I'm fast approaching the paint stage of my restification and want to start gathering materials. My question...what color primer did they use at the factory in '69? Black? Rust? Gray? I know I'll find out when I start sanding, but I'd like to have it on hand when I get there. Does using the factory primer color really matter?I would think that complete color coat coverage would make it a non-issue, but I've had a couple of people tell me the undercoat affects the visible color of the topcoat. I'm talking factory Garnet red here, not some candy/pearl/metal flake job. Any insight?

For the most part, the factory didnt use primer(as a filler)cause there was no plastic in the cars like we would use after a repair.

The e-coat is black then and now, and of what Ive seen in the cars that Ive scraped out, they used a red oxide lookin sealer on the cars no matter what the color.

If you sand thru your e-coat, spray a zinc etch(of some sort) on it, if your using DuPont, they have whats called 'ValueShade', have the corresponding ValueShade mixed up for your color, base color, and clear.

The color of sealer(your under coat)affects how quickly the color will hide. If you tinted up some neutral gray sealer with a magenta toner, its going to make it hide quicker and better color hold out.

Your statement 'visible color of the topcoat', that tells me that not enough color was put on, and the hue got changed from what was seen in the can to what was seen on the finished product. Its all about hideing, getting the best coverage in the least amount of color.

Hope Ive answered your question.

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67 Camaro SS Conv.
70 Challenger R/T Conv.