I am getting ready to paint my project. I will be using a single stage system. Epoxy primer and acrylic enamel. How many coats do you suggest? How do I finish it off? What are things I should be aware of and watch for? Any advice would be helpful.
Epoxy primer goes obver bare metal you should follow that with a high-build urethane sanding primer 3 coats.Why are you using AE? Thats yesterdays technology go with a urethane single stage like PPG Concept.My .02 cents.
You're right, AE (as well as AL) is yesterday's technology but that's the whole point, keeping the ride O.G. Why go thru all the trouble of finding (and paying premium prices) O.G. car parts and then paint the ride with Urethane?
They're BOTH enamels and pretty much have the same look. Uro will be a tougher finish. AE isn't bad, though, as long as it's catalyzed. You really want it to look "correct" for a GM or custom painted car, you want lacquer. NOT enamel!
Not gonna knock enamel... But a nice urethane will last longer, rub out better, have a deeper look...but many folks use it in the fleet world still. Like Chopolds said if you want "og" get some lacquer, spray the snot out of it, wet sand till your arms fall off, and gets one Super Duty compound and the meatiest wool pad you can find. Doesn't OG mean original gangster? I still wonder why people use that term talking about cars and parts
Don't make the mistake of putting on a heavy first coat. Seen lots of rookies do that. Even after I tell them.
Just a tip, I've been in the body business for 40 years, and what ever you choose, enamel or urethane, go with a complete system. If you like PPG, find a jobber who can show you the proper system for the topcoat you choose. We never spray a PPG product such as primer, then Dupont sealer, then put a PPG topcoat, or any brand mixture. Once you have picked your topcoat the manufacture of that topcoat will give you a list of compatible sealers, surfacers, epoxy primers. If you stay with one brand and follow the proper steps, you can avoid problems.
I would suggest 1st line products, catalyze the AE, and spray 2-3 full wet coats. This should give you enough to color sand and buff if you choose. By the way, I could only get the color I wanted from PPG in base/clear or Delstar.
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