Expert: Michael Kakuk - 8/27/2009

Question
Mike,

I am restoring a 1957 GMC pickup.  I am using body solder(lead)for the major panel replacement to fill seams and to fill small dents.  The truck was sandblasted then coated with Dupont Self-Etching Primer (going on 2 years ago)  Most of the primer is still in good shape (with a few areas that show some signs of light rust?)  What I want to learn is what is the best primer to use on areas that I am now going back into to repair, (cab corners, dings etc.)??  Do I stick with the Dupont self-etching primer?  There are so many "brands" and types of primers and surfacers out there - which ones can be used together or should I stick with one manufacturer's products throughout the finishing of the truck?

I appreciate any and all advise!  Thanks, Richard

Answer
Richard.....Technically speaking if you go down to bare metal it is best to use a self etching primer. This primer bites into the bare metal giving it good adhesion properties and is topcoated with a 2 part epoxy primer. Some etching primers are also 2 part epoxy based and you can top coat.

If the surface is clean and shiny like a baby's hiny then you should not have a problem using a 2 part epoxy based primer. I would stick with the Dupont line from start to finish.

I did my 80 GMC shortbed using a generic 2 part epoxy primer and top coated with Dupont 10 years
ago and have had no issues.