Today, I spent some time removing the rust (using electrolysis) from my left rear quarter panel on the 1923 Touring. Afterwards, I used the wire wheel on the inside of the panel. The black paint and rust easily disappeared, but there was a layer of reddish paint that was much more stubborn. Did Ford use red primer on the Model T’s?
I don't think so. That looks like . . . more rust.
The brownish color in the lower right is definitely rust residue that is collected on top of the rest of the panel. But the pink coloring sure looks like a layer of paint below the black paint, it is really smooth, and it is not so easy to remove.
Just discovered this posting from Dan Treace from 2015. Looks like I may be encountering some of that original primer on my 1923 Touring.
Just found some incredibly detailed information about paints, the colors, the primers, and the painting process. Royce posted information from Trent Boggess in 2010. It can be accessed at:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/126638.html
I question if the interior of the body panels were painted with primer. Seems like an unnecessary expense for something that was going to be hidden by upholstery.
Here is the original paint on the inside of the doors of my dad's 1917 touring. He bought the car in 1949 from the original family. It was in very good, unrestored, original condition.
He recently re-did the door panel upholstery so I took pictures when the panels were off. In my opinion, the insides of the doors just received a thin coat or two of black paint, no primer. As you can see, good coverage and appearance wasn't important. Any evidence primer on the interior panels was probably over spray.
Just my opinion based on casual observation - I haven't studied the subject.
Front passenger door:
Right rear door:
Left rear door:
Driver "dummy" door:
Paint or rust, electrolosis will remove it. Give it more time in the tank.
I had a NOS '14 rdstr body fresh out of original crate that was in original red primer.
Look at those delightful runs, drips and sags! I'm quite serious.
Fantastic evidence of the factory paint job!