Epoxy prep and filler questions

MX442

MX442

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I'm trying to hurry up and get my truck frame painted before the weather gets too cold, and I only have this week available to get it done. I have a little bit of filler work to do over some weld seams. My plan was to spray one coat of epoxy. 24 hours later do the filler work, then spray two more coats.

First question, how long should I wait to spray epoxy after applying the filler? (Marson platinum)

Second, it has been 3 years since I last sprayed SPI epoxy. I just read the tech manual and it says to clean with waterborne 700 first, then use 710. I don't remember having to use the 710 in the past. I don't have time to get 710 and get this done. If I'm not spraying by Wednesday, I'm going to stop and wait until warmer weather next spring. Is using only the 700 waterborne no longer good enough?
 
I have been known to use only 700. Using 710 is to help the 700 evaporate and to add insurance against any type of contamination that the 700 isn't good at removing. If your panel hasn't been exposed to heavy contamination, you are probably OK. Just give the panels some time to breathe after the 710 has been wiped off. Temps this time of year are a concern, you must keep surface temps above 70 for the entire 24 hr cure time if you want to do filler work successfully the next day. Sometimes I use an infrared lamp the next day on spots that need attention to help the epoxy firm up. honestly, I have found 48 hrs to be more ideal at normal room temps, 24 hrs works better in hot weather.
 
Thanks! Is it OK to spray epoxy over the filler the same day?

I'm a day behind schedule, but I'm going to try and hammer it out. I finished blasting today. Going to spray the first coat tomorrow. Last night I checked the metal temps. At 10pm they were 68-70, and 7am varied between 63-68. I do have heaters, I should be able to hold it at about 70 overnight. And, the next few days should be warmer. I will try to get it out in the sun in the afternoon.

I think the metal is already fairly clean. It was power-washed and scrubbed with Dawn before I started working on it, and it was blasted today. Going out now to clean the dust and start wiping down with 700. If all goes well, I'll spray epoxy in the morning.
 
It's hard to see, but those pits where I welded are going to get filler. Maybe I should fill on bare metal, then 3 coats of epoxy? It's really not much filler.
 
It's OK to spray epoxy on sanded filler on the same day the filler is applied. Whether or not you do filler on metal or filler on epoxy has to do with how durable the part is expected to be, and under what conditions it will be used. If the part will be outside and subject to chipping, filler on epoxy is a good choice. If the part will be indoors, or not subject to chipping or scratching, there is not much point in going through the extra effort.
 
Crashtech, thanks for the help. One of these days I'm going to browse the wrecking yard in Wendell, will have to stop and get you a cold one for all the advice you give...

Time to call it quits, I've simply run out of time. Been thrashing on this project all summer to get it in epoxy by winter. I have some time off at the end of the month to try and get it done. If it is too cold, I can move it to my dad's heated shop to get the frame sprayed. Meanwhile, I'll order some 710.
 
I'm about 20 minutes from Wendell, if you're flyin' I'm buyin'!

So what exactly is that part in the pic? I may have missed part of a build thread...?
 
This project? :)


I was going to give an update here once I actually lay down some SPI. The short version is '57 Chevy truck, 5.3 4L60E, Camaro Gen 2 front clip, C4 Corvette rear end. Been working on it for a year and half. The Olds keeps getting pushed aside. :(

For the long version, the build thread is here:
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140507
 
Ah, I see. Nice project! I have some fond memories of riding around in the back of one of those as a kid. Definitely needs to be filler on epoxy...
 
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