I have done a few paint jobs over the years. All on hondas. I have never used epoxy before. I would prep the panels, then i would spray a sealer down, then base/clear coat. What is the epoxy for? Is it needed? What benefits does it have?

Reason im asking is im building a 71 stepside and im hearing all these old timers talking about epoxy. Would the method i have been using on the hondas work on this older truck? Epoxy better for older vehicles?

Any info on epoxy would be great.

Thanks

 

epoxy is used as an adhesion promoter for BARE METAL. its used most the time instead of etching primer now. spray it, then some sandable primer(or primer-sealer) then sealer. then paint. it works great and even prevents rust from forming.

EDIT: u can spray it over scuffed paint and body filler too, but its best primer for bare metal

 

Epoxy primer is a durable 2K type primer. It conditions and protects bare metal. It can be sprayed wet on wet when priming/painting, but mfr's steps have to be followed to prevent problems. It has a wide range of flash/cure times depending on how its sprayed and mixed. Some situations its better to apply, cure, abrade, then continue on. Its is commonly used on the internal areas of a unibody car during mfg and repair, where a typical spray gun can not get into. It can also be brushed on, to touch up small areas of bare metal. I would only use it on outer body panels that have a large area of bare metal. Its great for resto's, pre high-high build, glass replacement gouges, ect, so yes it is better for older vehicles. Good high quality, high build primer meant for bare metal works fine too, where epoxy isn't totally nessesary. Epoxy can be used before sealing/base but could cause die back problems, wich really isn't a big deal. I really would recommend using it before reg. primer instead of wet on wet to sealer then to base/clear.

 

from what ive been taught... epoxy is best for rebuilds. meaning taking all the over paint and body work off and starting new from bare metal. also, if you have good paint and you burn through to the metal in small spots epoxy isn't needed. just two good coats of 2k primer and its all good.