Gray epoxy as single stage

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jeffcamarobaby

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Any thoughts on using gray epoxy primer for color coat for lower section of two tone paint on 68 Camaro project.
The project is a plain Jane 20 yr rebuild after semi professional paint job in 2003 - that paint is still solid - at least on top surfaces and garaged all the time.
Four years ago I disassembled and put on rotisserie to spi black epoxy bottom and modified quarters for wider shoes for pro-tour stance.
Since then car was on road for debugging mechanical side for year or so and time to make bottom half eye friendly. Project is a driver and weekend fun package so not looking for show only finish. Panels all fit and match flat to within 1/16 with yardstick. First thought (actually second or third thought) I'm thinking silver or gray lower would contrast existing dark cherry upper and that single stage will be good. But silver colors have too much metallic thus needing clear coat.
So this is my plan. Car on stands. #80 lower all over, 2 coats gray epoxy, filler work as needed. Then 2 coats gray epoxy and block flat with one coat of gray as final coat.
I'm thinking that the lower doesn't need to shine and epoxy should be solid enough for road time in sun. Any suggestions are welcome.
 
Several years ago Ford come out with a gray that can be used. I don't remember the code. Some of the new colors on chrysler cars are a close shade to the grey also..
 
jeffcamarobaby said:
Any thoughts on using gray epoxy primer for color coat for lower section of two tone paint on 68 Camaro project.
The project is a plain Jane 20 yr rebuild after semi professional paint job in 2003 - that paint is still solid - at least on top surfaces and garaged all the time.
Four years ago I disassembled and put on rotisserie to spi black epoxy bottom and modified quarters for wider shoes for pro-tour stance.
Since then car was on road for debugging mechanical side for year or so and time to make bottom half eye friendly. Project is a driver and weekend fun package so not looking for show only finish. Panels all fit and match flat to within 1/16 with yardstick. First thought (actually second or third thought) I'm thinking silver or gray lower would contrast existing dark cherry upper and that single stage will be good. But silver colors have too much metallic thus needing clear coat.
So this is my plan. Car on stands. #80 lower all over, 2 coats gray epoxy, filler work as needed. Then 2 coats gray epoxy and block flat with one coat of gray as final coat.
I'm thinking that the lower doesn't need to shine and epoxy should be solid enough for road time in sun. Any suggestions are welcome.
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Your plan will be fine, except after final blocking, I would give it 2 or 3 coats of epoxy as blocking could take almost all of the primer off in the high areas, leaving you with only the thickness you apply after that.
 
elwood said:
Several years ago Ford come out with a gray that can be used. I don't remember the code. Some of the new colors on chrysler cars are a close shade to the grey also..
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Thanks. Thought about that and or having color mixed at paint store. Figured primer may be tougher while reducing cost. Plus leaving option for future.
 
RenewAP said:
Your plan will be fine, except after final blocking, I would give it 2 or 3 coats of epoxy as blocking could take almost all of the primer off in the high areas, leaving you with only the thickness you apply after that.
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Yeah. Probably good idea. I presume I can tint with white epoxy primer to get color desired. Thx for thought.
 
theastronaut said:
Epoxy scratches easily (that's why it sands well) and I don't think grey holds up to UV like black epoxy does? Single stage would hold up much better long term.
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+1 There are plenty of non metallic grey single stage formulas available. Aside from what Astro mentioned, aesthetically it's going to look off with epoxy there. Personally I don't know how any grey is going to look appropriate on the rockers of a blue car, but obviously that's your choice.
 
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another thing to note is that grey epoxy will become more and more yellowish overt time. the grey you have the day you spray it is not what it will be a year from now....uv exposure or not. its all due to the activator. with grey its not as noticeable as in white but you'll still see it.
 
The gray epoxy does not have any UV activators so wouldn’t be a good stable long term final finish for an exterior.
 
Thx all for your experienced thoughts. Just prepping now so more thinking is probably required. Playing around with different colors for two tone. See pic. Looking for black cherry to contrast darker rather than lighter.
 

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