resto-mod 55 Tee-bird project

[paul2748]

I'm no paint expert, but most primers are not waterproof and rust can start behind it. What I think you need is an epoxy primer, which blocks moisture

Never heard the part about paint not being waterproof, seems to be on most cars.

Anybody who paints metal without using a primer shouldn't be painting. The only exception I know of is Rustoleum and even they recommend their rusty metal primer.

 

[fordrodsteven]

I was going to have the car blasted but decided to chemically strip it myself. Yes, You are correct regarding primer allowing moisture through. and I agree that the paint does seal the surface from getting moisture through to the primer. I took an auto body course years ago and the instructor was emphatic. The primer is just a bonding agent between the steel and the paint. Primer is very porous and will cause rust underneath. I know this and I also know that now there are epoxy based primers that are better than anything that was available years ago. I am just putting on a temporary coating of primer which I will be removing in the future when I am ready to start the actual final body work and painting process. Yes I have been using rust-O-leum primer for rusty metal. I don't want to put any conversion coating on just yet. I have lots of sheet metal (welding and shaping) work to do and another frame that I want to get set up (302, automatic, disc brakes and suspension work) and ready for this body. As I said this primer is just temporary and will be completely redone later. I have an auto body supply house nearby and will be getting everything from them (compatible primers, fillers and paints) to take me from bare metal to final finish.

 

[fordrodsteven]

Hi, I'm still working on the car (although not as fast as I had hoped). I have been stripping the paint to bare metal and then priming to get ready to lift the body off. There's still a couple areas of rusted metal that I want to fix before the body off. I don't like the idiot lights in dash and I don't want to have gauges hanging down under the dash. I also decided I don't really need a tachometer (I don't intend to do any high revs) or the clock (the radio will have a clock). I am attaching pics of my concept. As I get it going I'll post pics showing how I do it.