Etch Primers

[t306]

Can some one tell me the reason for using a etch primer? My local paint supplier is telling me I need to use it before appling the first coat of primer. I used stripper and finished by sanding the metal clean. There are small spot that have been sanded but still show small amounts of old primer. Is there a specific reason for etch primer?

 

[Jim]

Etch primer is used over bare metal for rust protection,and to give your paint something to adhere to.

 

[t306]

Do you need to use a primer after the etch prime is applied or can you shoot the base coat right over the etch primer?

 

[Jim]

Etch primer offers some... but not much rust protection and you need to use a good 2k primer over it.

 

[rex]

Some etch primers allow you to base right over them but Jim is right.Another consideration is thickness,etch primers are very thin so if you go right to color you have no cushion and it will chip much easier.Big no-no on the front surfaces of a vehicle.

 

[t306]

thanks Jim, I appreciate the help.

 

[t306]

thanks Rex, appreciate your help.

 

[Jim]

t306,No problem,you can get damn near anything answered here on the Flames Board!If there is a mistake to be made,I probably made it.... or avoided it by asking here first!Welcome aboard!Jim

 

[nico]

if using etch primer,on bare metal, no need for loads of coats just enought to cover so that all th metal surface is covered,then id use a good (ive used upol 5:1) hight build primer and id give it several good coats so the base coat/ solid had a good adhesive, ive recently painted a for mk1 escort, and i flatter the primer with 800, wet or dry, i did it wet (didnt want the da sander going thru, then flatter the 800 grit with much finer to take marks out , base coat , then laquare, looks fantastic, purple velvet

 

[TAZ]

Etch primer is mainly used to...well, etch into metal before you put on epoxy primer. I used to use it on all jobs, but it seems the newer primers can now be sprayed over raw metal.

On raw alum, it is required that you use a chromate primer, BUT a zinc type primer from what I gather is no longer available. I could be wrong on this. I don't do too many alum panels.

 

[TAZ]

This was an old but good thread.