8valve

I have painted all my restored vehicles for 40 years including 4 Vettes. But now I am faced with a issue I have never dealt with.

I bought a 73 that I am now restoring. The previous owner started to strip the car. On the front fenders he sanded thru the gel coat and fiberglass is exposed. You can lay your arm on the fenders and feel the fiberglass itch your skin. What is the proper way to cover the fiberglass and get a good substrate for 2K and finally Base/Clear.

Many Thanks
8Valve

porchdog

epoxy primer.

8valve

Thank you, we seem to be thinking the same way. My thought was PPG Epoxy Primer, 2 coats. Then PPG 2K high build primer, finally base/clear.
Do you agree ?

8Valve

markids77

I used all epoxy on my 1977. It was expensive, but I needn't worry about multiple products becoming unhappy with each other over the years. BTW, there was no gelcoat on your 73 from the factory, just primer and color... no clear.

porchdog

spi epoxy is sandable. it is all i use for primer . the ppg epoxy is not as good as it use to be.

8valve

Ok, thanks for the info

8Valve

tjhphoto

For the next step: would you do bondo work before or after the primer?

zwede

Some say before, some say after. Both have resulted in good looking paint jobs.

markids77

My answer to that is "yes". You'll likely have some major repair that is quite obvious before you seal, and some smaller repairs that become evident after you start the blocking process. Go with the flow, and both ways are "OK".