Paint primer

Starting to prep and prime various pieces. Is there a best primer for general purpose? I'm going to clean and prep as best I can. I'm looking for the most reliable primer should the prep be less than ideal. Not looking or expecting automotive type finish. Just want a resonable base coat for the paint. Any recommendations?
 
I always use an epoxy primer they are a two part primer very forgiving and can applied over small amounts of paint( what I don’t sandblast I use a wire brush on sidegrinder)


(quoted from post at 21:17:53 03/03/18) Starting to prep and prime various pieces. Is there a best primer for general purpose? I'm going to clean and prep as best I can. I'm looking for the most reliable primer should the prep be less than ideal. Not looking or expecting automotive type finish. Just want a resonable base coat for the paint. Any recommendations?
 
Kind of depends on how much you want to spend and how much
work you want to do. Epoxy primer is really good, tough stuff.
I've always had to sand it to get it smooth and it isn't the easiest
to sand. Once it's done though, it looks good and lasts well.

Most of the time, I use the old automotive lacquer primer.
Dry in 5 minutes, sands with a light rub over of a Scotchbrite pad.
It does require more coats than Epoxy as it is thin.
But it dries so fast and sands so easily the time equals out for me.

I should insert proper safety warnings for paint products here. ;)
 
Not looking or expecting automotive type finish.
If you're not really picky about appearance then don't bother with primer - Just go straight to top coat. No primer used when it left the factory. I use primer/filler preparatory to block sanding.

Depending on what type of paint you're using, a sealer may be more appropriate?
 
(quoted from post at 00:49:46 03/04/18)
Not looking or expecting automotive type finish.
If you're not really picky about appearance then don't bother with primer - Just go straight to top coat. No primer used when it left the factory. I use primer/filler preparatory to block sanding.

Depending on what type of paint you're using, a sealer may be more appropriate?


Great replies - thanks folks. Given my setup, my prep is limited. Small shop, not easily moved around. No drainage so no power wash. No sandblasting. Just hands on degreasing and cleaning, maybe some light sanding etc.. So I don't think I can go straight to paint. Need some type of uniform base for paint to grab onto. I need to look into the epoxy primer - sounds interesting and very forgiving.
 
If you are going to use an epoxy primer you should be aware that most require that a top coat be applied within 72 hours. If this in not met, then you must recoat with the primer. The reason for this is because there is a chemical bonding process that occurs rather than a mechanical process in the drying.
 

I strongly recommend rolling it to where you can at least spray with a garden hose to flush out the tougher to get at places. Places that are not protected by grease should be prepped with a phosphoric acid product. It is very disappointing to see the paint bubbling up after two years due to the rust that will certainly be left there. For what you are describing Rustoleum rusty metal primer should be an adequate primer. For the sheet metal use a sandable primer as it is thicker and will cover some scratches etc.
 
(quoted from post at 06:14:48 03/04/18)
I strongly recommend rolling it to where you can at least spray with a garden hose to flush out the tougher to get at places. Places that are not protected by grease should be prepped with a phosphoric acid product. It is very disappointing to see the paint bubbling up after two years due to the rust that will certainly be left there. For what you are describing Rustoleum rusty metal primer should be an adequate primer. For the sheet metal use a sandable primer as it is thicker and will cover some scratches etc.


I’m going to try to roll the tractor out of my shop once wheels are back on. In the meantime spot cleaning with degreaser and wire brush. I was reading there is a specific Rustoleum primer product that is good for “less than optimal surfaces”, can’t remember the specific one. Anyone remember? Sounds like it’s a good basic primer, remember I’m looking for simple and easy. This is my first project. Not looking for showroom quality, or complicated multi step process.
 
The best primer I have found is Rustoleum red oxide oil based primer. I have test painted some things thinned down a lot, it can be left out in the weather and you can see where it was too thin it would start to rust. Even the other parts of the piece that had just a tad more were protected and wouldnt rust after exposure of 3 weeks. It was a very thin test mixture. I think the oxide in the paint makes it think its rusty already. I paint close to full strength then paint with the Ford oil based paints. I dont care for a hard paint as its a real pain to remove. I use a needle scaler to remove old paint and it works pretty good. You need a big enough compressor for it or you will stand there and wait for a small one to catch up, BTDT.
 


specific Rustoleum primer product that is good for “less than optimal surfaces”. Is what I was referring to by "Rustoleum rusty metal primer"
 
(quoted from post at 12:17:21 03/04/18) The best primer I have found is Rustoleum red oxide oil based primer. I have test painted some things thinned down a lot, it can be left out in the weather and you can see where it was too thin it would start to rust. Even the other parts of the piece that had just a tad more were protected and wouldnt rust after exposure of 3 weeks. It was a very thin test mixture. I think the oxide in the paint makes it think its rusty already. I paint close to full strength then paint with the Ford oil based paints. I dont care for a hard paint as its a real pain to remove. I use a needle scaler to remove old paint and it works pretty good. You need a big enough compressor for it or you will stand there and wait for a small one to catch up, BTDT.


I’ve got the Fuji spray system mid size so I should be ok from a spray stand point. May need to reduce slightly. But should be ok. Thanks for the advice folks - much appreciated!!
 

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