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Debate: Is it worth spending extra on a weld-through primer for panel gaps?
I started using a special weld-through primer on a quarter panel repair last week after getting surface rust in the gaps on my previous job. The can cost me $18, but it stopped corrosion where the spot welds go. On the other hand, my buddy says he skips it and just uses regular primer after welding, and he hasn't had issues in 5 years. Does the extra cost and time pay off in the long run, or is it a gimmick for most shop jobs?
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johnson.adam6mo ago
Man I feel you on that rust in the gaps thing, it sucks to see your work start rotting a year later. I used to skip the weld through primer too and just hit it with regular stuff after, but I had a truck cab corner I did that started bubbling from the backside of the spot welds after like 18 months. That $18 can saved my butt when I redid it. Honestly, if you're doing something that sees salt or rain like a fender or rocker panel, spend the few extra bucks. For a random inner panel that never gets wet, yeah your buddy is probably fine skipping it. I'd rather know it's sealed right from the start than gamble on grinding out a bad rust patch later.
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noah_palmer424mo ago
That bit about the bubbling from the backside of spot welds hits home. Had the same thing happen on a set of inner fenders I did on my old F150. Thought I was being smart skipping the weld through primer, just painted the top side real good. By the next winter I saw those little brown spots coming through the seams. The moisture gets trapped in there and just cooks the metal from the inside out. Now I treat weld through primer like cheap insurance on anything that might see a little road splash. Sure it's an extra step, but I'd rather spend 15 minutes spraying that stuff than ripping apart a panel down the road.
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noahhernandez6mo ago
Respectfully, I've had great luck with quality paint and skip the fancy primer.
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