Epoxy Primers

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Epoxy primers (http://forum.eastwood.com/showthread.php?t=525)

cnymustang 05-14-2005 07:05 PM

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Epoxy primers
 
I'm looking for a little help on using epoxy primers. I have always used lacquer primers, but my local paint shop convinced me to try epoxy primer (I'm working on a 66 mustang right now). It goes on okay, but it seems like no matter what I sand it with - 180 up to 400 - it just gums up the paper (dry sanding - I haven't tried wet sanding it yet). I'm going to go back to the paint shop and see what I might be doing wrong, but I thought maybe one of you folks might know. By the way, it's PPG.

Matt Harwood 05-16-2005 05:09 PM

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You're not doing anything wrong. The fact is epoxy primers aren't really designed to be sanded--as you've discovered, they gum up the paper pretty quickly. The epoxy is designed as a sealer between substrates (either bare metal or old paint work), not as a filler, and it is great at that job. It is definitely a superior product to lacquer primers and is waterproof, unlike lacquer primers.

What I think you want is a surfacer over the epoxy. Two or three coats of epoxy will seal the metal up real well, then top that with two or three coats of surfacer, which is basically sprayable body filler. This will sand easily and give you the super-straight body panels you're looking for. It's another step, but the results will be vastly more duable than lacquer could ever hope to be. Once the surfacers are dry and straight, you can spray your paint right over it, or apply a sealer coat, though opinions vary on the necessity of that step. I'm in favor of less film thickness if you can skip that step safely. Consult with your paint supplier for advice there.

Hope this helps.

cnymustang 05-16-2005 06:47 PM

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Hi Matt,

Thanks for the info. I had some time this afternoon and stopped by the paint shop - they told me pretty much the same thing. I picked up the surfacer and will be trying that in the next couple days.

Thanks,
Tim

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