To drive in primer or not

[MARLEYMAC]

I'm new to this site, but man the info on here is priceless. I have a 65 fleetside that I have been working on for a long time, 7 years to be exact. Along the way comes babies, honey-do's and all other more pressing issues to stall the build that I want to work on. I am a first timer at building a streetrod and decided to do it frame up (what the hell was I thinking). I have reached a point where all framework and mechanical mods are done and now I would like to assemble so I can drive it, work out any mechanical issues, and enjoy it on the road. I want to here it!! What would be the best option as far as paint on the body and still be able to drive it and do bodywork at the same time. Any help is much appreciated as I am no body or paint person. Again the people on this site offer great information and I will definitely be on here as much as I can.

Thanks again

A few Pictures of the Truck

[MARLEYMAC]

Pictures of all mechanical installed one last time before I started removing rusted thru floorboards, rotten doors and so forth. All frame mods were done prior to this moch-up. All of these parts are ready to go back in.

thanks again for any input.

[64fleetside]

I wasn't gonna drive mine until it was done, but this spring I got it driveable & driving it in primer-bed/cab is painted, doors/front cap in primer. I tell folks it just might BE done...

[62 Longbed]

Welcome to the Forum !!!! Truck looks great !!!! Since your so close , I would throw it in primer and drive .... But then its almost winter , SNOW ???? ... and what is the chance of finishing before summer comes around again ... Confused ... But I know your feelings about just wanting to get out and enjoy .. Good Luck with your decision !!! I know I wasn't much Help ...

[lil hoodlum]

Is it currently in the primer stage or the blue paint stage?

Keith

[MARLEYMAC]

It is currently in the black and primer stage. The bed is still blue and has not been touched.

[Turkey]

drive the crap out of it and paint it when you can

[Pop's C-10]

Bolt it together as is & de-kink it...i wouldn't worry about putting primer on tha black parts unless you jus wanna have a uniform color..

[brokenspoke]

I would paint.....primer will not seal the metal.....and rust will form....I guess the question is how long between the primer and paint stage....my 2 cents

[64shortbox]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

I would paint.....primer will not seal the metal.....and rust will form....I guess the question is how long between the primer and paint stage....my 2 cents

X2
primer is designed to absorb paint, by nature it also absorbs moisture. water, humidity etc. if left in just primer and exposed to the elements for any length of time it will rust and there goes all the time spent on your body work.

[samuellg1977]

Paint first and then enjoy it even more - without knowing that later, you'll have to RE-DO all of the work you just did. Mine has been in primer for YEARS, and you can tell when you knock the primer off, the rust just explodes in a cloud. Get it right, then ride like a champ!! Sweet looking wheel/tire combo too!! Specs? Thanks.

Sam

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

X2
primer is designed to absorb paint, by nature it also absorbs moisture. water, humidity etc. if left in just primer and exposed to the elements for any length of time it will rust and there goes all the time spent on your body work.

yep yep yep. roll in primer if you want to spend twice as much prep when you want to paint.

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by MARLEYMAC

It is currently in the black and primer stage. The bed is still blue and has not been touched.

Only reason I asked becuase I had an aftermarket tailgate with that black e-coat primer on it and within a month or so it started forming surface rust. I had it on my daily driver. The surface rust was really just beginning so it came off super easy when sanding. I have had my truck in primer and drove it like that for about a year before I started painting it. My truck is never garaged by the way. I went ahead and sanded it back down to metal and then re-primed when I was ready to paint. Surprisingly the primer held up real well and I don't recall there being any rust underneath.

Of course where you live might play an important factor. I live in North Texas and it usually pretty hot and not a whole lot of humidity like the states along the Gulf Coast (Gulf of Mexico)

So just my opinion you probably will be ok driving around for awhile in just the primer stage. You could also use primer sealer and I believe that should help the primer hold up better.

Nice truck by the way. I like the blue color. What color are you thinking about using?

Good luck!

Keith

[jonathan-m]

mines been in the primer stage for almost 5 years now ha

[Iron-Butt]

I would paint it with all that work. If the money is tight now just put it together and drive it. I drove mine for about three years all different colors.

[64fleetside]

Good epoxy is pretty darn bulletproof-my buddy epoxy primers a bunch of rods as a finished product. I've got an epoxy'd spare fender that's been hanging on the shed wall outside for 5 yrs or more now, still fine. The old lacquer primers soaked up moisture better than a sponge, and rust formed underneath.