9 replies to this topic

[Sean1]

Hi I'm doing a full resto on my mini I have done some time in bodyshops in the past but nothing to this extent. I've had it sand blasted so it's completely bare and I've had it in my mind since the start that I was going to zinc primer the whole shell. Reading up on it, it's the perfect stuff use on bare metal, rust preventative, used on boats! And it can be painted over. I was doing a search to make sure it can be painted over and if it can be prepped for normal primer then paint etc and all I keep seeing is use etch primer for bare metal and only use the zinc for areas to be welded? Is it not advisable to do the whole lot in zinc?
Thanks in advance and sorry if this has already been covered here?
Sean.

[ryan22_lgm]

Yes it is advised to use a decent quality etch primer on bare metal as this chemically eats itself into the metal surface making it the ideal surface to prime onto. At least that's what it's supposed to do! XD cheap stuff will not do this and are basically pointless. You need a proper acid etch as the first coat on bare metal. Work in a big bodyshop!

[sonikk4]

Any areas to weld i use zinc rich primer and for anything else while i'm welding i use epoxy primer as its water resistant. Zinc primer is not.

[littlewimp]

As above, epoxy primer is the way forward .

[skoughi]

Yep don't use rattle can etch primer, doesn't work. Get advice and supply from a pro shop on what's best to use. You don't have to ask on why I'm advising this route!!

[Stu.]

Bilt Hamber Electrox zinc rich primer is waterproof. I'm using it on my resto but will still be overpainting it with epoxy mastics and primers.

[cal844]

Use acid etch primerr, then a high build primer, then paint

[Sean1]

Thanks for your response guys so would you say acid etch then the bits that need welding take them back to bare metal and prime with weld through zinc? Is there anything that can go on before the etch to prevent rust or is it good enough on it's own.
Thanks

[Sean1]

Bilt Hamber Electrox zinc rich primer is waterproof. I'm using it on my resto but will still be overpainting it with epoxy mastics and primers.

this stuff does look good I'm going to call them for some more info

[Daz1968]

If you using a spray gun just use epoxy on bare steel it's brilliant stuff, if you need to paint in-between seams before spot-welding then just use a can of upol weld thru primer on these areas, or the electrox bilt hamber product.
But please don't use etch under epoxy as it's designed to grip fresh clean steel and it does this brilliantly