[A/S] Re:Tip on using Zinnser 123 primer

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Zinnser 123 is one of the best primers available for promoting adhesion to
many hard to adhere to surfaces.

Obviously,. the surface to be primed should be clean and free of grease, oil
(finger prints) or soap.

Equally important is to let the primer dry for several days before top
coating.  Since 123 is a latex (emulsion) product, it must cure before its
high adhesive properties are achieved. Thus, all the water has to escape and
the cross linking of the resin must take place. I would wait at least a week
before top coating.

[You can prove this to yourself by painting a scrap (non porous surface)
with the primer. For several days, you will be able to scrape the primer off
with your finger nail. BUT, AFTER curing, the stuff develops its true (and
very impressive) bond strength and will not scrape off.]  At this point it
is safe to top coat with oil or latex paint.  I would go with an alkyd (oil
base) paint because I do not like the finish of most latex paints - flat
latex has a nice finish, but absorbs (and holds) stains like a blotter and
does not release them gracefully (without noticeable damage to the flat
finish).  Semi gloss and gloss latex paints are like "paintable chewing gum"
and never seem to get hard, and are impossible to sand. [3M has come out
with a special sterate (soap) treated sandpaper which does not clog (sort
of) when sanding the gummy latex paint.]

If you are unlucky enough to live in southern California where the EPA has
outlawed (for all practical purposes) oil based paints, go to a marine
supply, where they are still available in quart cans.  You can also get
gloss duPont Dulux automobile alkyd enamel from auto body shop suppliers and
a flattening agent which you can add to reduce the gloss. Unfortunately,
Dulux is being phased out and not all duPont auto paint dealers carry it any
more, but can probably order it for you.

Good luck,

Oliver Filippi