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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Primer color?

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Primer color?     Steve S 03-15-2010 @ 12:46 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 54 Joined: Feb 2010 What was the original primer color on a '39? Would any areas, such as under hood hinges or behind interior door panels be left in primer? supereal 03-15-2010 @ 2:14 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 You may be able to see evidence of primer in the trunk if you remove the cardboard partition. Most of what I've seen is the red oxide color. Whatever it is, you can be sure it is obsolete. Today's paint technology is light years ahead of the original materials, and when painting, it is essential that the primer and subsequent coats be compatible. That means made by of for the topcoat brand. Steve S 03-15-2010 @ 2:31 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 54 Joined: Feb 2010 Thanks for that. I'm trying to figure out the original color for my '39 pickup. I've found Gray under the hood hinges, door panels and door jam seals. I figured that would be the original color, but the majority of the truck is green. Ok, respray, but... if someone resprayed it green then they did a really professional job, including painting the hubs. I've found no trace of gray anywhere except the three spots mentioned above. I guess if the primer was red-ish then the gray I'm seeing must be the original color. See here for some photos where I've been buffing off black spray paint to reveal the green underneath, and for the gray on the doors... http://www.vintagemotoring.net/forum/download/file.php?id=1033 http://www.vintagemotoring.net/forum/download/file.php?id=1034 http://www.vintagemotoring.net/forum/download/file.php?id=1035 This message was edited by Steve S on 3-15-10 @ 2:32 PM 37RAGTOPMAN 03-15-2010 @ 2:31 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 HI I think the rule of thumb is a dark color, a dark primer,Lile a dark reds use the red primer, light color light color primer, dark blues use a dark gray primer, you should be able to ask your paint store for info, also buying a paint book to learn a little might be the way to go, and you can also shade the primer,by mixing, just like you would painting a house, but everything you use should be the same company,and like SUPERREAL SAYS, be compatible,or you will end doing it over, my 3 cents worth, 37RGTOPMAN Steve S 03-15-2010 @ 2:35 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 54 Joined: Feb 2010 Thanks, I guess I should add that the gray under the hood hinge bracket is glossy and smooth, not what I would expect primer to look like. The gray on the door is a bit rough in some places and silky smooth in others. The red on the door in the photo above is surface rust, not another color or primer. 37RAGTOPMAN 03-15-2010 @ 3:20 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 HI I think the rule of thumb is a dark color, a dark primer,Lile a dark reds use the red primer, light color light color primer, dark blues use a dark gray primer, you should be able to ask your paint store for info, also buying a paint book to learn a little might be the way to go, and you can also shade the primer,by mixing, just like you would painting a house, but everything you use should be the same BRAND and same material made for one another,and like SUPERREAL SAYS, be compatible,or you will end doing it over, my 3 cents worth, 37RGTOPMAN 42wagon 03-15-2010 @ 3:40 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 Steve The primer on my 42 wagon was red oxide and was found in the cowl area under the dashboard. This car was originally painted Fathom Blue. What color did you find in the engine compartment? This is usually a clue as repainters did not waste their time working around the engine. Also keep in mind that Ford used a phosphate dipping process for parts such as fenders on the Model As and may have continued it for the V8s. This left them with a black coating that I think the finish paint was applied over without primer. The doors were probably installed before the finish painting. According to the 41-48 Ford book hood hinge installation was left up to the assembly plant. Some hood hinges were painted body color and some were painted black. Happy hunting. Ted jerry.grayson 03-15-2010 @ 4:00 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 128 Joined: Oct 2009 I think that the original primer in 39 and other years was red oxide. After looking at your photo's I would bet without a doubt that your original color was gray. Gray was one of the standard colors for your truck. jerry.grayson 03-15-2010 @ 4:05 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 128 Joined: Oct 2009 By the way, you mentioned that your hubs were green and this tells me tnat the green is a repaint. The brake hubs originally black. Steve S 03-15-2010 @ 4:34 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 54 Joined: Feb 2010 Great info all. thanks so much! Jerry, hub color was one thing I was wondering about, and your comment pretty much confirms the green was a repaint. Ted, the engine bay is black but I haven't tried to sand through it anywhere so I don't know if there is anything underneath. There does appear to be some green on the inside of the engine bay side panels but I have not yet determined if that's overspray or if it's another color peeking through the black. I guess I now know what my next project is!

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