primer color question

[nickwisconsin]

I am new to painting autos. I was planning on painting a frame and undercarriage, engine compartment satin black urethane. I was planning black SPI epoxy primer. My rationale was that if I ever developed a superficial paint chip or scratch, that the epoxy primer under the paint is the same color and it would be less obvious. My buddy who has restored some cars says he prefers grey primer under black paints so he can see coverage. I get his point, but unless you have poor eyesight, wouldn't you see the coverage since the paint is wet when put down? TIA.

 

[FordforceOne]

For this I would use the Black under Black. The coverage will be good with 2 under coats. Unless you blatantly miss an area you should be able to see. Also use a light between coats to inspect the coverages.

 

[Dean Jenkins]

I'm with you on the black primer.
I was thinking the same as you, topcoat with black satin and then @Barry made a good case for leaving it in epoxy as topcoat.
It is more chip and chemical resistant than anything else.
Did it and glad I did.
Here is my engine compartment in black epoxy.

 

[rusty428cj]

All you need is SPI black epoxy will hold up better than paint. That is what I have been doing since 2005 in my shop.

 

[nickwisconsin]

Thanks for all of the input. I know that epoxy can get funky appearing over time with UV light exposure, but this is not in direct sunlight much. I think I read somewhere too that SPI epoxy had UV protection that was better than most epoxy primers. Am I remembering right?

 

[dhutton01]

Thanks for all of the input. I know that epoxy can get funky appearing over time with UV light exposure, but this is not in direct sunlight much. I think I read somewhere too that SPI epoxy had UV protection that was better than most epoxy primers. Am I remembering right?

Yes. It has a lot of UV protection.

 

[reallylongnickname]

I'm with you on the black primer.
I was thinking the same as you, topcoat with black satin and then @Barry made a good case for leaving it in epoxy as topcoat.
It is more chip and chemical resistant than anything else.
Did it and glad I did.
Here is my engine compartment in black epoxy.

View attachment 26266

So, same deal with the undercarriage, you'd leave it with black SPI epoxy primer only? If so, can the SPI epoxy primer be turned into a matte shine?

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

So, same deal with the undercarriage, you'd leave it with black SPI epoxy primer only? If so, can the SPI epoxy primer be turned into a matte shine?

If you spray it correctly it has a matte sheen to it already. No need for anything else sprayed over it or added. And it has UV inhibitors so if the sun hits it, it will last.

 

[Dean Jenkins]

So, same deal with the undercarriage, you'd leave it with black SPI epoxy primer only? If so, can the SPI epoxy primer be turned into a matte shine?

Here is what unreduced, well induced, epoxy looks like on the undercarriage and floor pan.

 

[reallylongnickname]

Sweet. Thx for posting those pics. Love this forum. Chalk full of good resourceful info, recommendation and sound experiences.

 

[Jims 66]

Here is what unreduced, well induced, epoxy looks like on the undercarriage and floor pan.

View attachment 26410

View attachment 26411

Dean, what to you mean by well induced? I have a 65 Malibu that I need to repair an inner wheelhouse on. I know it was done with SPI epoxy and the gloss looks to be the same as what you have pictured here.

 

[alex1970]

Dean, what to you mean by well induced? I have a 65 Malibu that I need to repair an inner wheelhouse on. I know it was done with SPI epoxy and the gloss looks to be the same as what you have pictured here.

I believe "Well induced" means you mix the epoxy and let it sit for more than the 30 minutes per the TDS. From what I understand you can let it sit 4 or 5 hours and it will perform better (adhesion? lays flatter?) If you spray directly after mixing it may not give enough time for the activator to chemically mix / react with the epoxy.