--- product_id: 265517975 title: "39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz." brand: "sem" price: "R1971" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 category: "Sem" url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/265517975-39673-black-self-etching-primer-15-5-oz store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # Adheres to bare metal flawlessly Dries in 30 mins 15.5 oz premium volume 39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. **Brand:** sem **Price:** R1971 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > ⚡ Prime like a pro, finish like a boss! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** 39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. by sem - **How much does it cost?** R1971 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/265517975-39673-black-self-etching-primer-15-5-oz) ## Best For - sem enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted sem brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Rapid Dry Formula:** Ready for next coat in just 30 minutes—speed up your project - • **Generous 15.5 oz Can:** More paint per can than competitors—maximize value and minimize trips - • **Superior Metal Bonding:** Self-etching primer ensures unbeatable adhesion on bare aluminum and steel - • **Precision Spray Technology:** Fine, even spray for flawless coverage every time - • **Matte Finish for Professional Look:** Smooth, stain-resistant matte finish that preps perfectly for topcoats ## Overview SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer is a high-performance enamel primer designed for automotive and industrial metal surfaces. Delivering superior adhesion with a fine spray and rapid 30-minute dry time, this 15.5 oz matte finish can offers stain resistance and excellent coverage of 12-15 sq ft. Ideal as a first-step coating on bare metals, it ensures your paint job lasts longer and looks flawless. ## Description Self Etching Primer is a first-step coating that provides excellent adhesion to bare substrates. Review: Finally, a good, easy to apply, self etching primer! - This primer is the easiest to use self etching primer I've found so far and it adheres as well or better than anything else I've used for painting bare aluminum. It has a fine spray that goes on far more evenly than most rattle can paints. The primer dries quickly (three thin coats five to ten minutes apart are recommended) and can have the color coats applied after only an hour or so. While the can doesn't specify any temperature range for applying the paint, I have used it in 65-80°F temperatures without any problems. Obviously, the paint will dry faster at higher temperatures. Lower is better since the primer has to be liquid to etch the surface. The can does not recommend applying color coats directly to this primer (SEM doesn't specifically say so but a conventional primer should be used over the self etching primer), which is consistent with other self etching primers I have used which recommend using a regular primer over the self etching primer before applying color coats. I found that Krylon's Dual, a combination of primer and color coat, will work well when applied directly to this self etching primer, which reduces the overall number of coats of paint needed (the Krylon dries very slowly, though, although coats can be applied around 30 minutes apart). As always, proper surface prep is needed. I wet sand the surface with 320 or 400 wet/dry (which one depends how smooth a surface I want), then, after rinsing the piece with hot water and letting it dry thoroughly, I wipe it down with an acetone saturated cloth to degrease the surface (denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner also work well). While degreasing the work and handling it afterword, I wear disposable nitrile gloves to protect my skin and keep skin oils off the surface of the work. The price may seem high compared to other rattle can paints but is actually competitive with other self etching primers when you consider this comes in 15.5 oz. cans instead of the usual 12 oz. cans. Review: Sourced from a good seller - SEM products are of good quality. This can is in the current price range found from retailers. Fast shipping is a plus. ## Features - Item Category: Paint - Item Trademark: SEM - manufacturer: Generic ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B000PKZ3IY | | Age Range Description | Adult | | Best Sellers Rank | #74,648 in Automotive ( See Top 100 in Automotive ) #22 in Primers | | Brand | SEM | | Brand Name | SEM | | Color | Black | | Color Code | #000000 | | Colour | Black | | Container Type | Can | | Coverage | 12-15 sq ft/15.5 oz | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 506 Reviews | | Dry Time In Hours | 0.5 | | Finish Type | Matte | | Finish type | Matte | | Full Cure Time | 1 Hours | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00646786396731 | | Included Components | Aerosol | | Indoor Outdoor Usage | Outdoor | | Is Waterproof | False | | Item Form | Liquid | | Item Volume | 65.66 Cubic Inches | | Item Weight | 1.3 Pounds | | Item volume | 65.66 Cubic Inches | | Manufacturer | SEM | | Model Name | 39673 | | Model Number | 39673 | | Paint Type | Enamel | | Part Number | 39673 | | Size | 15.5 Ounce (Pack of 1) | | Special Features | Stain Resistant | | Special features | Stain Resistant | | Specific Uses For Product | Automotive, Industrial | | Surface Recommendation | Metal | | UPC | 646786396731 | | Unit Count | 15.5 Grams | | Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant | ## Product Details - **Brand:** SEM - **Colour:** Black - **Finish type:** Matte - **Item volume:** 65.66 Cubic Inches - **Size:** 15.5 Ounce (Pack of 1) ## Images ![39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wuMdZCoQL.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Is this compatible with a urethane basecoat and clearcoat?** A: Self etch primer is for bare metal. You should seal it first with a top coat of sealer primer before basecoat. I have put basecoat directly on it with no problems though. **Q: Will this stick to plastic ?** A: I would probably use SEM Flexible Primer Surfacer on plastic. **Q: Should this product be used on bumpers before spraying with SEM black trim paint?** A: I'm not an expert but I use this product on bare "not chrome" metal. If you're talking about a chrome bumper I'm just not sure if this product would actually "etch" it. That's an interesting question though. I think you should call SEM or Eastwood products and ask. Eastwood has a lot of products and experience with coating different materials. Check their website out. I'm interested to hear what worked for you so please let me know. **Q: why is the 2 pack more expensive than 2 single cans combined?** A: I bought 2 and 4 packs cheaper Just have to search ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finally, a good, easy to apply, self etching primer! *by J***E on 10 July 2016* This primer is the easiest to use self etching primer I've found so far and it adheres as well or better than anything else I've used for painting bare aluminum. It has a fine spray that goes on far more evenly than most rattle can paints. The primer dries quickly (three thin coats five to ten minutes apart are recommended) and can have the color coats applied after only an hour or so. While the can doesn't specify any temperature range for applying the paint, I have used it in 65-80°F temperatures without any problems. Obviously, the paint will dry faster at higher temperatures. Lower is better since the primer has to be liquid to etch the surface. The can does not recommend applying color coats directly to this primer (SEM doesn't specifically say so but a conventional primer should be used over the self etching primer), which is consistent with other self etching primers I have used which recommend using a regular primer over the self etching primer before applying color coats. I found that Krylon's Dual, a combination of primer and color coat, will work well when applied directly to this self etching primer, which reduces the overall number of coats of paint needed (the Krylon dries very slowly, though, although coats can be applied around 30 minutes apart). As always, proper surface prep is needed. I wet sand the surface with 320 or 400 wet/dry (which one depends how smooth a surface I want), then, after rinsing the piece with hot water and letting it dry thoroughly, I wipe it down with an acetone saturated cloth to degrease the surface (denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner also work well). While degreasing the work and handling it afterword, I wear disposable nitrile gloves to protect my skin and keep skin oils off the surface of the work. The price may seem high compared to other rattle can paints but is actually competitive with other self etching primers when you consider this comes in 15.5 oz. cans instead of the usual 12 oz. cans. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sourced from a good seller *by S***E on 25 July 2026* SEM products are of good quality. This can is in the current price range found from retailers. Fast shipping is a plus. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My favorite rattle can primer *by T***. on 7 July 2026* The nozzle has a nice fan pattern. I really like the self etching as my projects often sand through to small spots of bare metal and I prefer to always etch. ## Frequently Bought Together - SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. - SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz. - SEM 42003 Black High Build Primer - 16 oz. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/265517975-39673-black-self-etching-primer-15-5-oz](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/265517975-39673-black-self-etching-primer-15-5-oz) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-09-09*