epoxy primer question

[DATEC]

I am currently doing a complete resurrection of a 2000 Dodge diesel duelie including a new factory frame.

I have red scotch padded the frame and sprayed 1gallon of epoxy (2 gal sprayable) with a 1.8tip gravity fed primer gun reducing the pressure and the fan pattern to get the most material on the frame without a large amount of over spray.

I knocked off the excess weld spatter from the factory welds so they didn't fall off overtime exposing raw metal. I mixed the complete gallon kit in a 3gal bucket to induce for 30min while I wiped down the frame with SPI waterborne wax and grease.

I allowed 30min between coats and it took me 5hrs to spray the entire 2gal covering every side of the frame from top to bottom. I had the frame on 2 horses 3ft off the floor. I have at least 6 heavy coats of epoxy on ( I lost count).

It has been sitting inside for a week to get good and dry before I moved it outside while the rest is being worked on.

I moved it yesterday and when I put a nylon strap around it to pick up one side with my front loader and put my trailer under it. I found that the nylon strap dented the epoxy from the pressure of the weight. It is now outside to bake in the sunlight.

My question is should the epoxy have dented? I don't know how much of a mil thickness I ended up with but it is thick. I know the sunlight will be best for the drying process. It did not go all the way down to the factory e-coat but it did dent.

I have been doing bodywork longer then I care to remember. PPG's DP epoxy was the best in the day but SPI has taken their spot no doubt and the entire job will be done with nothing but SPI (everything). For those using SPI paint I suggest you use everything SPI and not mix another product into their paint or primer even if you can, because that way you don't second guess what went wrong and you in the end are better off helping the little guy (no offense to SPI) who are always there to assist with your questions and needs, try getting that from the guys especially after hours or the weekend. So support SPI by using their products completely every sale no matter how small helps IMO.

Dave

 

[Barry]

Should the epoxy have dented? With that many coats and a 1.8 gun, I say yes and it does not really concern me as the setting inside, I'm sure protected it from breaking adhesion.
Full cure on epoxy under normal use would be 60-120 days for 100% and all we can do is guess at that as there are so many other factors involved.
Personally the dent can be filled or fixed easily and I like the amount you put on the frame for protection.

 

[DATEC]

Should the epoxy have dented? With that many coats and a 1.8 gun, I say yes and it does not really concern me as the setting inside, I'm sure protected it from breaking adhesion.
Full cure on epoxy under normal use would be 60-120 days for 100% and all we can do is guess at that as there are so many other factors involved.
Personally the dent can be filled or fixed easily and I like the amount you put on the frame for protection.

Thanks for the reply Barry. The dent in the epoxy dosent coincern me so long as it wont pose a problem or I will take the spot down and recoat it. it is not in an area that will ever be seen ever (by the rear leaf spring mount under the flat bed).

This is a 4x4 work truck that has just 30k miles on it and to replace it would be not a good choice given a new replacement trucks cost and other "New" diesel truck issues. I'm just making sure that when it is done the rust issues should be all addressed.

I just finished prepping the "Rust Free" Southern doors (small dents/pings) and will be calling ya tomarrow for more Epoxy and Black base. The repairs were small enough that I didn't have to break thru the factory primer (Dodge has some Real thick primer material) which ia a PITA to feather back so I scuffed with 80grt and repaired with Icing. I will also be sanding and flooding the inside door shell bottom with Epoxy as they are prone to the dredded "rust-out".

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

That truck is going to last a long time! The rocker panels are real corrosion hotspots on that model in this area, pay close attention to lower seams. A good wax based spray on the inside helps a ton.