Teamac Metalcote Primer Undercoat | High-Opacity Oil-Based Undercoat for Metal, Wood & GRP

• Apply a high-opacity undercoat before Teamac Metalcote Enamel to reduce topcoat sinkage and retain gloss
• Prime wood or GRP surfaces with an oil-based undercoat before applying a conventional topcoat
• Make a colour change on a previously painted surface with a single high-hiding undercoat
• Apply by brush, roller or airless spray depending on the scale of the project
• Choose from a range of undercoat colours to suit your topcoat system

• You are applying directly to bare ferrous metal without a primer — use Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer first on iron and steel before applying this undercoat
• You require a water-based product — this is a solvent-based product with a VOC content of max 437 g/litre
• The surface has not been properly cleaned and prepared — contamination will cause adhesion failure
• The application temperature is below the dew point — condensation on the surface will cause adhesion failure

Teamac Metalcote Primer Undercoat is a high-opacity, oil-based undercoat formulated for use with Teamac Metalcote Machinery Enamel on metal, wood and GRP surfaces. Developed by Teamac — part of the Coo-Var group with over 115 years of British coatings heritage — it delivers a dense, matt foundation coat that reduces topcoat sinkage and helps retain the high-gloss finish of the Metalcote Enamel topcoat.

The high-opacity formula provides excellent hiding power, making it equally effective as a foundation coat on bare surfaces and as an intermediate coat when a colour change is required. It is suitable for interior and exterior use and can be applied by brush, roller or airless spray. On ferrous metals, apply Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer first before using this undercoat — on wood and GRP it can be applied direct after appropriate surface preparation.

Available in White, Black, Tile Red, Buff, Primrose and Grey in 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins, it provides the flexibility to match the undercoat colour to the topcoat system and minimise the number of finish coats required.

Key Benefits

• High-opacity formula — reduces topcoat sinkage and helps retain the high-gloss finish of Metalcote Enamel
• Versatile substrate compatibility — suitable for metal, wood and GRP; apply direct to wood and GRP, use over Zinc Phosphate Primer on ferrous metals
• Interior and exterior use — suitable for a wide range of applications from machinery to structural steelwork
• Six colours available — White, Black, Tile Red, Buff, Primrose and Grey to suit different topcoat systems
• Three pack sizes — 1L, 2.5L and 5L to suit projects of all scales
• Touch dry in 2 hours — topcoat the following day after a minimum of 12 hours
• 115+ years of British expertise — trusted by fabricators, contractors and maintenance teams across the UK

Order before midday for next-day UK delivery.

Teamac Metalcote Primer Undercoat is an excellent choice for a wide range of metal, wood and GRP coating projects:

• Metal Machinery & Equipment — Apply as a foundation coat before Teamac Metalcote Enamel on agricultural machinery, plant equipment, industrial machinery and fabricated metal components. High-opacity formula reduces topcoat sinkage and maximises the gloss of the final finish.

• Structural Steel & Metalwork — Use on structural steelwork, beams, frames and fabrications as part of a complete coating system with Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer and Metalcote Enamel. Suitable for interior and exterior structural metalwork.

• Wood Surfaces — Apply direct to sanded wood surfaces as an oil-based undercoat before conventional topcoats. Suitable for wooden components, joinery and woodwork requiring a durable, oil-based primer undercoat system.

• GRP Surfaces — Apply direct to abraded GRP components without a separate primer. Suitable for GRP boat components, panels and fabrications before topcoating with Metalcote Enamel or other conventional topcoats.

• Colour Changes on Previously Painted Surfaces — Use as a high-hiding intermediate coat when changing colour on previously painted metal, wood or GRP. The high-opacity formula minimises the number of topcoats required to achieve full coverage.

• Gates, Railings & Architectural Metalwork — Apply as part of a complete system with Zinc Phosphate Primer and Metalcote Enamel on metal gates, railings, fencing and architectural metalwork for interior and exterior use.

If you need personalised advice on surface preparation, application methods, or compatible topcoats, contact our experts via the live chat for tailored guidance.

