Abstract: Disclosed is a primer-surfacer composition comprising a vehicle of a balanced acrylic polymer of methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid, the resultant polymer having an acid value in the range of about 25 to 35, the polymer having a relative viscosity of about 16 to 32 poise measured at 40% polymer solids in a toluene and isopropyl alcohol solvent at 25.degree. C. The primer-surfacer may also contain dispersed pigments and/or fillers such as carbon blacks, talc, iron oxide, clay, etc. The primer-surfacer composition is primarily used over unprimed, primed or previously finished metal or plastic substrates to provide a surface to which an acrylic lacquer, an acrylic enamel, an alkyd enamel or a polyurethane enamel coating can be applied. The primer-surfacer of this invention may be easily sanded to provide a finish for vehicles of excellent intercoat adhesion, excellent chip and corrosion resistance and excellent fill.