Wait time between epoxy and basecoat.

5

540goat

I have my 72 Corvette with 2 coats of Featherfill over the whole car. I am going to block it with 220 this week and hope to get it in epoxy by the end of the week. I won't be able to get back to the car until the beginning of June. Then I was going to wetsand the car with 400 and apply the base and then clear. Can I leave the car in epoxy for the couple of weeks without any problems when I spray the base.
 
No i would spray your sealer coat of epoxy day before you base. Leave it in primer for now, or you will need to sand epoxy and recoat before base
 
I will leave it in primer then. I have been using the epoxy before basecoat without making it a sealer and then wet sanding it with the 400. I have been doing that for the last 10 years. One of your guys said i could do that years ago. I haven't had any problems. Thanks Barry.
 
You can but depends on so many things, I do that myself sometimes.
Big problem is how long it sets.
 
I’ve always spayed a wet coat of epoxy- sand with 400 in a couple days then basecoat - never had a problem - the only variation is if I’m gonna tape off for a stripe I will spray a reduced coat of epoxy before the basecoat for better adhesion
 
Sometimes I'll wait two days and just go over it with a gray 3M scuff pad, leaves it really smooth.
I'll use a red one if I'm going to prime it again.
 
I've read people spraying epoxy sealer coat and waiting anywhere from till it flashes (15-30 minutes) to waiting 2+ days, before base. Seams like a lot less work (no re-sanding) to spray base sooner than later. Any drawbacks to the shorter wait?
 
I've read people spraying epoxy sealer coat and waiting anywhere from till it flashes (15-30 minutes) to waiting 2+ days, before base. Seams like a lot less work (no re-sanding) to spray base sooner than later. Any drawbacks to the shorter wait?

Once you get past the 4 hour mark, NO!
There is no cut and dried answer on epoxy but I use to try and keep base being applied no longer than 24 hours and now after extensive testing I seem to be throwing out the 3 day deal with no sanding.
After 7 days I don't like base being applied even if sanded as base sticks different than a primer or more epoxy or a single stage.

I feel like a politician with all the answers i give on the epoxy and all answers will vary do to what facts I'm given.
I have though many times this would be the one subject that I may be better off not knowing the chemistry behind the epoxy and just give flat time frames.
 
Once you get past the 4 hour mark, NO!
There is no cut and dried answer on epoxy but I use to try and keep base being applied no longer than 24 hours and now after extensive testing I seem to be throwing out the 3 day deal with no sanding.
After 7 days I don't like base being applied even if sanded as base sticks different than a primer or more epoxy or a single stage.

I feel like a politician with all the answers i give on the epoxy and all answers will vary do to what facts I'm given.
I have though many times this would be the one subject that I may be better off not knowing the chemistry behind the epoxy and just give flat time frames.

Barry - I am having my 68 GMC cab blasted and I was planning on spraying two unreduced coats of epoxy on all surfaces immediately after. Obviously it won't be ready for paint for awhile, but there are areas which won't need any bodywork. So my question is, after 6 months of sitting in epoxy, can I wetsand with 400, spray one coat reduced epoxy, and then base/clear to those areas?
 
On Friday I applied 2 coats of epoxy. Over the weekend I am going to wetsand with 400 and then remask the car. On Monday I am hoping to put the base on it, if I can't do it Monday it will be Tuesday. I should be in that time window where I shouldn't have any problems.? I am sorry I am asking the same question but I want to get it right.
 
With the wetsanding and still in the open coat window, you're fine with your plan.
 
Thank you Barry. I don't know who was up earlier you or me. The times are way off. I must have posted at 5:30 am.
 
Funny you to talking about early morning times yet when I look at your posts it shows 10:28 am as the earliest one.


The times on there are wrong. In the east it is 8:06. So how can the time be later than that.
4 am is my normal time for an unnormal person. No alarm ever used.


I am usually up at 5. getting up at 5 and thinking about paint on my car is odd.
 
Test my theory for time test.

Lot of good a moment ago does i think it does not pick up daylight savings.
 
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