If it appears like I am loading up the GM Forum with postings (and I probably am) I apologize for my deluge of inquiries. Living above the Wisconsin Arctic Circle renders any car work impossible after mid to late September until the following Memorial Day. Yes, we've had snow on Memorial Day...in fact we've had snow on the Fourth of July. So I am trying to knock off what I can before the real crap weather sets in.

On the front of my '86 Buick Regal I have a lot of pitting in the paint from road rash. I'd like to return this panel to a smooth, more attractive
look. If I use my matched color paint pen, not only will it take forever to touch up that quantity of blemishes, it will probably also leave little
paint "zits." I think the only way to do it is to smooth sand that panel down to the bare metal, apply automotive primer...then spray my matched color black followed by spraying top coat. So I am looking for recommendations of good primer. The Internet is full of so-called "evaluations" of the best primers but these all seem to be just phony advertisements by sellers who amazon dealers. Thanks to anyone for your help.

You either should stop short of removing the electrocoat or you'll want etching primer for the bare metal. You do not want to use regular primer on bare metal as it will not stick right.

Thanks a lot Carfixer007. You saved me from making a bad mistake. Etching primer it will be.

Ummm . . . correct me if I'm wrong: Isn't that fiberglass or plastic?

No worries, we've got lots of room for more posts! It'* kind of slow around here these days anyways.

CathedralCub would you kindly hand me that rag over there on your work bench? I have some egg to wipe off my face.
As usual, you're astute questioning prompted me to take a closer look and...lo-and-behold! --- that panel is plastic, not metal.
So now I am in a quandary as to how to proceed. I'm not enthusiastic about sanding off the old paint because I am afraid
it will scrub and damage the plastic underneath and leave gouges. H-m-m-m.

How would you forum guys proceed to get rid of those road-rash speckles?

I didn't think that was plastic. Live and learn.
Sand it down. Just be careful and you'll be OK. I would use 200 grit to take it down and switch to 400 to finish. With plastic you'll want to add flex in with the clear.

LOL, I'm astute! Cool!

Yeah, what carfixer007 said ^^^^^^^

. . . but you don't have to hurry, it won't rust.

Carfixer007 and CathedralCub, thank you. I too believed I was looking at bare metal through the pocked marks that have been chipped away; grey and very metallic looking. It wasn't until CathedralCub shook me and woke me that I took a closer look and exclaimed, "SHAZZAM! It IS plastic!."
I've already replaced the bumper fillers and those too were plastic, too, so I am going to give the sanding a try and repaint it. If I botch it I'll just have to buy a new plastic one. Guess a guy needs lots of model airplane glue to work on model airplanes and Buick Regals. I'm also replacing the headliner and just discovered there is no headliner board...they just glued the fabric to whatever was up there. Wish I had known some of these shortcuts when I bought this car in late 1985...negotiating with the dealer on price would have been a little more interesting. Anyway, thanks fellers...will keep you posted.

You bought it in 1985? Cool!

Thanks CathedralCub. It was the only time in my life we went in and bought a new car. I had just been
hired in a very good job and my wife and I decided we'd do something irresponsible for a change to celebrate. Unfortunately the job dissolved within a year but I still am glad we did it. Everybody should do that at least once in their lives; it was quite a feeling and now it'* still a warm memory. The best part: it'* paid off.

Carfixer007: "You do not want to use regular primer on bare metal as it will not stick right."
Should I still prime the plastic with etching primer?