I've read different things about when to apply. Most say right before you prime coat because of the porosity.

I was thinking as soon as I get down to metal and clean it would be a good time to spray some of that duplicator metal etch.

Problem is the time between my car being bare metal and ready for actual primer is far off.
Any thoughts on this?
Any recommendations on an etching brand , preferably rattle.

I basically want to prep my car up to a point that the metal is protected until I can drag it into a paint shop and have them prime, sand, block,etc.

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I used some from Eastwood once.

All I can say is wear a quality respirator: that stuff is NASTY and will irritate un-protected airways at minimum.

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obliquely-inclined state of mind

I don't know what type & brand primer you are using, but I have always primed at least twice: once immediately after finishing cleaning and exposing the bare metal, and again with a fresh coat just before top coats. The paint store should have an instruction sheet for the product you are using. I just don't like the dampness in the air to allow rust (corrosion) to start immediately after I've spent so much effort cleaning the metal.

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"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

I probably need to check with the paint shop I'll be using. I'm more worried about compatibility of products.

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