Priming a car without expossed bare metal?

[greenpigs]

I have some paint that the clear is peeling off and it is oxidized big time & just looks BAD.

The plan is to DA it with some 180 to smooth things out and shoot it with black primer.

Do I need an epoxy primer if no bare metal is exposed?

Does anyone make a good rattle can primer or should I get the real stuff?

This is more for ascetics but I don't want to create a problem either & plan on painting a dark color.

THANKS!

[Domino]

A quality epoxy primer is the right product to seal/protect and serve as a base for future work.  Sunlight will slowly chaulk the epoxy finish, but you can sand that away and do your paint job later. Lots of sanding and prep solvent prior to priming is the key.

Polyester primer will not seal/protect...It is pourous and absorbs moisture.  I wouldn't allow it to weather and then try to lay a paint job over it later on.

[bill440rt]

X2   

Well said!

[Dino]

I had a small mishap with My Honda last year and had to fix my front fender.  I used a high build primer rattle can from one of the local auto places, shot three good coats, then scuffed it and put a black primer over it to make it look less obvious.  Had it on there for close to a year, just had it sanded (all primer removed), shot with the good primer and painted, it held up just fine.  Unless you don't plan on leaving it too long and in the lements, a spray can will be fine.  You can even put a satin clear over the primer to give it some more protection. 

[Troy]

SEM (I believe) makes a single part epoxy primer in a spray can now. I'm not sure of anyone who has tried it yet though.

Troy

[bull]

SEM (I believe) makes a single part epoxy primer in a spray can now. I'm not sure of anyone who has tried it yet though.

Troy

I don't know if SEM makes that stuff but Eastwood (and other places) carry the product Spray Max, which is the only one I've heard of. It's a real epoxy primer with a limited shelf life that has to be activated through a process with a special can. Once activated you have to use it all up within a few days or it's no longer any good. Even if you don't use it it will be useless after a couple of years.

Before buying it online try asking around at your local auto paint suppliers. My local paint store has it for $20.80 which is less than most (or all) online shops.

http://www.eastwood.com/spray-max-epoxy-primer-aerosol.html?utm_content=50771%20Z&utm_campaign=GoogleSean02&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Merchant-Centre&SRCCODE=1SE0756

[greenpigs]

 

Thanks for the tips everyone!

[Patronus]

I would start with 220g paper or even 320g if you're not doing major block sanding. 

[greenpigs]

I wasn't so sure and yeah 180 is a little rough when your just top coating it. So I think some 220 grit would be a better choice.