KREW2
Well-Known Member
My mild steel fuel tank has been taken out cleaned. I have wire brushed the outside and given it two coats of primocon. It looks okay as it is, so do I need to top coat it?
primocon as a finish
- Thread starter KREW2
- Start date
VicS
Well-Known Member
It is intended to be used as an underwater primer:
A quick drying, general purpose below waterline primer which has been formulated for use on metal keels and hulls prior to antifouling. It is however also suitable for use as a barrier/sealer coat between unknown or incompatible antifoulings.
pvb
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't bother putting a topcoat on.
Robin
Well-Known Member
Nor me. That way you can easily touch up too.
KREW2
Well-Known Member
Well I'm not scrapping it off, and I don't intend to submerge my tank and tow it behind me. (Insert smily thing)
I just had a bit left at the bottom of a tin so wapped a couple of coats on the tank, can't see it doing any harm, I hope. Just wondering wether it needs a topcoat to protect it.
Caer Urfa
Well-Known Member
International Primocon is what it says on the tin, a primer, so yes you should give it a top coat.
http://www.yachtpaint.com/MPYACMDatasheets/Primocon+eng+A4+Y+20100916.pdf
However it is an 'underwater primer' to antifoul, but guess it can be used on a tank as you have done, as a 'barrier coat primer' you can usually coat it with any other make of paint, But, you can not overcoat with a 2 pack paint.
However you tank would have been better painted with a red oxide or a anti corrosive paint.
Mike
Pasarell
Well-Known Member
Primocon
Primocon will work perfectly well as a primer on your tank but it would be better if finished with a topcoat. It does not have good exposure properties, especially UV. UV probably isn't too much of a problem but it will perform better with a finish.
It is sold as an underwater anticorrosive primer but that doesn't mean it is not suitable above water. Usually the reverse is the case - primers designed for above water use cannot be used immersed.
I must take issue with the comment about red oxide. Red oxide primers are about the lowest grade of anticorrosive money can buy. Technology has moved on massively since red oxide had any credibility and there are many better options.
Primocon will work perfectly well as a primer on your tank but it would be better if finished with a topcoat. It does not have good exposure properties, especially UV. UV probably isn't too much of a problem but it will perform better with a finish.
It is sold as an underwater anticorrosive primer but that doesn't mean it is not suitable above water. Usually the reverse is the case - primers designed for above water use cannot be used immersed.
I must take issue with the comment about red oxide. Red oxide primers are about the lowest grade of anticorrosive money can buy. Technology has moved on massively since red oxide had any credibility and there are many better options.
fishermantwo
Well-Known Member
I would agree. Best bet is to wander off to your local hardware/paint shop and buy the best solvent based paint for metal they sell, sort of stuff you would paint a trailer or metal gates etc.
KREW2
Well-Known Member
Right! I have now made a decision. As I don't want to have to hoik it out again too soon I will give it a topcoat of Rustoleum. I've just painted an "A" frame gantry at our club with it and the results are very good. Thanks for the tips.
Seanick
Well-Known Member
Primocon is a very good primer. Using thinners no. 3, as opposed to no 1, it is very durable when dry, and will resist oils etc in the short term. It has high solids, and will form a good barrier from air and moisture.
Painting the rusty bits in some way before painting with something like Fertan or Vactan would have been best, but two good coats of Primocon will last far longer than Hammer****e or other DIY 'metal paints'.
If you want to overcoat it I would use a single pack polyurethene paint, and do it in white so you can see where the rust reforms, and to lighten up your engine room.
Painting the rusty bits in some way before painting with something like Fertan or Vactan would have been best, but two good coats of Primocon will last far longer than Hammer****e or other DIY 'metal paints'.
If you want to overcoat it I would use a single pack polyurethene paint, and do it in white so you can see where the rust reforms, and to lighten up your engine room.
KREW2
Well-Known Member
I forgot to mention, after wire brushing I went over all the light rust patches with fertan.
I also used international thinners no3 so as to get enough out of the tin.
Were you watching me?
Seanick
Well-Known Member
We are all being watched, man.