Birdcage primer

[Rex T.]

Is the yellow/green primer used on mid year birdcages comercially available today? Even though I work for Sherwin Williams, our etching primer is a little too green.

Thanks,
Rex

[Steve Wallach]

Re: Birdcage primer

You can get the "Green Chromate" primer from most of the Corvette Parts suppliers.

Cheers,

Steve

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Birdcage primer

Rex,

The greenish primer is available in rattle cans from all the repro-parts vendors, Corvette Central, Paragon etc. They are all a little too green as well.

If you can get a good quality etching primer in a greenish color from Sherman Williams that can be sprayed with a gun, use it. Then tell us the part number. The rattle can paint is too thick, the stuff GM used was very thin. Most of the original GM zinc chromate paint I've seen is haphazard at best, full of runs and drips. They were not applying a finish coat, this is rust prevention. Runs and drips were a good thing.

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Birdcage primer

Picture of rattle can green paint;

[Rex T.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Mark & Steve,

Thanks for your prompt responses. Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes, where I have worked for the past 30 years, still makes a nice etching primer that when properly reduced, is as thin as water. It should be sprayed at 45 to 50 psi, with one light coat applied, followed with a medium wet coat. Hiding is not achievable, but the adhesions and corrosion protection to bare metal is great. The part number is E2G973 for the primer and R7K244 for the etching reducer. Reduce at 150% and you're ready to spray. However, do not leave reduced primer in an aluminum cup gun as it will react with the aluminum in a closed environment. Thanks, Rex

[Dennis D.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Try this site

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/zinc.php

[Wayne W.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Spray can by the brand name of TEMPO. Zinc-Chromate

[Frank C.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Rex....the zinc chromate I have is from Dupont and in my opinion very close to the right color. if you would like the Dupont # I'll get it for you tommorow. Regards Frank

[Warren L.]

I tinted

an epoxy primer to match what was on the car by adding yellow.

Warren (using a cup gun)

[Terry F.]

Re: Birdcage primer

I have also heard you can buy it at Mercury boat engine dealers. It is used on aluminum housings. Terry

[Dave K.]

Re: Birdcage primer

I used zinc phospahte insead of chromate. It is more environmentally friendly, good corrosion inhibitor and the right green/yellow color.

Dave K.

[Jim T.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Dupont 215S Acrylic Primer

[Terry F.]

Re: Birdcage primer

What is a wet coat? Does it mean you thin the paint down as far as you can without running it? Or, does it mean spraying a heavy last coat? Just wondering? Terry

[Charles M.]

Re: Birdcage primer

Here is what my original cage green paint looked like.

http://www.pbase.com/valrico4/a_i_r_on_hinge_pillars

Chuck