Hey all, coming back to the well for more information and best practices! You guys and gals have been amazing imparting knowledge on a newbie and I really appreciate it!! I am using U-Tech line of products. I sprayed a couple coats of epoxy, did some filler and body work. Then I sprayed 6 coats of high build primer, sanded with 220 after 2 coats, 400 after 4 coats, and will wet sand with 600 grit here in the next week to finish it. After that can I know I need to use sealer but that’s where I am confused. U-Tech sells a sealer, but I was looking over the TDS for the Epoxy and it says it can be used as a Sealer. But, it’s also a DTM…. So can I use it as a sealer or am I better served going to buy the sealer in their line? I’m confused because the TDS says it’s a “wet on wet” sealer… I will add a pic of the TDS, thanks!!!
I use U-Tech 8100 high build primer. I dry block first and finish with wet 600. I do not seal. Not over primer. I see no need for it as long as there is no bare metal showing and you sanded with the correct grit. Works just fine. Been doing this for years and no problems. Been doing body and paint for 42 years.
I have not used that product but I have used Acme Finish 1 epoxy as a sealer per thier instructions. I think the only difference was in the mixing ratio. It laid out a lot smoother than it did as primer. One question is why are you using a sealer instead of painting directly to the primer?
I guess my thought process (first timer) is that primer is slightly porous, so I should put a sealer on top of that for a fresh full surface before top coat. If that’s wrong it wouldn’t surprise me haha, I can just wet sand and spray color?
No need to seal as long as no metal is showing..some will spray a tinted sealer to aid in coverage for certain colors..but not needed..go over that epoxy
I think the sealer habit comes from the old days of using lacquer primer to finish your work, then seal it. When we did this years ago, we ( I ? ) would seal it, then start shooting paint immediately. The sealer would lay down like shit, and make you think you were sanding for a month for nothing, but my teacher said the reducer in the paint sorta melts the lumpy sealer to flow out. sounds crazy, but thats how it was. I have also used epoxy primer for a sealer, thinned down with lacquer thinner so it flows nice, but thats an expensive extra step. Back to the original question, if you have been using a urethane 2 k primer there is no reason to seal it. I am no expert, criticism welcome
I only use sealer if there is more than one color on the car. Primer and old paint or two colors of primer. And that is only to assure the overall finish color looks the same. One color to cover, IMO no sealer needed. After all that is just one more opportunity for dust, insects or runs to happen. And at the worst possible stage.
The trans star stuff I used it said to thin it more with a reducer, then base color in the flash time window. clear next. Sand and buff later.
Sealer for me depends on a couple things. Bare metal—-that one is easy. Color of paint or primer. If I’m using a bright color paint, I prefer a bright color underneath it. I prefer white. Faster coverage. So I’ll seal to save coats of paint. Same for dark colors. Some modern colors are 4 stage. A tinted sealer is the first stage. Followed by color, mid coat, then clear. Another reason is multiple colors or primers. Say you have different color primers. A dark epoxy may be showing through lighter primers. This can come back to haunt you on colors with poor coverage. Cheaper paints generally contain less pigments (color). A tinted sealer will save a few coats of paint and help it cover better.
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