Primer on small parts

[Hoenes]

We are rebuilding cam-locks and small castings for rear adjustable rims on an AC. We have access to a bead blaster, which gets them to bear metal pretty easy. On these small parts we are using Van Sickle rattle cans. (AC orange to bare metal) Is this a mistake and should we be using primer first?
 

[glennster]

i would get a primer on first. you prolly dont want to keep mixing up a batch and using a spray gun, so you could use something like sem self etch primer. comes in 16 oz rattle cans. your local body shop supplier will have it.
poke here

 

[CNKS]

The mistakes are no primer and Van Sickle. My experience with Van Sickle rattle cans (others can disagree) is that it is the worst rattle can paint in existence. Easy to run and dries VERY slow. I set my small parts aside, and if necessary to prevent rust, which seldom occurs, use Picklex 20 or Must For Rust-Home depot. As to painting small parts, get a small touch up gun, apply epoxy primer and topcoat. If you have time to prepare them for primer, you might as well topcoat, in my case the same day. Then you are done with them.
 

[sflem849]

Glen - Can you go with Etch Primer Wipes? My neighbor is a body man and that is what he does to his small parts.
 

[glennster]

i have not used them, so i cant say how good they are. we do use the sem etch primer in rattle cans here for small areas and it performs well. from a cost standpoint, to mix a small amount for spraying it gets too expensive. typically our primers are in the 250 to 300 dollar a gallon range, and then there is clean up of the spray equipment. gets spendy quickly.
 

[Colin Costine]

Are you doing nothing but the cam locks? In the course of my painting a tractor last year I prepped many small parts and then during the main painting of chassis and sheet metal I dipped many small parts into a container of paint then hung to dry, and hung and spray painted many medium sized parts.