Prepping Epoxy For Top Coat

[JonnyAlpha]

OK so I have laid on a good layer of Epoxy on a mix of bare metal, acid etch and original paint. I have just seam sealed everywhere that needs it.

My intention is to lay on another thin coat of epoxy and then top coat wet on wet on the epoxy.

Bottom line up front, I have wet sanded down the Epoxy with 320 grit to give the next coat of epoxy a key. After going over with 320, as the first coat was a little rough / dimpled I also went over wet with P800, I fear that now the epoxy is to smooth for the next coat??

Will the next coat lay on and adhear to a base coat that has been flatted with P800 or do I need to rough it up again?

Thanks in advance

 

[norsa]

800 is probably too fine for adhesion of epoxy. Why are you going wet on wet having done all that prep?

 

[JonnyAlpha]

So I need to scuff back up with 320 then for another coat of Epoxy

I thought wet on wet from the next coat of epoxy would be the way to go? Do you think I should lay on the next coat of epoxy and then let it cute for 24 hours and then lay the top coats on in the same fashion?

 

[norsa]

400 is the standard for primer, 320 should be ok. wet on wet is fine if youre not worried about the finish. Better to lay on your primer, cure it, guide it, flat it to 600-800 then top coat it.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

So I'll key up the epoxy that I have laid on already with 320 (after a little more filler in ages areas) then lay on another coat of epoxy.
Leave that to cure then wet n dry to get a nice finish ready for the Top Coat. Is 800 OK for prepping the epoxy before Top Coat?

Can I then wet in wet the top coats or leave to dry and sand?

 

[norsa]

Correct. 800 for COB or if you like 600 DG, all wet on wet. If you are doing COB take advice from relevant basecoat data sheet for flash off period pre clear.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Correct. 800 for COB or if you like 600 DG, all wet on wet. If you are doing COB take advice from relevant basecoat data sheet for flash off period pre clear.

Sorry I don't quite follow your reply what is COB and 600DG and wet on wet for top coats is ok? will this give the same finish, I only have a make shift tent so the Top coats would be better going on in a day so with the last coat of epoxy that would be two separate spraying days.

P.S. This Lechler Epoxy and Top Coats are celluose

 

[norsa]

COB is clear over base. i.e. Clear lacquer over basecoat (metallic) for the sake of explanation. DG is direct gloss ie a solid gloss colour. So, which one are you doing?

 

[the snooper]

going from your original post, the epoxy should really have been straight on to the bare metal and you should really have used either acid etch or epoxy, not both also no need to prime on top of sound paint, primer is there to bond to the metal so your subsequent coats adhere properly, did you seam seal on top of the expoxy if so good as on top of acid etch can cause the sealed joint to fail due to acid residue, with celly you may get some blooming but it should polish up fine, try to paint when nice and warm

 

[JonnyAlpha]

COB is clear over base. i.e. Clear lacquer over basecoat (metallic) for the sake of explanation. DG is direct gloss ie a solid gloss colour. So, which one are you doing?

I am painting cellulose colour over Epoxy Primer. Hope to lay another coat of Epoxy over, or should I just go over the areas that I seam sealed? I will then start laying down the cellulose colour - how many coats? Wet on wet?

going from your original post, the epoxy should really have been straight on to the bare metal and you should really have used either acid etch or epoxy, not both also no need to prime on top of sound paint, primer is there to bond to the metal so your subsequent coats adhere properly, did you seam seal on top of the expoxy if so good as on top of acid etch can cause the sealed joint to fail due to acid residue, with celly you may get some blooming but it should polish up fine, try to paint when nice and warm

I did take advice regarding paint epoxy on various surfaces, the Acid Etch TBH was only on the floor areas on the inside of the car, the outside was heavily sanded, in some places down to bare metal, in others down to the original primer and in some places taking off part of the top coat. The epoxy finish all over was pretty good.

I have seam sealed on top of the Epoxy.

I have some Anti Bloom Thinners for the celly and hope to do it in the warm weather (if we get some more :-( )

 

[the snooper]

I am painting cellulose colour over Epoxy Primer. Hope to lay another coat of Epoxy over, or should I just go over the areas that I seam sealed? I will then start laying down the cellulose colour - how many coats? Wet on wet?



I did take advice regarding paint epoxy on various surfaces, the Acid Etch TBH was only on the floor areas on the inside of the car, the outside was heavily sanded, in some places down to bare metal, in others down to the original primer and in some places taking off part of the top coat. The epoxy finish all over was pretty good.

I have seam sealed on top of the Epoxy.

I have some Anti Bloom Thinners for the celly and hope to do it in the warm weather (if we get some more :-( )

i think the weather will be the most uncertain part about it, I hope it turns out well, the car that is not just the weather

 

[norsa]

Yes, finish your priming as previously discussed, cure, guide and flat 800 Then go in with your celly to hold out (fully covered with a consistent non patchy shade) All wet on wet with a fairly short flash off time. It depends what colour you are using as to how many coats will hold out. Maybe 4. Once dried, it can then be flatted and polished if you wish.
Nick

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Yes, finish your priming as previously discussed, cure, guide and flat 800 Then go in with your celly to hold out (fully covered with a consistent non patchy shade) All wet on wet with a fairly short flash off time. It depends what colour you are using as to how many coats will hold out. Maybe 4. Once dried, it can then be flatted and polished if you wish.
Nick

Ok so I laid on a second coat of primer (after some more minor filling) and let cure for 24 hours then yesterday afternoon I flatted down with P800 masked up and started the Top Coats. I started to late and the weather was against me (threatening to rain with a the odd light drizzle). I ended up finishing quite late and as result had to use a work lamp for the last coat.

I think I laid on about 3 coats and as it was drying off it looked patchy but couldn't tell whether this was the lack of paint covering or just the paint drying??

Anyway this morning it is looking patchy in places so sadly is going to need a couple more coats me thinks but now its dry what should I flat with between top coats P800 again?

Thanks

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Mmm interesting, out of interest in one of the patchy areas (where I thought the paint was showing the primer underneath) I just rubbed it with a cotton cloth and the paint is darker underneath ?? So this is some kind of difference in the surface layer?

Update - having done some more reading this could be blooming caused by the moisture outside and the fact that it was not a hot sunny day? I used Anti Blooming Thinners. Can this be rectified without respraying?



Should I have a go at 1200 grit and rubbing compound?



If after this it does need another coat how do I remove the rubbing compound before respraying?

 

[JonnyAlpha]

OK so today I managed to rub the car down with P800 wet. Then laid on another three coats of celly 50% thinners. Then a fourth coat with approx 70% thinners. Apart from a couple of foreign bodies setting on my paint it turned out pretty well.

 

[the snooper]

looks nice and even, now for the hard work, polishing

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Thanks - just posted a thread asking for advice on polishing and protecting?

 

[marlinspike]

That looks very nice. You have really cracked on with your mini, and you certainly put me and my project to shame. Well done.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

That looks very nice. You have really cracked on with your mini, and you certainly put me and my project to shame. Well done.

Thanks