I am going to have my car blasted down to bare metal, all glass out doors off dash out I mean completely apart they are going to do the whole car inside and out top to bottom and was wandering what kind of primer I should have them put on after they do it. I never want to have to do this again so something that prevents rust would be great, but I will have to do body work after it is primed and after reading some of the stuff on this board it seems to get really complicated and I want to be sure to get the right stuff. There are a few spots I will have to use some filler, a dent that will need worked out (that will be a learning experince) and I will replace the floor pans and install a mustang II front end so some welding will be done after the priming. The main thing is that I want to get the car all cleaned up so I know what I have to work with, but I don't want it covered in surface rust a week after I get it blasted, it could be a long time before it gets the finish paint I mean years. What do you suggest? I am completely new to body work so any help is appreciated.
-Johnboy

 

Well one could be PPG DPLF Epoxy Primer which has 6 base colors. I use the black (DP90LF) for the engine compartment and the gray-green (DP40LF) for exteriors. This is a catalyst primer and is a excellent corrosion resistant primer.

 

Why do they make different colors? Do I need to pick a color based on the final color? I was planning on going with a dark metallic green off the new pickups, and standard flat black in the engine compartment.
-Johnboy

 

If its all blasted or sanded and clean of rust, epoxy primer is what you need, at least for over baremetal and protection and sealing things up. Body filler work can be done over epoxy, either by doing it while the epoxy is still within the time window to do so (3-7 days seems to be the range for most manufacturers), or by roughing up the area you will be applying it to first with 180 if out of the window. The same applys if applying additional coats of primer as well. This doesn't apply to other primer types. I would suggest getting tech sheets for the products you pick, so you can follow there recommended procedures for use.
Yes I believe they make different color primers mainly for coverage, your final coats or seal coat you want a shade that will allow for the easiest coverage of your color. On completes I'll usually prime or seal the whole thing to get everything on color to start applying color coats too (no choice in your situation, since your doing it right and starting off fresh on an older car)
If you ever did have a car that had buff colored primer spots and then getting those spots to cover with a transparent red basecoat, you would understand why choice is important. Many colors have recommendation on what shade to use when you look up the paint formula, and you want to try to stay close to that, at least for what shade you end up painting over.
You will want to get epoxy on it as soon as possible, freshly blasted steel will flash rust quickly.

 

Thanks for the help guys I'm sure I will have more questions as this goes on but it is a long term project so not too many too quick, right now I'm just knocking off all the under coat, window tar, and any other chunks of crud I can find wit wire wheels just want to be sure every thing comes off in the blaster and they charge by the hour.
-Johnboy