sh!ft

so im in the process of shaving my engine bay, and its down to bare metal. i was told to use this certain primer called "epoxy primer" when using bare metal as the base with no paint to lay the primer on. then i was told to lay about 3 coats, and sand in between coats. is this the proper way to do this procedure in order to have a flawless imperfection free paint job?

i am also choosing to go with a jet black. and the same procedure was advised to me as well. 3 coats, sand in between each. as for the clear, i was told to lay 3 as well, then sand(wet) and then cut/buff.

can some one tell me if i have this down correct and possibly give me a few more pointers? any help would be apprecitaed


thanks h-t


-sh!ft

tegra1027

ummmmm no... Epoxy prime yes... 1 or 2 coats is fine as long as all the metal is covered. I usually but a coat of urethane filler primer on that because it sannds a lot easier than epoxy. So:

1. 2 coats of epoxy with about 10 15 minutes flash between coats, with no sanding in between.
2. one or two coats of filler primer with 10 or 15 minutes after the epoxy and in between coats.
3. let dry according to the cans directions and primer
4.paint jet black 2 or three coats or until covered(no sanding in between)
5. wait 10 or 15 minutes or until dry enough to tack off
6.clear coat ( 2 or 3 coats) wait until the clear strings when touched to put on each coat

you do not need to wetsand or buff if you dont want to. it depends how it turns out. if you do,, only wetsand areas where you can reach a buffer into.

sand with 1500 wet then buff. I like perfect it II compound. then you can polish. i like black max.
Good luck. post pics.

sh!ft

so, no sanding between primer coats? then use the urethane primer filler? then use the paint, then clear? but wait 15 min for each coat of each type?

Rukusmasta2

no, no sanding between coats, but after the last coat of primer get some paint and spray a mist (guide coat) on there. That way when you wet sand and you remove your guide coat, you know its a nice smooth surface to spray your base. Only sand in between coats if you notice imperfections.

sh!ft

I have heard about the guide coat before. Just a light coat?

tegra1027

thank you... i forgot!

yes, just a very light mist coat.

likwidchz

Guide coat is used at the last step before sanding or after sanding then more sanding, you just spray it on and sand over it and if you keep sanding and notice the guide coat color after you sand, that means that area is low and you need more filler.

I tend to not use it and then get pissed after i see imperfections after i buff !

--Aaron

sh!ft

lol im at the point where im almost completely done stripping the bay. its really nice too!
i got it so smooth that i took some aluminium polish and hit an area and it shined soo hard that i could see my reflection LOL

likwidchz

just make sure you sand all that damn seam glue off.

and weld the areas where you sanded off the seam glue! I failed to do this and I notice some slight cracks in 2 specific area's on my EG engine bay. on the right and left side right behind the front headlights. I would recommend you weld yours there before you lay bondo on it or what not to prevent it from cracking like mine.

--Aaron

sh!ft

alot of the **** is really shaved smooth and even so ionno

likwidchz

right now it has 0 hp.

I guess if your bored you can weld up all the holes with nothing going to them ;P

Bondo with fiberglass in it, on top of bare metal "scuff with low grit like 80ish"
Glazing putty .. uses the same hardener as the fiberglass bondo above, but is even easier to sand.
primer or high fill primer
( single stage paint ) or ( basecoat then clearcoat )

then stare at it a while

then put your engine in it.

--Aaron

sh!ft

i know the second i finish im not gonna wanna do anything with it lol