive Adhesion Promoter is specifically made for enhancing adhesion of 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes and other 3M adhesives in automotive applications. Not only are these tapes used for jobs like installing trim, but 3M Acrylic Foam Tape is also utilized on products such as SLiPLO Universal Bumper Scrape Guards.
Self-etching primer, as the name suggests, is used before painting and both etches and primes all in one step. This product made of acrylic lacquer helps to enhance the quality and smoothness of your topcoat all while ensuring the primer sticks to tricky surfaces. Depending on the brand of self-etch primer you use, there are other useful features. For example, if you get Rust-Oleum Self-Etching Primer, this primer will not only help you have the best topcoat, but it will also prevent rust from forming.
For Use On
Although there are some surfaces that both 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter and self-etching primer can go on, there are some surfaces that one can be used on but the other can not be. 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter can allow you to get the best attachment of trim, side moldings, and automotive claddings, with little need to know how to make 3M Adhesive stick better since it works fantastically on its own if used properly. This is because this product improves adhesion on low surface materials. Low surface energy materials, such as LSE, PPO, PC, PP, TPO, and ABS plastics, are common in vehicles and are used in the making of parts like the instrument panel, interior trims, and exterior trims.
Self-etching primers can be used on many different surfaces, not all of which being related to automotive applications. Depending on the brand of self-etching primer, these products can be used on bare metal, fiberglass, wood, aluminum, and hard plastics.
Application
The application process between self-etching primer and 3M Adhesive Promoter as well as between 3M Adhesive Promoter 4298 vs 3M Adhesive Promoter 06396 are completely different. Self-etching primer generally comes in an aerosol can and can cover about 12 square feet per can, although there are other options such as buying by the gallon available. Although drying time will vary between brands, it will generally take about half an hour for self-etching primer to be dry to the touch and about an hour for it to be dry enough to use. No matter which brand you get, though, you are going to want to apply this product outside or in a well-ventilated area such as an open garage for safety reasons.
3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter does not require you to take these precautions and you can apply it in a closed garage if you would like. Unlike self-etching primer being applied through the use of an aerosol can, 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter is applied either with a single use sponge or with professional tools. How to use a 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter Sponge (also known as 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter 06396) is easy. All you have to do is rip open the packet at the notch on the top to expose the sponge. Use the remaining packet as an applicator and wipe it onto the surface. Each packet can cover about 150 square inches, which is equivalent to one square foot. Luckily, this product only takes under a minute to dry, with it typically taking about 30 seconds.
If a square foot is not enough for your project, these adhesive promoter sponges come in three packs. If you are going to need a large amount of 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter because you plan to work on many, many projects or use it in a professional setting, you may want to use 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter 4298 instead. This product is purchased by the gallon and is meant for professional use. If you use this product instead of the 3M Adhesive Promoter Sponges, you will need some equipment though. 3M Adhesive Promoter 4298 is typically applied with a gravity feed wipe, felt tip applicator, a knurled roller, or a sprayer.
Removal
Another glaring difference between self-etching primer and 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter has to do with removal. There is no going back from using self-etching primers. If you want to remove self-etching primer for some reason, you are going to have to either use a lot of a paint stripper or sand and scrape it all off. This means that any paint underneath will not be salvageable.
3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter is much easier to remove, and it is clear so even if there is a small amount outside of the area you intended, it is not very noticeable. It should be noted, though, that the chemicals used to remove excess 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter such as methyl ethyl ketone (also known as MEK) or acetone solvents can be very dangerous, and you should use caution and read the full label before use.
Which One Should I Use?
Although both products are great, they are not the same thing and can not be switched out for one another. 3M Automotive Adhesive Promoter can not be used as a primer on bare metal, and self-etching primer is not going to help you get 3M Acrylic Foam Tape to stick to low surface energy materials. For installing new side moldings or a bumper protector onto your vehicle, 3M Automotive Adhesion Protector is the way to go. If instead you are trying to prime bare metal and want it to look as professional as possible without having to go through both priming and roughing up the surface, self-etching primer is the product you need.
For more information on the features, benefits, and pricing of 3M Adhesive Promoter Sponge click here, alternatively, use our interactive map to find an authorized installer near you. If you enjoyed this article, check out our blog.