17 replies to this topic

[Swift_General]

Hi. I am about to order some welding supplies for my project and wonder what people's view are for priming onto bare metal. I have done some searches but there seems to be conflicting advice out there. I will mostly be using heritage panels and intend to use a weld through primer between panels where They are spot welded, but see that you and get weld through etch and zinc primers. What do people use? I will also be replacing small areas of corrosion with clean bare metal. Would it be best to etch those areas or use a zinc primer for corrosion protection? If I use zinc will it stick as well and an etch primer? I intend to spray epoxy primer over all the repairs in the fullness of time but until I do that will porosity be an issue? (Car will be under cover in a garage?). Thanks.

[FlyingScot]

Bilt Hamber Electrox. I spoke to their technical department and its fine with garage and piece meal working unlike most primers which are porous and let moisture through.
I bought some spray cans for small bits and a tin for dilution with thinners to spray on larger bits.
http://www.bilthambe...atings/electrox

Works for me, although I am sure there are other products people use.

FS

[Swift_General]

Thanks. I did look at that as a few people seem to rate it. Use that on bare metal then and their etchweld in spot welded areas?

[FlyingScot]

I don't use weld thru primer when I am spot welding as I don't want anything interfering with the contact.
I just spray some electrox into the seam afterwards and then coat fully.
Again that's what I do, but if you were going to use a weld primer based on my experience with their other products (Deox and s50 wax etc ) I am sure it will be good stuff.
The biggest advantage I find with them is you can phone them up and discuss what you are doing and get a recommendation. I phoned their sales number and ordered some bits and asked about electrox. The technical manager phoned me back in 10 minutes and told me what would be best and pointed some reviews to read.
All very professional and its British made.
FS

[Swift_General]

Thanks. I have been impressed with the results some on this forum have got with some of the deox products so may place an order!

Edited by Swift_General, 20 February 2015 - 02:31 PM.

[newenglandmini]

I've tried weld-through primers and found that they interfere with both my MIG and spot welders.  I weld using clean metal, and then try to prime and seal the resultant seams.

[Swift_General]

Okay. I think I will zinc prime the bare metal, then try and get it in any spot welded seams, followed by epoxy and then stone chip with wax in the cavities. That's the plan anyway. Thanks.

[Stu.]

Im using electrox and up to now Im very pleased with it. I apply it to bare metal after removing any surface corrosion with Deox gel, which is also very good. I'll be covering the electrox with epoxy mastic too. Etch primers may be good for bonding to metal, but they cant provide the long term corrosion protection that heavy zinc primers offer. Correct preperation of the metal prior to applying the paint is THE only way to ensure sucessful long term paint performance. You must remove the corrosion, properly key the surface and panel wipe with a silicone degreaser first and use a tack cloth, especially when spraying. Put more time into the prep and youll save lots of time and money longterm. ;)

[Ben_O]

I use a zinc primer called SAS.

 

I use it as both a primer and a weld through primer and have got good results.

 

I started using it over a year ago and the metal i sprayed with it at the time is still holding up brilliantly.

 

As for mig plugging with a weld through primer, i spray the flanges/edges up with it and then clamp the panels up. Where i have the holes drilled for the mig plugs, i remove the primer from the metal within the hole using a wire brush in a drill.

 

Like this,

 

 

It's great stuff and is priced well too. £30 for 6 cans

 

Ben

[Swift_General]

Thanks all. Ben I hadn't thought of the wire brush idea in a drill to minimise primer removal to only that necessary to plug weld. I like that. I'll definitely be getting some Deox as well.

[Swift_General]

.

Edited by Swift_General, 21 February 2015 - 07:36 AM.

[Ben_O]

Thanks all. Ben I hadn't thought of the wire brush idea in a drill to minimise primer removal to only that necessary to plug weld. I like that. I'll definitely be getting some Deox as well.

This is what i use.

 

[castafiore]

I use those wire drill brushes. They are super cheap at Tool station - usually free delivery over £10 too. They don't last that long but are decent value. A Dremmel with a burr on is useful for getting rust out of seam lines too.

[T5FAU]

Apologies for old thread revival, But do you still rate SAS zinc primer ? Do you still use it ? Trying to decide to use this or Electrox.

 

 

I use a zinc primer called SAS.

 

I use it as both a primer and a weld through primer and have got good results.

 

I started using it over a year ago and the metal i sprayed with it at the time is still holding up brilliantly.

 

As for mig plugging with a weld through primer, i spray the flanges/edges up with it and then clamp the panels up. Where i have the holes drilled for the mig plugs, i remove the primer from the metal within the hole using a wire brush in a drill.

 

Like this,

 

 

It's great stuff and is priced well too. £30 for 6 cans

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

 

Apologies for old thread revival, But do you still rate SAS zinc primer ? Do you still use it ? Trying to decide to use this or Electrox.

 

 

I use a zinc primer called SAS.

 

I use it as both a primer and a weld through primer and have got good results.

 

I started using it over a year ago and the metal i sprayed with it at the time is still holding up brilliantly.

 

As for mig plugging with a weld through primer, i spray the flanges/edges up with it and then clamp the panels up. Where i have the holes drilled for the mig plugs, i remove the primer from the metal within the hole using a wire brush in a drill.

 

Like this,

 

It's great stuff and is priced well too. £30 for 6 cans

 

Ben

 

I haven't used it for a few years now.

At work, I have started using a zinc primer from screwfix of all places!

https://www.screwfix...ver-400ml/40801

 

It's brilliant stuff and only needs a light coat. Plug welds and spot welds thru very well. Only advice is apply it lightly or it goes on too heavily.

I buy it in bulk so save £££