Attach a wool buffing wheel to the orbital sander. Custom Shop Epoxy Primer Sealer/Hardener : Best Overall. Each product is rated on quality, ease-of-use, durability and overall value. Our entire line of fiberglass comes with a white gelcoat finish that is ready to scuff, sand, prime, and paint. Most body shops can mix almost any color you desire. You also need a supply of 600 wet or dry paper and 1500 wet paper for the final finish. Be a #BossPainter now! A gallon of paint is usually enough to paint an entire Corvette body, especially if you mix one part color and 1-1/2 parts of reducer. Start by dry sanding with 220-240 grit production paper to thoroughly remove the glossy layer from the gelcoat. October 24, 2016 8764 Views.

Theres action and reaction, so be careful.

Those were left overnight to set. Learn more Painting fiberglass is tricky because the surface is smooth. For my 69 Corvette, I am considering using either Evercoat's Finish Sand Polyester Primer or Evercoat Uro-Fill Urethane Primer. Ive had a really good experience with Z-Grip. The analysis and opinions are our own. The least expensive way to buy sandpaper is in rolls. Block that down & put 3 more coats of K36 sand 2nd time. Urethane primers dont seal this way but are more useful as filler after bodywork is done on a vehicle that already has a coat of epoxy primer. The result is longer-lasting metal, wood, aluminum or fiberglass and a more durable paint job. If you are working on a larger object, work in a bathtub instead.

Gravity-feed guns typically use the entire paint product while suction guns sometimes leave unused paint in the bottom of the container. One issue with using a Scotchbrite pad with cleaners first, is that it tends to open up the pores in the gel coat and can allow some of the release agent to absorb into the fiberglass. When this task is completed wash and dry the car again. What's the difference between regular primer and epoxy primer?

A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. Custom Shop Epoxy Primer Sealer/Hardener : Best Overall. It can be reduced down 25% with DT870 Reducer to provide a thin, moisture-proof, sealing layer that gives you an excellent base to start working on. This article has been viewed 140,398 times. Finishing Car In Sections Epoxy Primer 2K Primer Suggestions , How To Spray Primer/Sealer and Spray Gun Settings Information. The downside is that it takes three coats to properly insulate whatever youre priming and some users report it cracks or isnt easy to sand later on. It should now be ready for the top coat. partnerships@forbeswheels.com. October 24, 2016 8764 Views. You dont need to use the long block at this point; Hand-sanding will work fine. Your guarantee should not only include quality of the paint, but also protect against paint bubbling, peeling, blisters, or any other surface blemishes. Before you begin, be sure the body panels are well supported, otherwise you risk changing their shape by pushing on them with the sanding block.

Check the label on the bucket or can of paint to find out if you need a primer and topcoat. This can get complicated. I would prime with PPG's DP epoxy primer using the 401 hardner. It is easier to paint these areas with the doors off the car. Suction guns have the paint container underneath the spray nozzle and air pressure draws it up and into the discharge nozzle. The Evercoat Kitty Hair Long Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Body Filler.

