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"Green" Primer Paint
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
"Green" Primer Paint
So who makes a really good color match paint to replicate the Vette primer used around the dash and kick panel areas? I think this is a zinc chromate? Is that right? Anyhow I bought some from a source that has a great reputation in the industry for restoration products and I have always been happy with their Rust Encapsulator and Chassis Black, etc. However, I have to say I was disappointed in their Vette primer. Here is a pic that shows some of the original primer near the bottom as a contrast to the product that I started to shoot on to freshen it up before I put the interior back in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Yep, looks like Zinc Chromate to me too - is the painted part aluminum?
It's pretty much been replaced by a Boeing paint these days...
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...mateprimer.php
Be careful with that stuff - it's nasty.
It's pretty much been replaced by a Boeing paint these days...
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...mateprimer.php
Be careful with that stuff - it's nasty.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 5
From: Valrico Florida
Yep, looks like Zinc Chromate to me too - is the painted part aluminum?
It's pretty much been replaced by a Boeing paint these days...
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...mateprimer.php
Be careful with that stuff - it's nasty.
It's pretty much been replaced by a Boeing paint these days...
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...mateprimer.php
Be careful with that stuff - it's nasty.
Breathing protection is necessary.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
That aircraft spruce green zinc chromate is VERY close if not spot on. I had some that I used to prime the inside of a tail on a Zodiac home built I was building, and it's really close. After 40 years, it'll be hard to match it exactly, but that's the closest I've seen that's readily available.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/selfEtchingPrimer/
This would be a way better pick if the color matches; as noted actual Zinc Chromate is stuff you want to avoid if you can.
. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
It's this type of material safety attitude that gets people hurt.
Breathing protection, gloves, etc. and proper disposal with ZC is mandatory.
Last edited by billla; Sep 8, 2010 at 02:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
I ordered a can today. Will try it out. Thanks to all for the tips. I think the green paint most commonly used for this primer in the current market is probably zinc 'phosphate' rather than zinc 'chromate'. The phosphate is probably more eco and human friendly. Not a chemist, just guessing, but I DID sleep in a Holiday Inn one time, so there ya go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Good call - I hope the color is "close enough". ZP is definitely more friendly in every way - chromates are what's nasty 
I work a bunch with anodizing and ZC in aircraft restoration. Wherever possible we use Boeing's primer and then a paint that matches the color of ZC - the guys that I work with have been around a long time and they've seen the danger of ZC
I work a bunch with anodizing and ZC in aircraft restoration. Wherever possible we use Boeing's primer and then a paint that matches the color of ZC - the guys that I work with have been around a long time and they've seen the danger of ZC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Good call - I hope the color is "close enough". ZP is definitely more friendly in every way - chromates are what's nasty
I work a bunch with anodizing and ZC in aircraft restoration. Wherever possible we use Boeing's primer and then a paint that matches the color of ZC - the guys that I work with have been around a long time and they've seen the danger of ZC
I work a bunch with anodizing and ZC in aircraft restoration. Wherever possible we use Boeing's primer and then a paint that matches the color of ZC - the guys that I work with have been around a long time and they've seen the danger of ZC
In a previous life (back in the late 60's early 70's) I worked in the railcar industry and it was common to use red lead primers on all that stuff. It was an awesome primer and actually staid semi soft or "live" for years in that it would almost heal back over small scratches and dings. However, that was also very nasty stuff from a health and environment standpoint and has been outlawed for years now. They also used a lot of cadmium plating back in those days. Which may be still around but if it is it is heavily regulated.
