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MG MGB Technical - red oxide paint

Is red oxide paint hygroscopic? In other words will it absorb water or will it protect a primer coat from the rain?

Ta!
Iwan Jones

Iwan,
Red oxide is only used for cheapness.It has no inhibitive properties and because of its colour may mask rust staining
regards
Bob
R Etches

All primers, red oxide or other color do not seal the surface. You must use a primer/sealer, a sealer coat over the primer, or use an epoxy primer.
John H

For rust inhibition you should use any of the sacrificial anode type paints. Lead oxide zinc chromate is a good one.
Peter

Here's a tip from the hot rod guys who like the 'suede' look. Add a little regular paint of the same base as the primer (about 2 parts primer to one part paint) in a similar color. It will retain the primer look, still be fairly easy to sand and finish and it seals the surface very well to moisture. If you have to have primered areas on your car for any length of time before final color coats it's inexpensive insurance against moisture penetration and surface rust under the primered areas.
Bill Young

In the areas that need it, I am using a rust inhibitor/convertor. Otherwise zinc etch primer.

So Bill, what kind of paint could I mix with red oxide solvent based paint.

Ta
Iwan Jones

Iwan, I'm not familiar with the 'red oxide' paint. Mostly with automotive primer/surfacer paints. These usually come in black or charcoal, grey, and a redish hue which might be what you are refering to. Most are laquer based paints, so the addition of some complimentary color laquer paint such as black for the darkest, grey, or a redish orange for the red primer would work. I've also seen other colors mixed to get a special hue for the primer, white with the red primer gives a nice pink if that suits your needs. Primer color us usually selected based on the final color of the car. I used the red primer for my red midget, and will use the charcoal or grey for my MGA. It not only gives better coverage for the top coats, but also isn't as noticable in the event of damage.
Bill Young

Most primers of the cheaper variety contain talc which absorbs water readily. It would be better to leave the surface un-primered than to leave primer on if the part will not be painted soon. I didn't make this up - I read it in a restoration magazine.
Mike MaGee

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2005 and 07/12/2005

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