Primerinfo required

[Mattu64]

Hi to all, i have a 1998 B5 Passat and the colour code is LB6N,the colour is quoted as elegant green,Halfords after much ado managed to mix a touch up aerosol(after 4 failed attempts!!) but no one in store could tell me what sort of primer is required.Any info on this will be greatly appreciated.Cheers in advance.

[AndyM]

Well to start with, if you're spraying a rigid surface eg metal bodywork, use a standard primer. If it's plastic and slightly flexible eg bumpers, mouldings, mirror housings etc, then go for the plastic primer. The Halfords brand spray primers (made by Hycote - IIRC) on the top of the spray paint aisle are completely compatible with the Minimix "made to order" paint you've just bought from them.

Generally, although not always, red primers are for red top coats, white is for light colours and grey is for mid to dark colours. The colour of the primer can have an effect on the final colour of your colour top coat, especially on lighter colours. If your car is mid to dark green, then I would suggest using the grey primer. The best way to get a good idea is to find a shade of green on the Halfords spray paint display which is rougly the same shade of green as your own car. Then look that colour up in the CRL (customer reference list - the flipchart next to the display) and it will tell you what colour of primer you need. Say for example, Renault Brooklands Green is a similar shade to your colour, look up the flipchart or in one of the colour touch up kits and you'll see what primer colour you need. In this example, I'd imagine it'd be grey. It's not a 100% guaranteed method but it'll give you a good idea of what you need. The Halfords spray primers are fantastic - the nozzles fitted to them give a great finish.

Don't forget, if your colour's metallic or pearlescent, you'll also need some clear lacquer. Again, the Halfords stuff is fine.

[Mattu64]

Cheers for that, i already have clear lacquer so thats cool,will check halfords tomorrow for the primer,the item to be painted is a boot lip spoiler and i think the material is aerospace grade ABS so i think the plastic primer is the way to go.Thanks again.