Key point to select red iron oxide primer is considered from work’s purpose, for example;

Primer epoxy is high of quality, stability and friction but it is expensive and complicated in mixing process which all ingredients have to come from the same brand with the fixed ratio. If technician is not professional enough, quality of epoxy is not as standard. It’s used for construction to focus on durability, for example; construction near oceans, aircrafts and megaprojects

Another popular one is acrylic resin which is good in quality and color flexibility because it stands for friction force, is easy to use and quite cheap. The important thing is that water shouldn’t be mixed too much and in ingredients should be follow the label. If the label requires to use whether turpentine or thinner, it’s better to use the right ingredient with the right ratio in order to high quality of work.

Red lead is another type which consists of lead and tin in the form of liquor in order to increase rust resistance. Furthermore, some materials such as orange red lead are added in order to increase the quality. Generally, it is well-known to use in industrial fields, mechanical works and megaprojects. This is because of easy mix, good quality and reasonable cost.


Those are the popular ones although there are many of the rest.

Regarding steel cost is quite high; primer should work efficiently after painting. Therefore, the right primer should be chosen to the right work, budget, labor cost, and work period. It should be used in the right way as label as following;

1. Steel surface must be totally dry without any rust or old paint. The first paint or spray must be light and repeated as the fixed ratio on label.

2. Don’t mix primer from many different brands but no problem with the real paint. After all is mixed, it should be use all once, don’t keep it.

3. Don’t use the expired paint because chemical quality might be reduced. All ingredients must be mixed with the right type and ratio as on label.

4. If the repeated paint is light such as white, pink or cream, color of primer should be light as gray. The dark premier might make the real paint dull.

5. Primer must not be sedimentary or too hard.