Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

From time to time, someone asks why the V8 cars had a pink or "rust-colored" body primer yet a black or gray primer for the front fenders, hood, etc.

"Finish", Feb. 1955 states regarding:

Body primer

"Bodies enter a downdraft tunnel type spray booth for the application of the rust color primer surfacer. Operators spray all accessible exterior and interior surfaces. The prime coat material is chosen for its stability and resistance to bleed under lacquer colors and for resistance to impact."

After a short time to let the primer dry a bit, the prime coat was then baked at 285°F. After rinsing in cold water, the entire primed body was sanded with 320 grit sandpaper, removing about 1 thou of primer thickness. The body was again washed to remove the sanding residue then passed through an 80-ft dryer at 220°F.

The body primer is referred to as Bonderite, made by the Parker Rust Proof Company, 2157 Milwaukee, Detroit 11.

Fender primer

"Fenders, hoods, fender shrouds, stone shields, etc. receive a flow coat application of black synthetic enamel as a first coat. The flow-coat machine has 28 nozzles under medium pressure. Material is circulated from a 250 gal. adjacent supply tank."

The parts were allowed to drain for 210 ft on the line then were baked at 385°F. The parts were dry sanded with 240 grit sandpaper, then "tack rag and tucson red for bare edges."

Paint (abridged)

Then, for reference, the body received four coats of lacquer afterwards; the black-primed parts, three coats.

Interior items (dash, etc.) received one coat of paint on the hidden side (if applicable) then two coats on the visible side. The interior items were also primed but no detail is given.

Thanks for the info. It still seems odd to me that they would use two different primers, but I guess that's what they did. With 3-4 coats of lacquer it really doesn't matter what's underneath it. That's a lot of layers. I'm pretty sure most modern stuff is two coats of base, then two coats of clear.