Parts prep for Primer

[RajunCajun]

Im new to these modern paint & primer processes and was wondering in what order I need to be applying certain things to various parts and major body parts of my car.

the primer im using is two part epoxy and what im mainly wondering is do I use body filler on the bare metal that has deep scratching and other defects that keep it from being smooth, but that is sandblasted or do I apply fillers after the first coat and do I need to use a diffrent kind of filler, some sort of waterproof filler? also what kind of surface condition should the parts be in 80, 120, 320, 400 grit etc...


any help would be greatly apperciated

Dave

 

[zookeeper]

There are several opinions on this, but I put the filler on bare steel, then epoxy then if necessary, use a polyester glazing putty after the epoxy primer to cover any minor low spots. As far as what grit, I use 80 grit both to prep the metal, and to rough out my filler and I've never had any trouble. Before you use any filler or primer, wipe the area down with some lacquer thinner, then use a final wash (I use House of Kolor's water-based cleaner) then you're ready to go.

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

You can go to the PPG website and look up thier product sheets for thier products. I too went through the same delimna last year. I decided to go with an epoxy primer over the bare metal, then body filler over the epoxy primer. Then primer/filler, then sealer, then base coat, then clear coat. Well, I haven't quite gotten to the base coat clear coat yet, but the body work's about done.

My PPG rep convinced me that while the body filler will stick well to either, the epoxy primer is made to seal the metal and should be put down first. My local body shop backed this up. Clean well, and prep bare metal with the metal prep suggested by the manufacturer of your primer.

I researched the heck out of the same question you are asking and got about a 50/50 response. I'd say you won't be wrong either way. Or maybe won't be right either way, depending on how people are feeling in the forum this weekend.

 

[zookeeper]

That's the same thing I ran into, House of Kolor says one thing, paint store guy says something else, friends who've painted have yet another way of doing things. I think the most important thing is to clean and scuff whatever surface you apply either the epoxy primer or filler to and you really can't go wrong. Use good brand-name products (Evercoat fillers are great, as are PPG, DuPont, House of Kolor, etc paints and primers). One thing to remember is that you get what you pay for, and the most important part of the whole equation is YOU. There is nothing sold that can't be screwed up by not following the directions.