Abstract: An aerosol primer composition includes a film forming component and a propellant component. The film forming component includes (by weight of the composition): (a) at least one of a polyurethane and alkyd from about 10% to about 20%, (b) cellulosic particles from about 2% to about 5%, and (c) an aqueous solvent system from about 20% to about 40%. The propellant component includes dimethyl ether. The aerosol primer composition can be stored within a spray assembly and the propellant component can be configured to pressurize the film forming component for dispensing from the spray assembly as an aerosol. The aerosol primer composition can be used to prime a substrate to be painted or stained.