Anyone use the Iron Phosphate Primer?

[engineerscott]

I interested in any experiences anyone has with the Iron Phosphate primer? Specifically, I want to know if this is a conversion coating or if this is a primer that sits on top of the metal. The description on the website doesn't really give me enough information. A MSDS sheet would help. If it is a conversion coating (i.e. something that converts Iron to Iron Phosphate) then I think it will be mostly Phosphoric Acid (with maybe some detergents and surfacants thrown in). It would not have any appreciable thickness and should turn the metal dark gray or blue.

I am about to start restoring an old car. In a modern car they run the body panels through an Iron Phosphate conversion wash before priming and painting. This gives the metal some inherent corrosion protection and gives the primer a better surface to stick to. I'd like to duplicate this process both for painted and powdercoated finishes.

[cdaeme]

The Iron Phos. is a conversion coating. I have used it on all steel parts I have coated so far with good results. From reading here I dont see many people that speak of using it though.

Jason
Auto-Cycle PC

[seanc]

The Iron Phosphate is phosphoric acid based, and it does exactly as you surmised: turns parts grey-blue w/some irridescence.

It works good, I use it to prep my parts for powder coating.

Sean

[engineerscott]

Thanks for the info guys. Am I right in thinking that you want to heat this before application? I've got some big pieces (like fenders) that would be too big to dip or submerge. I'm trying to think of how I would heat the solution and then spray it over a big part like a fender.

[jjucius]

I use 1000 watt heaters in a 5 gal bucket and a engine cleaner gun hooked to my air compressor i got the heater from fleet farm and the gun from menards. works great and heats it up fast to about 110 degrees.
Joe

[engineerscott]

That's a good idea. Where'd you get the enginer cleaning gun?

[jjucius]

i picked it up at menards, they probley have them any where they sell air tools, i might have seen one at walmart to. it's just a gun where you can attach your air hose to and a clear tube that hooks to the gun and has a weight on the other end that you just put into the bucket. i will try to take some pics and put them up.
Joe

[SHAWN93]

Is it safe to assume then, that you just spray the primer on and let it set a couple minutes?? Does it dry? How long after spraying the part can it be pc'd?? Thanks for help.

[jjucius]

I usualy spray it on for around 2-3 min then spray it down with water put it in the oven at low temp to help dry then powder and bake. works great. you dont want to leave it on too long or it will start to oxidize. around a couple of min then wash off with clean water. that stops the reaction. and dont touch with your hands, it leaves a crystal like sturcture on the parts and if you touch it the oils from your hands will cause it to break down. i use a rolling rack that i can phosphate then wash then roll into the oven i never have to touch the parts till done.
Joe

[jbotti1]

After applying the phosphate, rinsing, and allowing to dry, do you clean with prepsol? Thanks,
Joe