Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

[03mach1]

Well I just put the first bit of primer down and I was wondering if you guys have any tips when primering to make it come out great. I am not sure on how many coats and what grit of sand paper to use to sand the primer to get it ready for paint. Plus any other tips would be helpful this is my time priming. I am useing a spray can primer which I think still came out great.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

take your time, because imperfections in the primer coats will show up in the finished paint, you want to get it a smooth and perfect as you can. I'm not sure what to use as far as sand paper, maybe someone will be able to chime in

[retrofinisher]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

If you are using an aerosol- I suggest Duplicolors light gray lacquer filler primer.

Available at Napa, Advanced Auto, and may other stores.

Alot of so called sandable primers take a looong time to dry and are not very sandable.

I like to do a spot fill coat at repair spots, sand and then do a entire surface coat- that way you can improve the top coat colr uniformity.

Do not use heat on the primer- it can cause cracking.

sanding use a minimum grit of 400 and definitely use a flexible wet sanding pad (about 3x2 inches in size). Keep the wet sand paper sufficiently wet and rinse frequently.

To check for bumps and scratches wipe off the area with clear water and eyeball down the panel and you can see minor scratches or areas needing additional work.

To check for sanding coverage of the fender or panel spray a dusting of dark gray lacquer primer and just dust the panel lightly- this can help you know when you are over the entire area.

Priming/filling takes at least 2 coats.

I'd stay away from the old school lacquer puddies, only for pin holes in body fillers.

I'd consider getting a small 3-5 hp compressor and economy spot finishing spray gun. For priming/filling you are not nearly concerned about spray quality as with the top coat. Also makes coverage of the entire car a lot easier.

a hint abuot primers- they can be porous and if left outside without the top coat will rust through.

Lastly have the paint shop apply a primer sealer that is suitable for the paint they apply. Have them block it out one last time.

Good luck

[Paul S]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

Make sure the rattle can primer is compatible with whatever paint you choose to apply. Check with your painter if you are not sure.

[retrofinisher]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

HotrodPaul is definitely correct, thats why the primer needs to compatible with the paint shop primer sealer.

top coat solvent flash time and paint lifting can be had with "the wrong paint can be a wrinkling peeling $$$$$ mess",

Lastly I notice from the photo you have lots of little close together spot repairs, when priming and blocking out with wet san papers you should sand all at one time- not each little spot- that way you don't end up with hundreds of craters.

[03mach1]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

The car stays inside. I used 400 Grit sandpaper, before I primed and once the primer went down and I used Dupli color it is a darker grey I could see small inconspicuous scartches but it does look good now. when you mean top coat is that the final primer coat before primer sealer or paint. Primer sealer would that be best to do by a spray gun? My main concern is the rust issue. What is the most maximum amount of time I have between the primer going down and painting it. do I have to wet sand? Can I buy a dry sand primer to go over the dupli color. This is my first time so I am learning as I go. Thanks you guys for the help.

[03mach1]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

you should see the driver side of the car it had tiny rust spots and I did the spot repair. should I go back over all those repairs to smooth them out. I do get what you mean about the spot repairs because I can feel the difference of the metal to paint. Can I just sand it down to level it out? should i keep a can of the Dupli color to show to the shop what I used and they will match it up?

[retrofinisher]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

Stang, The color of the primer is not my concern as much as adhesion of your top coat. They may prefer a polyester primer sealer

Aerosol lacquer primer or lacquer is not the primary type of refinishing primer now.

If you have a painter in mind I would really suggest you ask them for comments.

The primer filler that I use for small parts is good at adding thickness without excess. Fill in the spots and then overcoat around the entire area.

Then wet sand over the entire area.

Rust spots---hopefully you used a rust conditioner, just sanding does not get into the metal grain like a liquid rust remover or conditioner that nuetralizes the oxides are also helps with adhesion to bare metals.

(ps- my previous mustang GA tag was stang65)

[03mach1]

Re: Started to put primer down on my T-Bird

Rust mort be good. I could paint it on the door where the rust is. I would like to have a body shop guy do this because I am not really that good at this.the roof wich is where I primed did not have any rust but the water gutter side trim on the roof had quite a bit of rust I may sand the primer off in that area and put some rust mort on. I have a painter in mind and one does it as a side job and has classic 65,66 mustangs and had a rep to paint cars and always had rep of having the nicest cars in high school. and the other one is a friends dad and I seen his duaghters car after sanding it and priming it looked great and he used all the Dupli color aerosols and he has painted cars all his life so I would like to have my friends dad do it. He said he would help me and show me but I will do the work as he watches what I do.