A Chart showing the benefits of Epoxy vs. Etch primer?

['68 Coronet R/T]

The debate goes on and on over which is the "better" product to apply direct to metal. (Personally I am sold on Epoxy so don't panic.) So I was wondering if anyone has found or put together a Comparison Chart showing the Pros and Cons of both products?

 

[shine]

as long as there are people spouting bad advice on sites it makes no difference . there are some who recommend spi over acid regularly even after barry telling them not to. i have come to the conclusion any pro trying to help on most any site is just asking for it. thank god it does not happen here. ever notice those guys never post here ?

 

[Barry]

With the new Voc law unless the product is changed, not so sure they will even be able to get it, if changed to meet the law it will be more useless yet.

Here again, just have not really paid any attention to what is happening in this area.

 

[Dutchman]

Received a call yesterday for some epoxy, seems his jobber dosen't carry the SW epoxy anymore. Add one more customer.

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

There's only a few benifits to acid etch primer: it will adhere to unsanded steel, and it is fast for production type work. The drawbacks far outweigh the two benifits.

 

[Jim C]

i can tell you bob that the spi epoxy will bond like crazy to unsanded aluminum and steel. i shot quite a few pieces of smooth unsanded, shiny aluminum sheetmetal. after 3-4 days i could not scrape it off with a razorblade.

 

[sik_kreations]

the only time i use etch is for speed and ease of use.. also on chrome.. thats it. ive only been using sikkens etch wipes since a good sprayable etch in california is illegal as shit. so basically small spots and chrome bumpers and parts.. any large bare metal areas get epoxy. just a different tool in the bag of tricks.

epoxy is def. not fast and ive had areas shrink and bullseye from more then likely slow curing epoxy in colder temps. temps are probably to blame.. so it those instances i need more of a faster for sure thing.

 

[Jim C]

hey sik, on your chrome stuff, epoxy will be a much better choice and have better adhesion on that. the acid in etch primer wont etch the chrome anyway so it ends up being like your shooting lacquer primer over polished metal. how do you like those sikkens wipes? i have used them here in the shop and did some testing with compatibility with the epoxy and they really work fantastic. around here the 100% humidity in the summer makes metal rust in minutes. those keep that from happening.

 

[sik_kreations]

hey sik, on your chrome stuff, epoxy will be a much better choice and have better adhesion on that. the acid in etch primer wont etch the chrome anyway so it ends up being like your shooting lacquer primer over polished metal. how do you like those sikkens wipes? i have used them here in the shop and did some testing with compatibility with the epoxy and they really work fantastic. around here the 100% humidity in the summer makes metal rust in minutes. those keep that from happening.

again.. only using the etch wipes on chrome.. they work good as shit.. painted a chrome bumper.. truck got rear ended.. bumper was fucked off.. paint stayed and i sanded it back and it feathered on the chrome without flaking.. this was only the etch wipe.. sealer and paint over 80 grit.. all wet on wet. im sold. also done a handful of harley bagger latches.. held up alot better then adpro and sealer which seems to be the commone method around socal with bike painters.. dont know y.

now on the flip side... ive done a few full primer jobs on blasted cars.. only got epoxy.. so im not one sided on products. like i always say.. tools in the bag of tricks.

 

[Jim C]

ahhh...misunderstood, thought you were spraying self etching primer on chrome. what i have been doing for chrome and it works great is i have this glass blast media that is so fine you would think it was baby powder. for small parts i put it in a handheld spot blaster. the stuff just takes the shine off the chrome so its satin. i spray 1 sealer coat of epoxy on it and its ready to go. makes a bulletproof base to paint on. adpro on chrome works but adhesion really sucks. i have not tried the wipes on chrome at all. this glass stuff works great to prep hard to get into areas as well. it just cleans the paint and takes the shine off without stripping or leaving any texture. its like spray on sandpaper. i deglossed and prepped a complete firewall and engine bay awhile back in 3 minutes flat. that would have taken me 3 hrs with a scotchbrite pad and it wouldn't have gotten it as good.