Hi, Ric! I'll give you my experience, but I'm not sure how applicable it
will be for you. I stripped my '73 down to the bodyshell also (I made
dollies for the front and back so I could roll 'er in and out of the
garage). My car also had very little serious rust, but I worked on one
section at a time, and it took almost 3 years to finish the job. Where
there was rust, I stripped the surface to bare metal and removed the rust
with sandpaper, wire brushing, and metal prep solution. To prevent rust
from forming after I had moved on to another panel, I sprayed Plastikote
sandable gray primer (3 coats) on the surface just treated. This worked
for me, since I never had to go back and re-treat for rust in the same spot
twice. I used a PPG lacquer system, consisting of two red-oxide primer
coats, a sealer coat, four coats of color, and six coats of clear. I
painted it on my driveway, using a regular (non-HVLP) gun. I had never
painted a car before, but it turned out, in my opinion, better than I could
have got with a professional job. The post-painting polishing made it look
like glass. There have been no incompatibility problems yet between the
Plastikote and the PPG system.
BTW, when I disassembled my car, I made a detailed step-by-step procedure
as I removed each part. "Re-assembly is a direct reversal of disassembly"
worked just great for me in this case. I have those procedures written
down, if you think they might help you re-assemble your car. Just let me
know.
Steve Byers
Havelock, NC USA
'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool
than to speak, and remove all doubt" -- Mark Twain
----------
> From: Richard L. Bergstrom <ric_bergstrom@juno.com>
> To: spridgets@autox.team.net; mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Primer for repainting?
> Date: Sunday, January 18, 1998 8:01 PM
>
> Hello all!
>
> I am about to start the refinishing of my 74 Midget shell.
>
> It is basically rust free (surprise!) with some surface rust, but no
> perforations in floors, rockers, sills, or spring boxes. It is TOTALLY
> stripped of hardware...I mean there is nothing left to unbolt right now.
> I am very glad I have one in assembled condition as I didn't take this
> one apart...what a puzzle.
>
> What I need is suggestions for a good aerosol primer that I can put over
> prepped cleaned areas that will provide protection until I can put a top
> coat on and not react with that topcoat.
>
> I have heard a self etching primer called "Marhide" was used on some of
> the areas the PO had already wire brushed, prepped and primed. (I am
> going to redo that work since it is a relaltively small area)
>
> I'd like to do the final coat myself as well. I have a compressor,
> access to decent spray equipment and an HVLP system for the final
> work...but not for the months that I'll slowly be working on the car.
> That is why I need a recommendation for a high quality aerosol primer
> that will hold me over until I can do the final prime/sand/ repeat until
> smooth and then shoot color.
>
> Any recommendations on paint as well?
>
>
>
> Ric Bergstrom
> Richmond, VA
> 1973 Midget 1275 '88 240 Volvo '92 F150
> 1974 Midget 1275 (currently in many little boxes)
> Central Virginia MG Classics
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