need primer advice

[1968aj]

I am trying to find OMNI MP282. I have checked local auto parts and the local ppg store. nobody stocks it. I know there has to be some in a city like Houston.

[1968aj]

anybody use SPEEDKOTE primer? its $75 for a gallon

[1968aj]

after calling 5 different paint stores and auto parts I could only find one supplier with Omni mp282. they had one gallon at $150. anyway I ordered the speed-kote off ebay for$75 with hardner. soon as it gets here I will post pictures of my progress.

[hugger6933]

Wow! that is crazy money I think. I will check what I pay for it but that is more along the line of what the DPLF 90 cost, but that is neither here nor there. I guess it only benefits my customers and since I'm in the middle of nowhere I don't have many of those.

[CC69Rat]

Jim - have you ever shot any of the Epoxy or 2k from Southern Polyurethanes? I really like them both and they're as cheap as the Omni / Shop line stuff.

[hugger6933]

No, Chad I've only used The epoxies from PPG the DPLF [40 50 and 90] and Omni MP175 MP172 [again different colors] and the high build MP282. I am very brand loyal although I 'd be willing to try the others I like the fact that the stuff I use is only a 25 min car ride away.

[1968aj]

My high build primer should be here tomorrow. Today iwill be sanding and masking truck. I am looking on ebay at tcp paint and have narrowed it down to 3 different colors. They offer lacquer---urethane----enamel paint. What would be the best for a beginner to use?

[hugger6933]

I always suggest a BC/CC type paint. You can be going along [in the base coat portion mind you] and make a mistake say bump something or stump your toe and spray a big blob in one spot and start a run. You can with BC/CC stop wait fifteen or so min and sand it out then keep going, now if your in lacquer land you can do same thing but you are just in 1982. Now if using Enamel you stop clean your gun before it turns into a brick then go home for the day cause that paint has a while to go to be dry. I think the BC/CC is the easiest to apply that is all, my opinion.

[1968aj]

made some progress. got most of truck sanded or scuffed. used some medium grit sanding sponge. bought a bunch of them a while back and needed to use them on something. hope this will hold the high build primer because it sure feels slick.

[1968aj]

I plan to spray the high build today If the rain holds off. I have sanded the epoxy . since it has been over a month since I put the epoxy on should I spray it with epoxy again? I have a bunch of epoxy left. I got some new bare metal bed strips that I plan to paint same color as truck. should I coat them with epoxy and high build or just one type of primer. anytips are appreciated. THANKS

[hugger6933]

If it has been that long one good coat of epoxy before high build. Yes on both for the bare metal bed strips. Wipe them down with lacquer thinner then spray epoxy 2 coats then 2 coats of high build. Why not make the bottom look as slick as the top? On my builds I plan on finishing the bottom side just as the top.

[1968aj]

got a late start because it was supposed to rain. only got bed done today. put two good coats of high build. I guess I will put another coat of epoxy on cab tomorrow then the high build.my cheap harbor freight gun worked pretty good

[1968aj]

the bed went smooth so I started on cab. sprayed it with another coat of epoxy. they everything went wrong. as I was spraying high build the primer clogged up the gun. think I mixed it wrong. now my truck looks like a zebra half black and half grey. tried to clean gun out and then it began to rain. supposed to rain for next two days so I will regroup and start over. gun was so messed up I just went and bought a new one. they are on sale for $9.99. I will post some pictures when rain stops.

[1968aj]

finally got it all primed and ready for sanding. I know you guys that do this all the time its no big deal but to a rookie it feels like I am getting somewhere. wanted to paint one for a long time but did not want to screw my truck up.HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT SANDING AND START PAINTING? I WANT TO PAINT IT BLUE WITH A WHITE TOP. SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND PAINT TOP BLUE WHILE I AM PAINTING AND COME BACK WITH WHITE? THANKS

[jwilson645]

I'm not a pro painter but I've always seen it done with the light color first then mask it off and lay down the darker one. Less masking that way than if you did blue first and then the white because you'd have to mask the whole truck instead of just the top.

[CC69Rat]

The goal now is to 'get it flat'

How much primer is on it? How many coats of the high build ? How much do you have to sand before it's gone?

Here's where having two colors of primer can help you.

You want to get about an 18 or 24 " long block. I use Durablocks. Sandpaper can be purchased in a roll.. it's normally refered to as PSA (or sticky back.. pressure sensitive adhesive) what I'd suggest is the initial blocking at 320 grit.

Take your 24" block and 320 PSA and sand ..let's say a fender. Starting in the upper left and pull down and across it at a 45' degree angle. NOT in straight lines.. you will sand lines into the primer and it will be seen later on. Smaller areas reguire smaller blocks. Paint stir sticks from Lowes or Home Depot work nicely.

Again don't sand all your primer off. Just knock it down good and flat. The next blocking I'd do 400. Some people don't like to wet sand .. but I do (because the Epoxy is underneath it)
Same idea.. just slicker.

Now, if you're going with a metallic blue you'll want to block the whole truck again with 500. The reason being the metallic will settle into the 400 scratches and you will see it in the paint. 500 will help.. I personally wouldn't suggest metallic for your first all over job. I'd do a nice blue non metallic.

Have fun ! Watch the body lines closely you can blow through your primer pretty easily.

[hugger6933]

Dang Chad it sounds like I posted your last postGood advice. Piant the white base then tape up the roof paint the blue then clear all at once. That leaves less tape lines that way. Also that is the smallest area to paint and to tape. Jim

[raggedjim]

Glad to see you sticking with it. It takes guts and determination.

One thing though, as easy as it is to do, I'd remove the door handles, marker lights, etc. before you paint. You will get much better results.

Good luck, Rg

[1968aj]

I thought of painting the roof same as truck in case I wanted to stay with one color. looking for alight or medium blue non metallic.going for sanding supplies in morning.

[1968aj]

I forgot to add idid 2 coats of epoxy . theen I scuffed it and did 1 more coat of epoxy because I waited too long. next I did one coat of high build. got delayed by rain . then I scuffed it again and finished with 2 coats of high build.

[1968aj]

this is where I am now. sanded with 220 then 320. went to 2 paint supply stores and neither one stocks 400.DO I NEED TO RECOAT AGAIN TO COVER THE BLACK EPOXY? JUST WHERE BLACK IS SHOWING OR ENTIRE TRUCK? RAN OUT OF HIGH BUILD WHAT SHOULD I USE? ANY IDEAS?

[hugger6933]

Your doing too much sanding if you have sanded through 3 coats of high build. You need not take it all back off, Just make the panels flat and sand out the orange peel that may have been sprayed on. put some high build on it if you can't find 400 get some 600 and block it slightly then paint it.

[1968aj]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Your doing too much sanding if you have sanded through 3 coats of high build. You need not take it all back off, Just make the panels flat and sand out the orange peel that may have been sprayed on. put some high build on it if you can't find 400 get some 600 and block it slightly then paint it.

THANKS again for helping me through this.it sanded off too easy it seemed. finally found a OREILEYS that has more paintsupplies than the one near me. they even mix paint. I will get a small can of high build and blend it in may get to paint it this week.

[j_cst_10]

Subscribed. This is an excellent post for someone like me who has always had plans of doing this but haven't yet.

Excellent advice and good job posting pics of the progress.

[1968aj]

I will post progress. got delayed by weather and ran out of primer. got some more primer in and will be back at it this week.