Primer Question!

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Feb 9, 2006 | 08:36 PM

88FordF-150

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Primer Question!

I have a question. What do I mix with the primer. Reducer, hardener or what?
I am going to try and paint my own truck!! I would like to leave it primer black because I like that look is that ok, or will it peel or rust faster or anything?

Feb 9, 2006 | 08:46 PM

kenseth17

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From: green bay, WI

The only primer I would consider driving around in for any period of time would be an epoxy primer. They are not porous and soak up moisture like urethane and lacquer primers are. The epoxy may chalk out some over time exposed to sunlight because they do not have any uv protection as they are meant to be used under paint. The product sheet or can of primer should tell you the mix ratio and what to use with it. Urethane and epoxy primers will bothe have a hardener with it, and may or may not call for reduction, but you could still reduce it as long as you don't go overboard. The lacquer primer would only be mixed with lacquer thinner to get to the proper spraying consistancy, but it would be last on my list of primer to use.

Feb 9, 2006 | 09:40 PM

jm5770

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From: Wheeling, WV

I have only sprayed PPG brand paint. I have noticed all epoxy primers and sealers can only go for up to 3 days, and they need to be scuffed and resprayed before topcoating. The urethane can go for an indefinite amount of time. But, like kenseth17 said, the urethane is pourous and if exposed in the elements it wont last. Only lasting protection is going to be some kind of topcoat paint. Once again paint has protective qualities, primers and sealers do not. I made the mistake once of epoxy primering a fender, and it sat for about 2 months in a garage. It had began to rust through the primer by just sitting in the garage. Some kind of paint is your best bet. You can spray enamel with a flat black look and it should do you fine.

Feb 9, 2006 | 10:09 PM

88FordF-150

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Ok I will find an enamel like flat black. My next question is who makes a good primer and enamel?

Feb 9, 2006 | 10:19 PM

kenseth17

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From: green bay, WI

PPG epoxy use to be good, but since it went lead free, I haven't used it or heard a lot of good about it. Use to be as long as the metal was rust free, epoxy would hold up fine. Not sure what the best epoxy is nowadays, since most took the lead and zinc out. If you want to spray a flat black, you can use any automotive grade paint and add a flatening agent, add some and spray test pieces till you get the level of gloss you are looking for. If you use some paint like rustoleum or some other paint like that, it could be a problem if you were to paint it at a later date, unless you sand all of it off.