Rosco Tough Prime Sample
Tough Prime is Rosco's fast-drying acrylic primer designed to bond to many of the difficult surfaces encountered in theatres, workshops, film studios, scenery construction and production environments.
About Your Sample
Your sample has been decanted by Creative Film & Theatre Solutions from genuine Rosco Tough Prime stock so you can evaluate the product before purchasing a larger quantity.
Before starting your project, apply the sample to a small test area and allow it to dry thoroughly. Check adhesion, appearance and compatibility with your particular substrate and any coatings you intend to apply over it.
Sample containers are supplied for product evaluation and may differ from Rosco's original retail packaging.
What is Rosco Tough Prime?
Tough Prime is a water-based acrylic primer developed to bond to a wide range of scenic and production materials, including surfaces that can be difficult to prime conventionally.
Once dry, it forms a durable, water-resistant coating that can be painted over with Rosco Scenic Paints and most other water-based or solvent-based paints. Rosco recommends testing compatibility first whenever you are unsure.
Suitable Applications & Surfaces
Rosco specifies Tough Prime for preparing a broad range of surfaces for painting, including:
Surface Preparation
Good surface preparation is important for reliable adhesion.
Make sure it is clean, dry and free from dirt and grease.
If painting over an existing painted finish, remove loose material before applying Tough Prime.
Rosco recommends using fine sandpaper or steel wool to give solvent-based finishes and high-gloss surfaces more tooth.
Thoroughly remove dust generated during surface preparation before applying Tough Prime.
Use your sample on a small area to confirm adhesion and compatibility before coating the complete project.
How to Apply Tough Prime
Before you begin
Stir the Tough Prime thoroughly before use. Do not shake.
Brush
Apply an even, uniform coat with a good-quality brush. Use overlapping strokes and maintain a wet edge.
Roller
Apply evenly with a good-quality roller. Change roller direction regularly to minimise patterns and streaking.
Spray
Tough Prime may also be applied using a spray gun. Ensure appropriate ventilation and refer to the current SDS before spraying.
Should I dilute Tough Prime?
Normally, no. Rosco recommends using Tough Prime undiluted for most applications.
When brushing, Rosco states that it may be necessary to dilute Tough Prime with water to achieve the proper viscosity. Rosco does not publish a fixed dilution ratio for Tough Prime, so avoid using an arbitrary dilution ratio.
How many coats should I apply?
Rosco does not specify a universal fixed number of coats.
Apply Tough Prime in even, uniform coats and do not apply a heavy coat. Where a more durable finish is required, Rosco recommends building the coating with several thin coats, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Application temperature
Do not apply Tough Prime when the surface temperature or air temperature is below 10°C (50°F).
Protect the product from freezing.
Coverage
Drying & Recoating
Rosco publishes the following average drying information at 24°C (75°F):
Clean-Up
Soap + Water
Rosco specifies soap and water for clean-up.
Clean brushes, rollers and suitable application equipment promptly after use rather than allowing Tough Prime to dry on the equipment.
Important Information
Before Using Tough Prime
- Do not apply below 10°C (50°F) surface or air temperature.
- Keep Tough Prime from freezing.
- Use adequate ventilation.
- Avoid prolonged skin contact.
- Avoid breathing spray.
- Do not ingest.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Always test compatibility and adhesion when unsure.
- Read the current Rosco product information and SDS before use.
This page is intended as a practical product-use reference and does not replace Rosco's current product documentation or Safety Data Sheet.
Storage
Keep Tough Prime securely closed when not in use and protect it from freezing.
Your 125 mL sample has been decanted from the original Rosco container. For best results, keep the sample container tightly closed and use it for product evaluation rather than treating the sample container as long-term storage packaging.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Please read the current Safety Data Sheet and Rosco product instructions before using this product.
Tough Prime Black and Tough Prime White have separate Rosco SDS documentation. Select the product you are using below.
These buttons link to Rosco's Resource Center so customers can access Rosco's maintained product safety documentation rather than relying on a PDF copied onto this page.
Need Help?
If you're unsure whether Tough Prime is suitable for your surface or application, contact us before proceeding with the full project.
Rosco Australia & New Zealand
5A Sefton Road, Thornleigh NSW 2120
P: 02 9906 6262
More Rosco Information
Looking for more information about where Tough Prime fits within the Rosco scenic coating system?
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Shop the full-size Rosco Tough Prime range from Creative Film & Theatre Solutions.
SHOP ROSCO TOUGH PRIME →All technical data, recommendations and service are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Rosco assumes no responsibility for results obtained or damage incurred from use since method of application and use are beyond our control.