Since the beginning of my project I've tried different primers - standard grey, "rust inhibiting" grey & red oxide. Personally, I don't reckon much to grey (standard or rustproof) as no matter how much I try to prepare the metal, evidence of rust always seems to make it's way back through very quickly and I've found red oxide to be far the best.

Apart from colour, what makes red oxide different from grey and what does everyone else use?

I've no idea, but I bought a big tin of red oxide today to do my car with, it's not the same as what I'm used to at work though, it takes bastard ages to dry. The stuff we use at work is more like poster paint and dries instantly.

I find red oxide primer too soft really, and and it scratches off easily. I have used it though, on plenty of things under smooth Hammerite but only on stuff that wasn't on show. I'd prefer to use epoxy 123 for toughness http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic.cfm


For home use, or to prime bits that I want to have a decent finish I use Upol acid etch, followed by the same companies high build grey. Flatted back with a red scotchbrite pad when properly dry it gives a good base for subsequent top coats.

I've been using some made by "Johnsons" which is dead thick & dries in a few minutes

Thick paint has a tendency to peel or scrape off in lumps bertie, you need to apply it as thin as possible and allow it to harden well. When it's applied thick it's easy to knock it off, especially on edges.

I know it sounds unlikely but I've found it flows quite nicely though & adheres better than anything else so far. I've used it on my doors & floors so I suppose if it's not up to the job, I'll find out there soon enough!!

originally it was red lead which was severely toxic dont know what it is now

grey tends to be zinc oxide and the dark grey is zinc phosphate

zinc phosphate as its what i got from the tractor shop

Sean

It's really hard, if not impossible to get red lead now, Sean. Another fabulous product banned because it worked too well...

ive used red oxide before,

you can put it through a spray gun if doing large areas but you have to thin it a tad

i have a big tin of it and ive always found it to be amazing!

and russell your post answered my question on your red spesh post!!

I think there might have been a few other reasons why it was banned. I'm not sure that "effectiveness" is actually illegal.