Different color primers at the factory? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Trent_McAllister · 03-15-2008, 01:59 PM

Just for my information, why is the cab primered or treated red and the bed and front clip black under the original factory coat of paint? It seems kind of odd but I'm sure there is a production reason.

**special-K** · 03-15-2008, 02:53 PM

Good question.

MrGoodpliers · 03-15-2008, 05:15 PM

Yea, my grapefruit suburban has black primer, I'll use buff or gray when I repaint which should brighten it up nicely or at least drasticly reduce the number of coats. Also, a buddy of mine has a theory about 1969 trucks: He thinks they changed primers in 69 because they seem to have much more rust, especially in the doors and on the firewall.

SteelMohawk · 03-15-2008, 05:55 PM

My truck was either primered in Yellow, or the PO(who really half-a$$ed everything) painted over the Yellow and painted it the factory option dark green.

dan42 · 03-15-2008, 07:03 PM

My '67 has red primer. (It's coming through all over the truck!)

EAST SIDE LOW LIFE · 03-16-2008, 03:37 AM

Could be for warrenty reasons. I know with pre 62 Vettes the body was a yellowish color. Over the counter G.M. replacement body panels were grey. Not sure if the same reason holds true for our trucks.

esll.

heavy71chevy · 03-15-2008, 10:28 PM

Im pretty sure mine was red..kinda unsure tho because it was resprayed at one time and when i got it it was partially rattle canned gray primer by chris the PO...might have something to do with lack of material at the plant or a shortage..or mabey even the final color choice

Trent_McAllister · 03-16-2008, 12:17 AM

The truck is my 68 c-20. Final assembly was in Baltimore, MD. (The only thing good that EVER came out of that town.) The color was originally pastel yellow with white cab top and white front and bumpers. Maybe that helps. You can see it slightly in the picture and I am sorry this is the best example I have since I already took the DA sander to it now.

It strikes me as odd because I was told never to pimer with different colors or primers or you might end up with a different shade on your final coat if you don't use a primer sealer. The original yellow is very light, seems like you would have to be careful with different colors.

factorystock · 03-16-2008, 03:21 AM

You are correct, different color primers. I have seen cabs in red-brown primer while fenders hoods and tailgates in black primer.

03-15-2008, 01:59 PM	#1
Trent_McAllister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elizabethtown, KY, USA Posts: 136	Different color primers at the factory? Just for my information, why is the cab primered or treated red and the bed and front clip black under the original factory coat of paint? It seems kind of odd but I'm sure there is a production reason. __________________ My Truck: 1968 C-20 Custom Camper

03-15-2008, 02:53 PM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Different color primers at the factory? Good question. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-15-2008, 05:15 PM	#3
MrGoodpliers Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gainesville, Georgia Posts: 704	Re: Different color primers at the factory? Yea, my grapefruit suburban has black primer, I'll use buff or gray when I repaint which should brighten it up nicely or at least drasticly reduce the number of coats. Also, a buddy of mine has a theory about 1969 trucks: He thinks they changed primers in 69 because they seem to have much more rust, especially in the doors and on the firewall. __________________ We made Oklahoma a little after 3, Randy & his brother Bob & my old GMC...

03-15-2008, 05:55 PM	#4
SteelMohawk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 44	Re: Different color primers at the factory? My truck was either primered in Yellow, or the PO(who really half-a$$ed everything) painted over the Yellow and painted it the factory option dark green.

03-15-2008, 07:03 PM	#5
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Different color primers at the factory? My '67 has red primer. (It's coming through all over the truck!) __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

03-16-2008, 03:37 AM	#6
EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,602	Re: Different color primers at the factory? Could be for warrenty reasons. I know with pre 62 Vettes the body was a yellowish color. Over the counter G.M. replacement body panels were grey. Not sure if the same reason holds true for our trucks. esll. __________________ Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member) Last edited by EAST SIDE LOW LIFE; 03-16-2008 at 03:41 AM.

03-15-2008, 10:28 PM	#7
heavy71chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: antreville, south carolina Posts: 873	Re: Different color primers at the factory? Im pretty sure mine was red..kinda unsure tho because it was resprayed at one time and when i got it it was partially rattle canned gray primer by chris the PO...might have something to do with lack of material at the plant or a shortage..or mabey even the final color choice __________________ "Dixie Destroyer" 71 C10 LWB Fleet Future Blown Prostreet Monster

03-16-2008, 12:17 AM	#8
Trent_McAllister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elizabethtown, KY, USA Posts: 136	Re: Different color primers at the factory? The truck is my 68 c-20. Final assembly was in Baltimore, MD. (The only thing good that EVER came out of that town.) The color was originally pastel yellow with white cab top and white front and bumpers. Maybe that helps. You can see it slightly in the picture and I am sorry this is the best example I have since I already took the DA sander to it now. It strikes me as odd because I was told never to pimer with different colors or primers or you might end up with a different shade on your final coat if you don't use a primer sealer. The original yellow is very light, seems like you would have to be careful with different colors. Attached Images __________________ My Truck: 1968 C-20 Custom Camper

03-16-2008, 03:21 AM	#9
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,381	Re: Different color primers at the factory? You are correct, different color primers. I have seen cabs in red-brown primer while fenders hoods and tailgates in black primer.



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