what to do on primers

[minowevie]

Hi guys, I am getting ready to paint my cantainer, and I am going with the roof white Henry , it has 91% heat or sunray, reflection. don't know if I said that right. it is suposed to stretch and not crak.and doesn't let puddaling matter. like in dents and stuff. but seams like great stuff. it says, you don't have to put primer on first, unless it is a old roof. it goes on aluminum, mettale wood etc. but I think my cantainer was painted with oil base pait. ??? not sure. so I was thinking I should use a primer, sealer on it. just to be safe. BUT. when I went to the paint guys. he said a water base primer would work. and the other place where I got the roof paint. they said, oil base primer. but both wasn't sure.??? the Henry stuff. is water clean up. so ..... as you might know. you can buy oil base paint, that is water clean up. so I am really confused. will the water base primer sealer work . do you think. sure don't wont it to peal off. the only reason I am using this is to reflect the heat. not to make it pretty. thanks for looking and any advice is welcome. your friend Evie

[JohnB]

G'day Evie,
First I'd use a pressure washer to give the container a bloody good cleaning, Even some sugar soap, a bucket and a broom and a lot of elbow grease
A lot of good quality modern exterior paints are self priming and an additional primer doesn't really achieve very much.
If you really want to put down a primer, I'd get a water based one that is suitable for going OVER oil based finishes, as your top coat is water based.

Hope this gives you a starting point.

[earlinjax]

Have you considered that white foamy stuff the put on manufactured homes and some flat roofs. It might have more insulating properties.

Earl

[minowevie]

Earl, not sure what foamy stuff you might be talking about. does it go right on the roof top. out in the open?? thanks

And John as always, you have helped alot. now I feel like I might be doing the right thing. I think I will paint the sides with regular oil base paint for mettal. and get some shade going . thanks for all your help. oh and yes, i will wash the heack out of it.
Sugar Water??? never heard of that. Is that in, Sugar, and Water. or is it something you buy with that name?? thanks Evie

[earlinjax]

Evie,
I don't know what it is or what you call it. My Mother had a mobile home in AZ years ago and I know she had the roof painted with the stuff. I was hoping someone else would chime in knowing what it was.

Earl

[minowevie]

Earl, thanks again, I wonder, could you ask mom, how or where she got this stuff. thanks your freind Evie

[JohnB]

G'day Evie,
Here's some info on "Sugar Soap"

Sugar soap - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I learned something to. I always wondered why it was called sugar soup.

[minowevie]

mmmm thanks John, its sugar soup, NOt sugar soap. got ya. I like the link, thanks alot. gosh learning new stuff every day.
My cantainer is oxadised. and I have used some liquid degreasser to get it off my trucks. just put the truck in the sun, then spray it on. and wash it off. works great. but don't know about the cantainer. can't just park it where I wont to. so I will try your link, thanks again. your friend Evie