Paint question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario
Paint question
I have been working like mad to strip my car for paint, have most of it stripped and ready for primer. What type of primer should I use and any special instructions for this?
Thanks
Jeff
Thanks
Jeff
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
Hi Jeff,
I too have completely stripped the paint on my 76. I am now in the process of taking care of minor body work and smoothing some imperfections. My only advise is, as told to me, to stay with one manufacturer. It assures that all the coating systems are compatible.
Sorry to slightly highjack your thread with this question, but it might help out.
To ALL,
After stripping, how much sanding is required, if any, before applying primer coat?
Thanks!
I too have completely stripped the paint on my 76. I am now in the process of taking care of minor body work and smoothing some imperfections. My only advise is, as told to me, to stay with one manufacturer. It assures that all the coating systems are compatible.
Sorry to slightly highjack your thread with this question, but it might help out.
To ALL,
After stripping, how much sanding is required, if any, before applying primer coat?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
If you are going to do any bodywork or straigten out any waves do it before the primer. You will want to sand the fiberglass with 220-320 grit sandpaper and then clean the surface. Do not use Prep-sol or a strong wax and grease remover on bare glass. Then apply a 2 part urethane primer surfacer. Then apply a guide coat and sand with 400-500. Then apply sealer and paint.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
House of Kolor Primer
I'm in the middle of priming and block sanding my '72, and I have been using a House of Kolor 2 part primer called KP2CFA & B. So far, I would say it have been very easy to use, very forgiving, and lays down a great base.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
use a catalyst primer like SlickSand from Fiberglass Evercoat or like products from DuPont or other automotive paint mgs. Most automotive paint mfgs carry catalyst primers.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario
Originally Posted by CF6873
If you are going to do any bodywork or straigten out any waves do it before the primer. You will want to sand the fiberglass with 220-320 grit sandpaper and then clean the surface. Do not use Prep-sol or a strong wax and grease remover on bare glass. Then apply a 2 part urethane primer surfacer. Then apply a guide coat and sand with 400-500. Then apply sealer and paint.
All my final sanding so far has been with 220 grit / what type of grease remover should I use?
I'm a novice at painting, sounds like quite a few steps before you get to paint. Are all the steps listed above required?
Thanks
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 13
From: San Angelo TX
Originally Posted by GDaina
use a catalyst primer like SlickSand from Fiberglass Evercoat or like products from DuPont or other automotive paint mgs. Most automotive paint mfgs carry catalyst primers.
Evercoat's Slick Sand and the Featherfill G2 are both excellent polyester primers that work great on Corvettes. I have found that Slick Sand sprays a little better when thinned with about 10% acetone as it states in the product sheet that you can do. Polyester is also good for applying directly to the aluminum parts (like the headlight covers) without the need of an etching primer. In fact, polyesters should never be applied over an etching primer.
Fiberglass resin is a polyester also so putting on polyester primer really makes sense. (Polyester on polyester)
Polyester primers are extremely high build can be applied really thick without the worry of trapping solvents. They are great for allowing the blocking of wavy fiberglass panels to get them perfectly flat using a long sanding board. (Proper blocking of the primer is one of the keys to getting a perfect paint job on a Corvette.) I use 180 grit on the bare fiberglass in prepping for polyester primer and also use 180 grit (dry) on a long board for blocking.
Although you can paint directly over a polyester primer, pros advise putting on a final coat of urethane primer or a 2K sealer over it before topcoating.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Originally Posted by Jeffski
Thanks for all the replys. I have been doing some required bodywork as well. New bumpers front and rear (Flexiglass) also fixed passenger door gap. Car had Luggage rack so I'm thinking about filling in the holes for that as well. Picked up an L88 hood, but the fit is very poor / not sure if I will keep it / it was a swap meet pce, so not alot of money.
All my final sanding so far has been with 220 grit / what type of grease remover should I use?
I'm a novice at painting, sounds like quite a few steps before you get to paint. Are all the steps listed above required?
Thanks
Jeff
All my final sanding so far has been with 220 grit / what type of grease remover should I use?
I'm a novice at painting, sounds like quite a few steps before you get to paint. Are all the steps listed above required?
Thanks
Jeff
Wax and Grease removers should only be used before any sanding takes place. After the stripping and sanding you want to use a much more mild solvent. Every paint manufacturer makes one. I like Dupont 3901S Final Klean. It drys very fast and doesn't leave any residue behind.
There are many steps to preparing a car for paint. I basically mentioned the primer step, sealer and paint. The guide coat is to help you determine when the deep scratches have been sanded out of the primer.
As was mentioned above the polyester primers are excellent for fiberglass and a bit cheaper than urethane primers.They do require a gun with a very large fluid nozzle to spray. I would still seal with urethane or epoxy sealer before painting.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Partlow VA