Weld through Primer is made of Zinc - Wouldn't this be dangerous to weld?

[Yamariv]

Hey guys, I'm about to start rust repair on my cab this winter and picked up some weld through primer. I read the can it says it's a Zinc weld through primer.

Now I know welding galvanized steel is very dangerous because of the Zinc fumes and you have to grind it off. Wouldn't this Zinc weld through primer be dangerous then?

What do you guys do?

[Sheepdip]

Put on a respirator like a car painter uses, not a dusk mask, and have a fan blowing the fumes away from you.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

It turns into Zinc Oxide(white smoke) and it's definitely not something you want to inhale.

Technically, it's an irritant, which means you'd recover and not have long term problems if you did up, but you could be REALLY MISERABLE for a few days, so don't go there.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0675.html

Respirators don't work great with facial hair, btw.

[best view]

Shave

[HO455]

Whether it's weld through primer, factory paint, or epoxy primer you need to protect yourself from the fumes if your welding near painted metal.

[Yamariv]

Interesting, thanks gents! So a vapor style respirator and fan, check!

I wonder how many people know the primer is made with Zinc. I've watched tones of videos of rust repair and no one seems to mention it at all.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

You'll see that perfectly white smoke if it's making Zinc Oxide, but tbh, there's nothing in burning primer I'd want to inhale anyway.

Fume extractor would be ideal, particularly if you're working indoors, but borrowing one might not be possible.

[Steeveedee]

I know of a guy who inhaled enough fumes to kill him, but he had burned the zinc off of a whole lot of galvanized pipe without protection.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I know of a guy who inhaled enough fumes to kill him, but he had burned the zinc off of a whole lot of galvanized pipe without protection.

Jheebus, that's commitment