Black or Grey primer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

boataddict26 · 08-09-2003, 02:27 PM

I am going to start sanding my truck within the next couple of days and cant decide which color of primer to go with. Keep in mind I am going to have to drive around with it in primer for awhile untill I get up the money for paint.

lofat · 08-09-2003, 02:44 PM

voted

Kenneth · 08-09-2003, 03:13 PM

some thoughts on primers:
I've been warned about driving cars around with just a primer coat. Primer is designed to create a nice adhesive surface for the paint and it doesn't seal the metal from the outdoor elements. So you can still get a nice bit of rust with your primer on there. Just make sure your time between primer and paint isn't year. Also you could just use some Crylon spray paint over the primer to ensure good protection before your paint job.
I'm partial to grey primer.

boataddict26 · 08-09-2003, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the advice Kenneth. I thought the primer would seal out the elements. If I primer, and rattle-can I should be ok?
Michael

Kenneth · 08-09-2003, 05:43 PM

I'm no professional, but last year I called a body shop about getting an el camino sanded down and primed (I don't have a garage to do the job), and I told them I wanted to hold off on the paint, so they suggested I do the rattle can thing for the reason I mentioned.
We might need some more imput on this one. But I'd say you'd be alright after the rattle can and if you use black and army green you can get a nice camoflage effect.

87 STEPPER · 08-10-2003, 04:33 PM

A few other thing's to consider is the final color coat if you are gonna go with a light color go with a light primer or grey if your gonna go with a dark color go with the black primer.

Also being in florida black isn't a good choice as you may know.

gchemist · 08-10-2003, 07:35 PM

I like gray.

The primer you use is important. Use some really good stuff and you won't have to sand back down to metal to repaint. The bodyshop used some Dupont on mine. The stuff is so good a local 55-57 restorer would not touch it until I have him the name and product used. The primer is good so only the minor scratches and road damage need to sanded back down before painting.

Hard_Core_Hick · 08-10-2003, 08:27 PM

Personally i would go with Tremclade Flat black and if you look at it this way it wont rust

tazman · 08-12-2003, 12:01 AM

as said before it depends on what color you are going for after- here we go-- if you are going for a dark color and want depth use black-- if you are useing a dark color and want a touch lighter as in blue with a gold under tone use grey--- if you are going for a lite color use grey and of course the exception to the rule if you are going for red then red primer. one thing you have to remember is if you rattle can it, to get a real good shot when you do the real paint-- the rattle can paint will have to go--which means more prep work on final paint there is a primer sealer on the market but it only comes in a med grey but it does work on it's own with out to much affecting it as in dirt, grease and other afflictions of normal life

CT-Truckster · 08-12-2003, 12:33 AM

i say gray, the black gets really nasty looking after just a short while, plus the gray will be a little cooler.

bigd65 · 08-13-2003, 03:21 PM

use the oposite of the color skeem, that way when you paint it you can tell thin spots

boataddict26 · 08-13-2003, 03:21 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I am painting the truck silver wich is a lite color so I am going to go with the grey primer. I wont use rattle can either. I was planing on it but the extra prep work didnt dawn on me until tazman mentiond it. What is a good primer to use and where can I get it?
Thanks Again,
Michael

boataddict26 · 08-13-2003, 03:24 PM

BigD65 just brought up another good point!! It seems like it would be MUCH easier to paint silver if the primer was black. You could easily tell where you have already painted. Any comments on this?

**Desert Rat** · 08-13-2003, 06:42 PM

Id use black.If you use a epoxy primer/sealer then you dont have to worry about the weather/moisture being absorbed.I personally wouldnt rattle can it.Typically looks like crap.go for black Unless you live in AZ like i do!

boataddict26 · 08-13-2003, 07:53 PM

I live in Florida. It gets pretty hot here too. If heat is what you are talking about.

Grey 87 · 08-13-2003, 11:40 PM

Grey would be the primer to use if your going with silver, but if you are doing your own body work its easier to see if your work is straight if you use black.

boataddict26 · 08-13-2003, 11:49 PM

Thanks Grey. I have made up my mind (again) I am going to go with grey primer. Thanks for all the input.

CT-Truckster · 08-15-2003, 01:59 AM

what if you used black primer while you were doing your bodywork, might be easier to see how straight your gettin it like grey 87 said. then when you got ready to paint you could primer it gray, would there be anything wrong with doing that?

Tx Firefighter · 08-15-2003, 08:30 AM

I could never settle for a primer color myself. I need different.

Also, if you don't use epoxy primer, or paint, it will rust, that's for sure.

My wife and I were at a car show in 2001, when this guy walks up and starts asking me how I did my car. I explained it to him, and he took a picture and left. That picture was in Rod & Custom magazine. He was their photographer.

Suede paint rules, and it never deteoritates like primer. Yes, it's the same color as my truck, it's just flat. Give it a try, you'll love it!

View Poll Results: Black or Grey primer?
Black Primer..	18	56.25%
Grey Primer..	14	43.75%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

08-09-2003, 02:27 PM	#1
boataddict26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 726	Black or Grey primer? I am going to start sanding my truck within the next couple of days and cant decide which color of primer to go with. Keep in mind I am going to have to drive around with it in primer for awhile untill I get up the money for paint. __________________ 1978 Chevy C10 Currently under resto. 350 Getting face lift. .060, JEpistons, Modify heads. More will come with money. Last edited by boataddict26; 08-09-2003 at 02:30 PM.