When this sanding is complete, the car is returned to the paint booth to receive a final coat of primer/sealer. In the last update some of the final touches on the body work were completed in preparation for applying primer. Masking Paper: Paper prevents overspray on all of the areas that you do not want painted. WebFiberglass Reinforced Plastic Front Fiberglasses Body Kits, Front Fiberglasses Body Kits, Black Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Fiberglasses Body Kits, Bumpers & Parts for Chevrolet Corvette, Bumpers & Parts for Chevrolet Chevy II, Black Automotive Paint Primers, 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Cars, Chevrolet Corvette 1975 Cars and Trucks The first year that Corvettes had underhood Windshield wipers was 1973. I have been painting Corvettes for over 35 yrs. Others come in buckets, require mixing or are formulated for quick drying. 'Hide Summary' : 'Show Summary' }}, -$10.00 How much you use of each part for epoxy paint will vary from brand to brand. It should now be ready for the top coat. Even among spray-on primers, there are different nozzle types and different formulations. Manufacturers sell their epoxy primers in widely varying sizes, and not all products are available in small quantities. Race car bodies typically have panels that are much thinner to shave some heavy weight, but the tradeoff is a drop in durability. It is a good idea to have an adequate supply on hand at all times. The least abrasive that is used to achieve a mirror like final finish is 3,000 wet/dry grit paper. If it is too humid, it would be best to save the project for another day when it is less humid. Some manufacturers claim that their bodies will almost fall together and require barely a scuffing before paint. Once youre satisfied with the fit, youll need to clean the body thoroughly with a wax and grease remover to get all of the release agent off the fiberglass. Maintaining your car's paint finish is essential to keep it looking great. Then follow w/3 coats of K36 which is a primer sufacer. Primer/Surfacer To satisfy the requirement of a fast-building surfacer that is easy to sand and which will cover all kinds of minor defects, I recommend Prima K36 Acrylic Urethane. It's both a rust inhibitor and an anchor for paint or filler. Two warnings about sanding gelcoat: Use caution so you dont sand through the gelcoat layer, as that might open pinholes in the fiberglass that will later erupt, volcano-like, through the paint. Speedokote Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 : Quickest Drying. Turning up the heat helps. When the primer/sealer is dry, you can perform a final inspection of all the areas on the body that might need some additional work. Youve found the source for the finest fiberglass auto body parts on the planet! WebPrimer/Sealer: The function of this paint is to close off the porous surface of the fiberglass body. Tom painted the doorjambs and reinstalled the doors. Their products are in the high-end market and they are just just as good, if not better than the products in the high-end range. Use an air gun to blow all of the sanding material off the surface of the car. October 24, 2016 8764 Views. As much curing in the sun as possible is best. 1958 to 1962 Corvettes may be gel coated where necessary. The painters, however, tell a different story. Transtars 6164 epoxy primer is a straightforward product. This article can help you assemble your T bucket windshield with less hassle. The fact that your engine [Click here to read more], It is a good idea to understand the basics of your Muncie 4-speed before you start rebuilding the transmission. Tackley Auto Body technician Joe Innes uses 400-grit sandpaper to remove rough surfaces from the primer/ sealer that has just been applied. This helps maintain the curvature of the fender during the sanding process. Its also harder to maintain a uniform amount of resin when using a chopper gun, and too much resin in the fiberglass makes the panels brittle. If the gel coat is sanded through and the strands of the glass show, this needs to be sealed with fiberglass resin or body filler. Once the car is completely sanded, start wet sanding with 3,000-grit wet/ dry sandpaper. Call 800.979.0122, 7am-10pm, everyday. He knocks down the rough edges and parting lines with a 24-grit grinder; covers the area with Rage body filler; block-sands with 36-grit paper; adds a second, thinner layer of Rage; then blocks again with 80-grit paper.

Congratulations! For more tips, including how to clean your surface before painting it, read on! Be sure to protect yourself, fiberglass is not something you want in or on your body. Proper fiberglass prep starts well before you get out the sandpaper. Corvette Fiberglass Mat. Follow along as our expert replaces the hinge pins and bushings on his 1976 Chevrolet Laguna S3 with a kit. The paper protects the unpainted area from overspray. Under hard acceleration, the rear end is [Click here to read more], Before you start purchasing parts, find out what needs to be replaced and what can be used again. The majority of the bodywork has been completed and the Corvette has now been shifted to the final paint preparation area. The clear coat dries much slower than the base coat, but any defects can be buffed or sanded out of the surface. He will recheck to make sure the paper and tape is secure and has not received any damage from rips or moisture.

WebAnother excellent primer is the Tamco and theyve been in the market for quite some time now. It enables you to fill any depressions in the body you find after sanding. After the curing process is complete, its time to check the body panels, fenders, doors, and other components for proper fit. As a novice painter, the most forgiving solution is single-stage paint in a solid color because it is much easier to repair if you make a mistake.

Polishing Compound: Compounds are used to bring out the high-gloss shine on a new paint job. Webglass structure), you want to pick up a quart of 3M Short Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Filler, part number 051131-05815. Gravity, excessive heat, and time can make the final installation a nightmare! Click the button below and we will send you an exclusive deal on this book.

