First coat on bare metal.

[PaulMcElhinney]

I have a Jensen Interceptor that I am planning the restoration of. At this stage I am simply gathering spares and planning. May I ask the forum the following question.

I have bought a new rear nearside quarter panel from Martin Robeys. It came painted in ordinary grey primer. I want the rear surface of this panel to have maximum corrosion protection. I have spotted a couple of small areas of surface rust where the primer was thin. For a good zinc primer to be effective does it have to be the first coat on the bare metal? I have bought a tin of Unidox Zinc Rich Primer. This was recommended by Practical Classics a few years ago. Is this suitable primer to use?

Secondly I have read about Zintec and Nivec steel coatings. As sills are notoriously rust prone on these cars I want to have sill sections made up from these steels. Which ones have members used and recommend?

Any other tips or corrosion protecting enclosed areas will be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Paul McElhinney.

 

[malcolm]

Yes - any paint that offers a galvanising action needs to be sprayed directly onto bare steel.

There's confusion sometimes as zinc phosphates are also used in primers. They make the paint stick well but don't offer any galvanising protection.

The zinc rich paints will be 90% or more zinc by weight. If you have a tin of that it'll be strangely heavy. But it doesn't stick very well so you need to abrade really well or shotblast to help it cling on.

What I do is paint hidden areas (insides of chassis and underneath of the car) with the properly zinc rich stuff, but the outside surfaces I'll use self etch primer (again only effective on bare metal) for a good bond and the filler primers and colour coats on top.

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

Thank you Malcolm, that certainly helps. Any opinions on the zintec type steels?

 

[malcolm]

The zintec is only a thin coating intended to stop the sheet from rusting before you have a chance to use it. It's great stuff and all my steel is coated this way.

Probably helps with corrosion protection for your project as the protection should remain there after you have painted over it. So once the paint chips off the coating is still there. I don't rely on it as I only use the stuff for repairs.

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

Thanks for your reply Malcolm. I am trying to work out why I posted it under the Plasma Cutter section!

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[jaykay]

was'nt interceptor fibre glass??

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

No, the CV8 and 541 were but the Interceptor is steel body on tubular steel chassis.

You maybe thinking of the Reliant Scimitar, everyone seems to mix them up with Interceptors. Scimitars are fibreglass.

 

[danelectro]

was'nt interceptor fibre glass??

I think you're thinking of the Scimitar - I thought exactly the same though!!!