Visible gas pump-Clear coating brass and a primer question

Evan Mellott from Iowa · Apr 21, 2013

I'm restoring a visible gas pump. The are several brass parts I want to put a clear coat on so they don't tarnish. I also want to clear coat the aluminum gallon markers. Is the can of clear coat in the picture alright for this? It says it can be applied to bare metal.
My primer question has to deal with the sheet metal. After I apply a few coats of self-etching primer (lightly sanding between coats), how long should I wait before I apply the coats of white paint?
I believe the instructions suggest that there be a primer coat applied between the etching coat and the final coat, but I was told that I could skip that coat, thus saving money and time.

CNKS · Apr 21, 2013

As to the sheet metal: Sand the sheet metal to remove all the old paint and rust if any, then use epoxy primer, not etch, you don't sand it, can be topcoated in about 30 minutes. Etch primer is made for new sheet metal, saves body shops the time it takes for sanding. Your old metal requires sanding anyway. If the sheet metal is dented you need to use body filler, then epoxy, then a sandable surfacer, then topcoat. As far as I'm concerned there is no place for etch for what you are doing.

Stephen Newell · Apr 22, 2013

The variprime primer will work well for the aluminum. You should wash the aluminum down with lacquer thinner prior to painting though. Aluminum secretes an oil. It's what turns your hands black handling an aluminum ladder a lot. The Crystal Clear Enamel won't hold up very long on brass. It would be better to use a product especially formulated for brass such as Nickolas #8321 Exterior Lacquer. http://www.finish1.com/page_products_8321.htm

Evan Mellott from Iowa · Apr 22, 2013

I was told Etching primer is supposed to be used on bare metal, and that's what the sheet metal is right now.

Evan Mellott from Iowa · Apr 22, 2013

I want to clear-coat everything in the first picture with the aerosol can of clearcoat, including the aluminum numbers.

RandyB(MI) · Apr 22, 2013

What he meant was etching primer is only needed on smooth , right out of the stamp or roller type steel that is so smooth that primer won't adhere properly unless sanded or acid etch primer is used. Your bare steel is or will be allready sanded or sand blasted to provide the bite for epoxy primer. If you have allready bought etch then use it. Just wasn't needed. As long as this isn't going to be outside in all the sun n rain and extreme temps then I really don't thing you will have a problem with the economy clear cote. Are there better products for this use? Yes there are . How much do you want to spend and will you ever see the net gain in durability? What's the intended use? Only you can answer that.

Evan Mellott from Iowa · Apr 22, 2013

Thanks, that pretty much answered my questions.

Stephen Newell · Apr 23, 2013

The brass-lac will work on aluminum too. Because of the nature of the metal the finish won't be as durable as it is on brass. I normally just buff aluminum and don't clear coat it. Aluminum will normally shine up like chrome.

Visible gas pump-Clear coating brass and a primer question

Evan Mellott from Iowa

Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

Evan Mellott from Iowa

Member

Evan Mellott from Iowa

Member

RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member

Evan Mellott from Iowa

Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

Similar threads