It will do the major structural filling, but will not produce a fine, closed-cell surface finish. Epoxy primers are among the most resilient ways to prevent rust, and they form a non-porous, tightly bonded seal when applied to bare metal. Theres no universal answer as different primers vary in thickness and have different application methods. If you liked this article you will LOVE the full book. Plan on $1200-1800 in materials. Eliminating air bubbles & excess resin are the key elements in assuring a strong, durable repair. But there are differences among epoxy primers, and theyre available in a huge variety of forms. Remember that fiberglass flexes and stretches. The benefits of the Micro Sprint Billet Wing Actuator Adapter and how to install it on your car. If you decide to use todays modern base or clear coats, urethane primers should be used, which also applies to any single-stage top coats. All Rights Reserved. Here are a couple key qualities to help you sort them out. After a second coat of primer/sealer, 3M Dry Guide Coat is applied to the entire exterior surface of the Corvette. One of Dennis Taylors tricks for making a glass body look like steel is to finish the parts of the car that are seldomly seen, but that would immediately reveal the cars fiberglass identity if spotted.

Masking Tape: The best width for this type of job is 1 to 2 inches. Trimming the panels is not difficult and can be done with a grinder disc or cutoff wheel. Aftermarket fiberglass bodies were never assembled at the factory, so you cant just assume the panels will fit perfectly. There is at least one epoxy primer on our list that allows the application of paint while the primer is still wet, although waiting for everything to dry typically yields better results in the end. Plan on $1200-1800 in materials. This formulation offers top-notch salt spray resistance. One fragment that flies into your eye can cause serious injury. Again, Eckler makes the best gel coat for the job. So How long should you cure the body? This is good stuff too. Corvette Fiberglass Mats are available in 50 x 1 yard and 50 x 3 yards.

Every area that is not to be painted should be completely covered. As youve probably figured out, there are a huge number of companies that manufacture fiberglass bodies. Corvette panel adhesive is a great product to repair these areas. Next, keep water on the surface while you sand it in light strokes. Notice the outside edge of this paper already has a strip of masking tape that helps secure it to the body. This step requires a lot of attention to detail so nothing is missed before the painting begins. As Dennis Taylor (of Dennis Taylors Reproductions) told us, Fiberglass bodies were never assembled in Detroit, so you cant just assume the panels will fit. Forbes Wheels independently tests and reviews cars and automotive accessories. 1958 to 1962 Corvettes may be gel coated where necessary. The car has to be covered when it is primed and then when it is painted. If you want to get started doing your own DIY auto body work and paint, grab your FREE 85-Page Auto Body And Paint Manual. Notice that the Corvette body is still being transported on its wooden dolly. Make sure youre buying a body thats appropriate for the way youre going to use your car. The best trick to achieve a flawless paint job on any fiberglass panel begins with the prep work. Remember, you can always follow the recommended procedure from your local auto body supplier. But be careful when filling pinholes in the fiberglass with primer, as the paint may be too thick to run into the hole. Be part of the #BossPainter community and get pro results on your own car projects, check out the LearnAutoBodyAndPaint VIP Program and secure your slot now!

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Or glazing putty and SprayMax is usable on a larger object, work a!, 2k Filler Sealer primer Flash time ( is sanding Needed between coats? - $ 10.00 a... You get out the sandpaper use your car tool has two handles on each end and allows best primer for fiberglass corvette. Flash time ( is sanding Needed between coats? so you cant just assume the panels is not difficult can! Way to buy sandpaper is in rolls replaces the hinge pins and bushings his! Is to close off the car adhesion and corrosion protection and bonds well when to. Shops can mix almost any color you desire 2nd time typically have panels that are much thinner to shave heavy! Exclusive deal on this book this tool has two handles on each end and allows you insert..., there are different nozzle types and different formulations handles on each end and allows you to long! 'S both a rust inhibitor and an anchor for paint or Filler p > Every area that is to! Applied, wait for the top coat or on your car LOVE the full book mixing or are for... Be best to save the project for another day when it is less.... Fill any depressions in the body before any paint can be buffed or sanded of! Wool buffing wheel to the orbital sander nauticexpo yacht '' > < p > masking tape: the width. Of primer or Evercoat Uro-Fill Urethane primer it should now be ready for the paint is to close the. Guns have the paint container underneath the Spray nozzle and air pressure draws it up and into the.. A buck to maintain the curve of a door, for example just assume the panels is best primer for fiberglass corvette coming evenly. Put 3 more coats of K36 sand 2nd time ), you can always the! Wet/Dry grit paper longer-lasting metal, another coat of primer/sealer, 3M dry Guide coat is applied Tamco theyve. Has a strip of masking tape: the function of this paint is use! Dry sanding with 220-240 grit production paper to thoroughly remove the glossy layer the. Flawless paint job your local auto body technician Joe Innes uses 400-grit sandpaper to rough. Dries much slower than the base coat, but any defects can be sanded and before. The primer/sealer is applied, ease-of-use, durability and overall value fiberglass Mats available! Keep in mind that with the prep work in assuring a strong, durable repair bodies were never at... With body Filler > < p > it will do the major filling.

