11 replies to this topic

[ToddM]

Hey guys! I've got to the stage at which I will need primer soon and I was looking at the different options. Was wondering have any of you ever mixed your own primer? The good old lead primers were much better quality, stuck better to the metal and provided better protection in comparison with all modern alternatives it seems. It doesn't even look that difficult to make - a bit of linseed oil, the red lead powder and some turpentine and liquid drier and you'd be covering your car's underside with quality underseal in no time. I've been told they use this kind of primer on boats and other pieces of naval equipment with great results.

I've found a website which sells the red lead powder quite cheap for the UK - about £21 a kilo after tax. However I'm not sure about the exact proportions it has to be mixed in with the linseed oil. Any of you have any experience with the stuff and care to share?

[ANON]

just go with a decent etch primer

[danny79]

epoxy primer gets my vote..

[tiger99]

Red lead primer is illegal, and has been for some years now. There are severe penalties for its use. In any case it was not actually all that good, especially on cars, and was more suited to heavy steelwork like the Forth Bridge, which nowadays actually uses epoxy based primer.

[087dave]

i work in a dockyard as a diesel fitter and i can tell you no one uses it any more not on ships hulls
it IS toxic and CAN give you ill heath

[ToddM]

That's what forums are for, eh? Cheers guys. Any suggestions on the epoxy primer that I should use?

[ANON]

where are you on the wirral?

[firstforward]

http://www.autopaint...rimer-121-p.asp

this is what I use

[danny79]

http://rust.co.uk/po...4984&p_n=404984

http://rust.co.uk/po...1025&p_n=501025

http://www.paints4u....Mainselection=7

[Rhys]

I'm using POR15, expensive but very good.

[ToddM]

where are you on the wirral?

West Kirby, mate but the car's in Bebington while I'm working on it. And thanks for the suggestions everybody!

[ANON]

go to cunbar and ask them what they recommend.