DC540 replacement

[Ty Marcucci]

Has anyone found a good replacement for DC540?

[Matt Colan]

Check out the harbor freight auto primer. I had pretty good luck with it and sanded like the old DC540 when I used it

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-oz-gray-sandable-primer-spray-paint-60789.html

[PJ Rowland]

Good old DC540 havent used that in years.

[Brett Buck]

Has anyone found a good replacement for DC540?  I know about making my own primer, but that stuff really did the job, and I find I am getting more lazy.  Might just be the heat and humidity.

  You mean this?:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/DC_DC540

   It looks like it is available.

    I use KlassKote white primer - I am pretty sure it will be compatible with any model paints.

    Brett

   

[gene poremba]

 while the NAPA DC-540 is still available, the formula has been changed for the bad. I have been using a product Robert tried and it works as well or better than the old DC-540. Its called CREST Hi Build primer GRAY STK# AH-BG. It sprays on nice and dries quickly. It sands off to a nice powder. I buy it on line. I have only used it over butyrate clear and under butyrate Brodak and Randolph colors. After half a dozen models i have had no problems. Its not cheap, but convenient to just grab the can when i need to use primer......Gene

[Matt Colan]

Hows does it react with Brodak or Randolph dope??

I had good luck spraying both over the top of it with no issues. The harbor freight stuff works well, but zinc stearate is a far superior product in my experience

[Tom Luciano]

Ty,
  Al Ferraro found this stuff. It's about as close as you can get to DC 540. It actually builds up faster. Sparky has tried it and felt it was a good substitute as well.
 Al is a professional autobody guy and has access to it. You have to see if you can get it as it sold to more/less body shops only.

https://crestauto.com/shop/primer/aerosol-primer-aids/hi-build-gray/
Tom

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks Matt and Tom. I now have 2 cans of each to try out. Got snake bit when I bought 12 of the DC 540, only to find it was not what I had been using. 

Don't by shy, Ty! Take that crap back and tell them why, Ty! Let us know what works best, or try, Ty!  Steve

[frank williams]

It looks like the Harbor Freight stuff is 1/3 the cost of the other.