Sanded engine bay to bare metal, what primer?

[Jon Clough]

Originally Posted by cacwyo

Primers do not seal moisture out unless it is a type of epoxy primer, which in most cases will help seal out moisture but is not permanent as it will break down over time. I would recommend if your wanting to go a cheap route, just using a chassis black paint which is usually a epoxy formula.

But...keep in mind, the for the absolute "best" results, if you start with a bare area of metal, use an etch primer, then an epoxy then your top coat. So unless you want to re-sand everything 2 times, just spend the money to take care of it the first time around

I second the use of an etch primer over bare steel, if you don't the paint may come off.