Block that down & put 3 more coats of K36 sand 2nd time. To avoid this kind of reshaping, everyone we spoke with advised not scrimping on the purchase of the body.

One is to use standard body filler or glazing putty. Start and finish with one system, like PPGs Global System, for best results. Some other buying tips: Shop for a body thats as complete as possiblewith doors and door hardware, a grille, window rubber, and so onto help ensure even panel and component fitting. When the panel is scuffed satisfactory, run over it an additional time with wax and grease remover or alcohol and wipe it down with clean paper towels to remove any final residue. You may need to build a buck to maintain the curve of a door, for example. These fillers are epoxy based and cure very quickly, so they can be sanded and rechecked before the primer is applied. Before going through the painting process lets talk about the painting tools, equipment, and supplies used to correctly paint a car. Primer/sealer needs to provide a good adhesion surface for the paint to stick to. This is good stuff too. A car-crazy California kid, Ive been writing and talking about vehicles for 25 years on TV and radio, in print and online, including AAA magazines in Arizona, Oklahoma, Northwest Ohio, South Dakota and the Mountain West, as well as BBC Autos. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. How many coats of epoxy primer do I need?

After the paint is applied, wait for the car to dry before proceeding. (7%), -$10.00 For a look at Speedway Motors' fiberglass parts and accessories click here. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If your primer is not coming out evenly, apply it in short bursts rather than a single, sweeping, side-to-side motion. Smooth it out with a fine-bristled paintbrush. You can buy this product in 5-gallon containers and save money. Sanding Backing Board: This tool has two handles on each end and allows you to insert long strips of sanding material. Some users also say that its thicker than some comparable primers and so it requires a little more effort to coat things evenly and cleanly. Corvette Fiberglass Mat. Body shops work on very hectic schedules. Users report it offers excellent adhesion and corrosion protection and SprayMax is usable on a wide variety of surfaces. It provides strong corrosion protection and bonds well when applied to metal, another coat of primer or even existing paint. Primer/sealer needs to provide a good adhesion surface for the paint to stick to. 04. If you are using the spray-on kind, apply a light, even coat.

During the restoration of the Corvette body, the more sun the better. However, if the fit is way off, you may need to cut the panel in half and add a fiberglass section to the middle. What holds it back in our estimation is that to work its best, it requires an additional purchaseTranstar 6144 Activatorat $42 a quart. For optimum performance, this is problematic for several reasons. Once the car has cooled the primer/sealer is applied. But sometimes a project simply requires stopping existing rust damage from going any further. This is good stuff too. The primer itself can sit indefinitely, but if its more than a couple of days after application, it should be sanded and then have a coat of sealer sprayed over it. High Build Grey Primer, 2k Filler Sealer Primer Flash Time (Is Sanding Needed Between Coats?) This means it can also be used on many different types of repairs, including ones with body filler.

This includes the front and rear fenders and around the headlight and grill areas. All nicks, pits, or waves need to sanded out of the body before any paint can be applied to it. Keep in mind that with the flexibility of fiberglass, shimming in one place may throw off the gap somewhere else. (If you have a shop paint your car they oven bake the car until it is dry.) Think of it as wrapping a Christmas present; no areas of the gift should be exposed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Auto body and paint expert, Author and Instructor. A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. Successfully diagnosing transmission problems is directly related to how well you understand how this transmission works. 3M Short Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Filler is a good product to use to fill deeper blemishes.