Coverage: 13 m² per litre at 35 micron dry film thickness

Coverage per size

• 1L tin: Covers approximately 13 m² per coat
• 2.5L tin: Covers approximately 32.5 m² per coat
• 5L tin: Covers approximately 65 m² per coat

Recommended coats

• 1 coat of undercoat is standard before applying Teamac Metalcote Enamel topcoat
• 2 coats of undercoat may be required when making a significant colour change or on very porous surfaces
• Recoat after a minimum of 12 hours or overnight

Example calculations

• For a set of metal gates (approximately 5 m²), a 1L tin will cover 2 coats of undercoat
• For structural steelwork of 30 m², a 2.5L tin will cover 1 coat
• For a large machinery or fabrication project of 60 m², a 5L tin will cover 1 coat

Practical coverage may be lower depending on surface profile, porosity and application method. For accurate project planning, we recommend ordering 10–15% extra.

Thin with Thinners 14 at a maximum of 5% if required for application.

Surface Preparation

Metal (Ferrous)
• Apply Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer to bare iron and steel before applying this undercoat
• All surfaces must be clean, dry and free from grease, oil and contaminants
• Remove oil and grease with Coo-Var Universal Degreaser before mechanical cleaning
• Blast cleaning to SA 2.5 is recommended for bare steel; mechanical cleaning is the minimum acceptable standard

Wood
• Sand prior to coating to ensure an adequate key
• All surfaces must be clean, dry and free from contaminants

GRP
• Abrade the surface prior to coating to ensure an adequate key
• Apply direct to abraded GRP — no separate primer required

All Surfaces
• Existing painted surfaces should be cleaned, degreased and sanded to ensure an adequate key
• Remove all loose and flaking material and treat bare areas as new substrate
• Ensure the surface temperature is above the dew point before applying

Application

1. Mix the paint well before use and periodically during application
2. Thin with Thinners 14 at a maximum of 5% if required
3. Apply by brush or roller for standard application, or by airless spray (pressure 1800–2000 psi) for large areas
4. Apply evenly, ensuring full coverage of edges, corners and complex geometry
5. Allow to dry before topcoating — touch dry in 2 hours, recoat after a minimum of 12 hours or overnight
6. Clean equipment immediately after use with Thinners 14

Drying Times (at 20°C)

• Touch dry: 2 hours
• Hard dry: 12 hours
• Full hardness: 3–5 days
• Recoat interval: 12 hours or overnight

Drying times will be longer in cold or humid conditions.

Important Notes

• On ferrous metals, always apply Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer before this undercoat
• Apply direct to wood and abraded GRP without a separate primer
• Compatible topcoats include Teamac Metalcote Enamel and other conventional white spirit-based topcoats
• Apply topcoat after a minimum of 12 hours or overnight

Recommended System Products

Free delivery on orders over £75 — stock up on everything you need in one go and complete the job properly.

Coo-Var Universal Degreaser: Remove oil, grease and surface contamination from metal surfaces before mechanical cleaning. Essential first step for proper adhesion on ferrous metals.

Teamac Rust Converter: Apply to hard-to-remove rust on steel surfaces where blast cleaning is not practical. Converts rust to a stable compound before priming and undercoating.

Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer: Apply to bare iron and steel before this undercoat. Required on ferrous metals to provide anti-corrosive protection and a sound base for the undercoat.

Teamac Metalcote Machinery Enamel: High-gloss topcoat for metal, machinery and fabrications. Apply over Metalcote Primer Undercoat for a complete, durable coating system with maximum gloss retention.

Paint Brushes, Rollers & Frames: Use suitable brushes or rollers for standard application, or airless spray equipment for large-scale projects.

These products are commonly combined for best long-term results.

What surfaces can Teamac Metalcote Primer Undercoat be applied to?
It is suitable for metal, wood and GRP. On ferrous metals, apply Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer first. On wood, sand the surface before applying. On GRP, abrade the surface and apply direct.

Do I need a primer before applying this undercoat?
On ferrous metals (iron and steel), yes — apply Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer first before this undercoat. On wood and GRP, this undercoat can be applied direct after appropriate surface preparation.

What topcoats are compatible?
It is designed for use with Teamac Metalcote Machinery Enamel and is also compatible with other conventional white spirit-based topcoats. Apply topcoat after a minimum of 12 hours or overnight.

