Original Primer on Green Trucks

[w30bob]

I may have asked this previously, but can't remember the answer..........what color was the primer used on green trucks during assembly? On my AF M37 the color under all the Strata Blue on the underside of the truck is black. I'm talking on both diffs, under the running boards, under the cab floor, etc. I know someone on here told me the red oxide we see on parts was only put on spare parts, or used during repaints by the Army, it was not on parts used to originally assemble the trucks. So on green trucks what was the color under the green...........if there was one at all?

thanks,
bob

[carolinamv]

Good question , mines restored ,but all red oxide primer.

[RMS]

all the primer Ive seen is red lead or a lime green self etching primer depending on the part. never seen anything but black on the frame.

[longshot2171]

The lowest layer on my 1963 is lime green (cab floor, running boards).

[Jess]

On my M37CDN, the frame has a black coating right against the bare steel. It is very durable and in good condition in most places. I expect this is some type of frame paint that they used, as the original dark green is next over top. I wish I could get something as good today. The body of this truck has a lot of layers of paint and some parts are white down a few layers, which may indicate UN service somewhere like Cyprus or Sinai, or a winter cam job. It has never been other than the Canadian Army and then mine, so that's not a civy paint up.

I was in the paint shop the other day, and a lot has changed with their products since I painted enamel in the driveway 30 years ago as well as $$$$.

[isaac_alaska]

I think I know the black paint you're talking about, my buddy used some real similar stuff when he painted a mining dredge. Glossy, very durable, and painted right over the existing rust. 5 years later, after living on the bering sea in the waves and salt spray every summer, most of that paint is still in good condition, and in lots of places I think its the only thing left holding that dredge together. I'll see if I can figure out what it was that he used.

[Chris P]

On my 1954 the lowest layer on both doors is red oxide. On the frame it's black.

[isaac_alaska]

I was mistaken, he used a red oxide primer followed by "exterior metal" paint. Held up really well.