Zinc Chromate Primer

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Fellow Wixers I need your advice. I have some aluminum to prime for a project and it is ww2 vintage that originally had zinc chromate aircraft primer. What do restoration shops use these days to get the yellow chromate finish along with corrosion protection? It is my understanding that the chromate is no longer available for enviro reasons.

Thanks!

oops meant for this to go in the maint hanger, sorry. :oops:

n5151ts · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:55 pm

..but it was a couple of years ago.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:32 pm

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ptizincchromateprimer.php

Bela P. Havasreti

Dan K · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:21 pm

Yup, what Bela wrote...Aircraft Spruce.

Bought a case of green Zinc Chromate spray bombs from them at OSH. Works great for priming small areas or holes before shooting rivets.

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Thanks guys! I did a seach but somehow didn't find their internet site before I asked here.

Mark V · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:10 pm

PinecastleAAF wrote:

What do restoration shops use these days to get the yellow chromate finish along with corrosion protection?

I have used a modern etch primer and polyurethene base primer system coupled with a two-pack polyurethene top coat coloured to look like zinc chromate (semi-gloss). best of both worlds - authentic appearance and best protection for the metal.

Eric Friedebach · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:13 pm

PinecastleAAF wrote:

It is my understanding that the chromate is no longer available for enviro reasons.

Should I start hoarding?

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:13 pm

Go to your local auto paint store, tell them you are looking for water based solvent resistant primer, and can they please tint it to match this (have it with you) sample?
Every manufacturer now uses water based because of environmental reasons, and it's a thousand times better at adhering than the silver water base was on your Uncles 80 Olds CUTLASS.
Boeing uses water base exclusively on everything-with the plus that a simple respirator for drywall sanding (particle) is plenty of protection against overspray instead of chemical cannisters and a 122 style negative draw half face would be.

famvburg · **Joined:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 540

"Every manufacturer"? I don't think so...............

The Inspector wrote:

Go to your local auto paint store, tell them you are looking for water based solvent resistant primer, and can they please tint it to match this (have it with you) sample?
Every manufacturer now uses water based because of environmental reasons, and it's a thousand times better at adhering than the silver water base was on your Uncles 80 Olds CUTLASS.
Boeing uses water base exclusively on everything-with the plus that a simple respirator for drywall sanding (particle) is plenty of protection against overspray instead of chemical cannisters and a 122 style negative draw half face would be.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:10 pm

Perhaps there are some manufacturers who still use the environmentally unfriendly and physically dangerous real zinc chromate, but, unless they are dumping it out in the woods, if they are in the U.S. they have to pay pretty stiff fees to dispose of it as it is listed as a hazardous chemical.
Personally, after teaching confined space and hazardous chemicals awareness, I wouldn't spray it on my Ex wife, or let her spray it on anything else.
Unfiltered (by respirator) the fumes and chemical compounds will settle in your lungs and then leech into your bloodstream, then to your filters (kidneys, liver, pancreas) and the last time I was in POOP BOYS, I saw filters for Fords, Chevies, Dodges, but none for humans, those are very expensive and costly to replace-look up zinc chromate on the NIOSH (national institute of occupational safety and health) website or an MSDS listing and see if you want that stuff anywhere near you or your loved ones,
But, I'll leave it to you to play your own game of chemical roulette :roll:

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:57 pm

I recently (well not that recently but time flows through the universe differently when dealing with warbird restorations) got my wings back from Carl Scholl's Aerotrader and they have what looks like the perfect chromate. Maybe they can help? jb

PinecastleAAF wrote:

Fellow Wixers I need your advice. I have some aluminum to prime for a project and it is ww2 vintage that originally had zinc chromate aircraft primer. What do restoration shops use these days to get the yellow chromate finish along with corrosion protection? It is my understanding that the chromate is no longer available for enviro reasons.

Thanks!

oops meant for this to go in the maint hanger, sorry. :oops:

Warbird Mechanic · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:01 pm

We use green Zinc Chromate primer spray in our shop on our GA aircraft and its works great. It actually does not have any zinc in it whatsoever since this compound was outlawed several years ago due to obvious health safety reasons. It looks just the same as the original hazardous stuff once its dried and cured. Aircraft Spruce and a couple other manufacturers sell it under its original name. We always use a respirator and common sense when we spary this stuff in the shop. Can never be too careful.

Jim

mustanglover · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:06 pm

"Zinc" Chromate has not had zinc in it for years.

you can still purchase "Zinc Chromate" all day long and it is not environmentally unfriendly, etc.

The Inspector wrote:

Perhaps there are some manufacturers who still use the environmentally unfriendly and physically dangerous real zinc chromate, but, unless they are dumping it out in the woods, if they are in the U.S. they have to pay pretty stiff fees to dispose of it as it is listed as a hazardous chemical.
Personally, after teaching confined space and hazardous chemicals awareness, I wouldn't spray it on my Ex wife, or let her spray it on anything else.
Unfiltered (by respirator) the fumes and chemical compounds will settle in your lungs and then leech into your bloodstream, then to your filters (kidneys, liver, pancreas) and the last time I was in POOP BOYS, I saw filters for Fords, Chevies, Dodges, but none for humans, those are very expensive and costly to replace-look up zinc chromate on the NIOSH (national institute of occupational safety and health) website or an MSDS listing and see if you want that stuff anywhere near you or your loved ones,
But, I'll leave it to you to play your own game of chemical roulette :roll:

Django · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:15 pm

We buy the green and yellow oxide. Looks the same and alot less toxic. Of course then there's still the MEK that we use too... :lol:

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:42 pm

Jim Beasley wrote:

I recently (well not that recently but time flows through the universe differently when dealing with warbird restorations) got my wings back ...

That's great.

I knew there was a time warp around here somewhere, and it's centred on the aircraft in bits!

By the way, Jim, don't fly too near the sun in those new wings....

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