What colours are available?
White, Black, Tile Red, Buff, Primrose and Grey — all available in 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins.

What pack sizes are available?
1L, 2.5L and 5L tins.

How quickly does it dry?
Touch dry in 2 hours at 20°C. Hard dry in 12 hours. Full hardness is achieved in 3–5 days. Drying times will be longer in cold or humid conditions.

How soon can I apply a topcoat?
Apply topcoat after a minimum of 12 hours or overnight at 20°C.

How much does it cover?
Coverage is approximately 13 m² per litre at 35 micron dry film thickness. A 1L tin covers approximately 13 m², a 2.5L tin covers approximately 32.5 m² and a 5L tin covers approximately 65 m² per coat.

Can I thin it?
Yes. Thin with Thinners 14 at a maximum of 5%. Clean equipment after use with Thinners 14.

Can it be used for colour changes?
Yes. The high-opacity formula makes it effective as an intermediate coat when a colour change is required, reducing the number of topcoats needed.

Is it flammable?
Yes. This product has a flash point above 32°C and a VOC content of max 437 g/litre. Keep away from heat, sparks and naked flames during application and drying. Ensure adequate ventilation at all times.

Can it be applied by spray?
Yes. Apply by airless spray at 1800–2000 psi. Thin with Thinners 14 at a maximum of 5% for spray application.

Do you offer next-day delivery?
Yes. Order before midday for next-day delivery to mainland UK addresses. Contact us for delivery options to Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and other remote areas.

Technical Data Sheet

Safety Data Sheet White

Safety Data Sheet Light Grey

Safety Data Sheet All Other Colours

We recommend these system products to achieve the best results with Teamac Metalcote Primer Undercoat. Free delivery on orders over £75

Coo-Var Universal Degreaser — remove oil, grease and surface contamination from metal surfaces before mechanical cleaning; essential first step for proper adhesion on ferrous metals

Teamac Rust Converter — apply to hard-to-remove rust on steel surfaces where blast cleaning is not practical; converts rust to a stable compound before priming

Teamac Zinc Phosphate Primer — apply to bare iron and steel before this undercoat; required on ferrous metals to provide anti-corrosive protection and a sound base

Teamac Metalcote Machinery Enamel — high-gloss topcoat for metal and machinery; apply over Metalcote Primer Undercoat for a complete, durable coating system with maximum gloss retention

Paint Brushes, Rollers & Frames — suitable brushes and rollers for standard application, or use with airless spray equipment for large-scale projects

Not sure which system is right for your project? Contact our experts via live chat for free, tailored advice — we will help you choose the right products and get the best result.

Fast, Reliable & Fully Tracked UK Delivery

Every order is dispatched from our warehouse using a fully tracked DX or FedEx service, so you always know when your paint will arrive.

Delivery Options

• FREE Standard Delivery (orders over £75) Arrives in 2–3 working days
• Standard Delivery – £7.95 Arrives in 2–3 working days
• Express Delivery – £13.95 Next working day delivery when you order before 12:00 noon (Mon–Thu)
• Spending £75+? Select Express Upgrade at checkout and only pay the difference

Dispatch & Delivery Times (What Happens After You Order)

• Express delivery (order before 12:00 Mon–Thu) Dispatched same day, delivered next working day
• Standard delivery (Mon–Wed orders) Dispatched next working day, delivered 2–3 working days later
• Orders placed Thursday (standard delivery) Dispatched Friday for Monday delivery
• We do not dispatch or deliver on weekends or UK bank holidays

What to Expect on Delivery

Please provide a contact telephone number at checkout. This allows the courier to share tracking updates or contact you if there are any delivery issues.

Most orders require a signature on delivery. If you may not be available during the day, we recommend delivery to a workplace, business address, or another location where someone can sign.

Outside the UK Mainland?

Delivery prices shown apply to UK Mainland only.

For the Highlands, Islands, Northern Ireland, or non-mainland addresses, please contact us for a quick personalised quote via live chat, by calling 01482 222 421, or emailing info@specialistpaintsonline.co.uk.

Bottom Line

Order today, get fast and reliable delivery, track every step, and get painting without delays.