I have just picked up a "beginner pinto" to work on while I look for the CW of my dreams. I will be working on it a little at a time and may put it aside for a while when I find my CW.
My question is this. Since I will be working on this a little at a time, and since it may be some time before it gets its final paint job, what would be the best primer to use?
Considerations:
I will be removing rust, old woodgrain vinyl, old paint etc a little bit at a time and will need to "protect" the newly cleaned metal for the long term.
I will need something that comes in a spray can (I don't own a paint gun of course)
I don't know what kind of paint will be the final finish, so the primer needs to be widely compatible.
Based on all this information, what do you experts think would be my best bet?
Thanks.
Yes, its old. Yes, its ugly. Yes, it used to be a Squire wagon. Yes, I picked it up yesterday for $100
(http://www.harmonygm.org/IMG_0575a.jpg)
http://www.harmonygm.org/IMG_0575a.jpg
I'd say good old fashioned red-oxide primer would be your best bet. considering how you will be going at it, the red-oxide is easy to use and much more durable when left un-painted, plus it seems to fill in minor imperfections a little better than the black or grey. good luck!!! and happy holidays.
Remember , primer is not a top coat, it shouldn't be expected to perform that duty. I would spray freshly exposed metal to the new rust-preventative types from Krylon or any name brand who claims rust elimination. Then a quick coat of filling, sandable primer, and then a coat of the cheapest lacquer spray you can find, applied thinly. That way, when you do get ready for your "show" coatings, most of the hard work is done. And, yes, it does look pretty much like a calico cat while you do it, when you get ready to final coat it, it is easier to do. Also, apply a sealer over all the the coatings before you spray your top coat, to eliminate incompatibility issues.
Your primer coats only have an "exposed" life of a month or so- good luck
I agree, straight primers are made to be porous and will be like a sponge, holding water against metal. When water is allowed to sit on it, it will start to rust the metal under it. You will never see it until it is too late. It should be top-coated, or use a quality primer/sealer.
IMO: There are no spray can primers/paint that will provide any long lasting protection or a quality finish. Most good paints will need a good primer to provide a good finish. That is a lot of work, and the better paint and the cost of equipment is well worth it in the end. Most of the stuff you need can be had fairly cheap. Find out what you plan to paint it with and use stuff that will work with it. Again, just my $.02.
Congrats on the new car!!
Bill