08-09-2003, 02:44 PM	#2
lofat Rollin' Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hayward, California Posts: 240	voted __________________ :: 1977 C10 cheyenne :: :: 1973 new yorker brougham :: for sale - $1,500 lofat productions

08-09-2003, 04:46 PM	#4
boataddict26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 726	Thanks for the advice Kenneth. I thought the primer would seal out the elements. If I primer, and rattle-can I should be ok? Michael __________________ 1978 Chevy C10 Currently under resto. 350 Getting face lift. .060, JEpistons, Modify heads. More will come with money.

08-10-2003, 04:33 PM	#6
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	A few other thing's to consider is the final color coat if you are gonna go with a light color go with a light primer or grey if your gonna go with a dark color go with the black primer. Also being in florida black isn't a good choice as you may know. __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

08-09-2003, 03:13 PM	#3
Kenneth Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 53	some thoughts on primers: I've been warned about driving cars around with just a primer coat. Primer is designed to create a nice adhesive surface for the paint and it doesn't seal the metal from the outdoor elements. So you can still get a nice bit of rust with your primer on there. Just make sure your time between primer and paint isn't year. Also you could just use some Crylon spray paint over the primer to ensure good protection before your paint job. I'm partial to grey primer.

08-09-2003, 05:43 PM	#5
Kenneth Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 53	I'm no professional, but last year I called a body shop about getting an el camino sanded down and primed (I don't have a garage to do the job), and I told them I wanted to hold off on the paint, so they suggested I do the rattle can thing for the reason I mentioned. We might need some more imput on this one. But I'd say you'd be alright after the rattle can and if you use black and army green you can get a nice camoflage effect.

08-10-2003, 07:35 PM	#7
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	I like gray. The primer you use is important. Use some really good stuff and you won't have to sand back down to metal to repaint. The bodyshop used some Dupont on mine. The stuff is so good a local 55-57 restorer would not touch it until I have him the name and product used. The primer is good so only the minor scratches and road damage need to sanded back down before painting. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

08-10-2003, 08:27 PM	#8
Hard_Core_Hick Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 133	Personally i would go with Tremclade Flat black and if you look at it this way it wont rust __________________ I need a 454 4 barrel and dad wont let me get one

08-12-2003, 12:01 AM	#9
tazman Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: laughlin nv Posts: 47	as said before it depends on what color you are going for after- here we go-- if you are going for a dark color and want depth use black-- if you are useing a dark color and want a touch lighter as in blue with a gold under tone use grey--- if you are going for a lite color use grey and of course the exception to the rule if you are going for red then red primer. one thing you have to remember is if you rattle can it, to get a real good shot when you do the real paint-- the rattle can paint will have to go--which means more prep work on final paint there is a primer sealer on the market but it only comes in a med grey but it does work on it's own with out to much affecting it as in dirt, grease and other afflictions of normal life __________________ tazman member of Mojave Street Rods

08-12-2003, 12:33 AM	#10
CT-Truckster ? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dyersburg, TN Posts: 471	i say gray, the black gets really nasty looking after just a short while, plus the gray will be a little cooler.

08-13-2003, 03:21 PM	#11
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Lake Jackson, TX. Posts: 1,930	use the oposite of the color skeem, that way when you paint it you can tell thin spots __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab (Dark Spiral Gray)

08-13-2003, 03:24 PM	#13
boataddict26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 726	BigD65 just brought up another good point!! It seems like it would be MUCH easier to paint silver if the primer was black. You could easily tell where you have already painted. Any comments on this? __________________ 1978 Chevy C10 Currently under resto. 350 Getting face lift. .060, JEpistons, Modify heads. More will come with money.

08-13-2003, 06:42 PM	#14
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Id use black.If you use a epoxy primer/sealer then you dont have to worry about the weather/moisture being absorbed.I personally wouldnt rattle can it.Typically looks like crap.go for black Unless you live in AZ like i do!

08-13-2003, 07:53 PM	#15
boataddict26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 726	I live in Florida. It gets pretty hot here too. If heat is what you are talking about. __________________ 1978 Chevy C10 Currently under resto. 350 Getting face lift. .060, JEpistons, Modify heads. More will come with money.



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08-13-2003, 11:40 PM	#16
Grey 87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 23	Grey would be the primer to use if your going with silver, but if you are doing your own body work its easier to see if your work is straight if you use black. __________________ 87 SWB Silverado 84 LWB Custom Deluxe

08-13-2003, 11:49 PM	#17
boataddict26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 726	Thanks Grey. I have made up my mind (again) I am going to go with grey primer. Thanks for all the input. __________________ 1978 Chevy C10 Currently under resto. 350 Getting face lift. .060, JEpistons, Modify heads. More will come with money.

08-15-2003, 01:59 AM	#18
CT-Truckster ? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dyersburg, TN Posts: 471	what if you used black primer while you were doing your bodywork, might be easier to see how straight your gettin it like grey 87 said. then when you got ready to paint you could primer it gray, would there be anything wrong with doing that?

08-15-2003, 08:30 AM	#19
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I use suede paint I could never settle for a primer color myself. I need different. Also, if you don't use epoxy primer, or paint, it will rust, that's for sure. My wife and I were at a car show in 2001, when this guy walks up and starts asking me how I did my car. I explained it to him, and he took a picture and left. That picture was in Rod & Custom magazine. He was their photographer. Suede paint rules, and it never deteoritates like primer. Yes, it's the same color as my truck, it's just flat. Give it a try, you'll love it! __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 08-15-2003 at 08:38 AM.

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