Morris Minor Owners Club

should i red oxide my van before applying primer ?

No

why not ?

Because it's not a good idea........

If you've stripped to bare metal then an etch primer is the best paint to use as the first primer layer before the sanding filler primers.

bmcecosse wrote:Because it's not a good idea........

your funny ha ha

ha ha your funny

Well BMCs comment may seem funny but hes right.Its pointless.Bare metal needs etch primer.Red oxides old hat.

Red oxide is never a suitable undercoating for a fine finish. But actually - I've never been able to understand why 'Red Oxide' = RUST should be considered a suitable rust proofing finish? Can anyone enlighten me? And then of course - 'Red Lead' (which was always orange colour to me) - why was it considered an anti rust treatment? Doesn't seem too popular these days anyway.......

Just to throw it into the mix When we did up my jeep, we used only red oxide and 'top coat' sort of thing. The paint rubs off in certain places (mostly where you drag your bum to get in), the only place we used etch primer was on the grill, but that never really gets contacted much..

I Think there is an idea that the Forth bridge is painted with red oxide ,therefore it must be the best for rust proofing

but if it's that good why paint it so often?

I know that times are a changing

Uh uh - Forth Bridge was always painted with 'special' paint - special red/brown colour - but not 'red oxide' paint. They now think they have a paint that will last a v long time - we shall see. It's certainly the first time in many many years we can see the bridge without any scaffolding/paint splash protection........
http://www.forthbridges.org.uk/railbridgemain.htm