best primer for fiberglass corvette

A gallon of paint is usually enough to paint an entire Corvette body, especially if you mix one part color and 1-1/2 parts of reducer. Cool. For partnership inquiries please reach out to us at This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Top 8 Primer & Sealer for Fiberglass Comparison: Types of Primers are Used to Prime & Paint Fiberglass: 8 Best Primer for Fiberglass Boat, Door & Car [Reviews of 2023]: 1# KILZ L211101 High-Bonding Interior Latex Primer: 2# Rust-Oleum 207014 Marine Wood & Fiberglass Primer: 3# Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive Sandable Primer: 4# TotalBoat Marine-supply stores may also sell the paints. This step requires a lot of attention to detail so nothing is missed before the painting begins. This 1/2 x 3 Fiberglass Mat Roller will help alleviate such problems & produce professional results. Whether you paint your car yourself or have a shop do the work, its a good idea to be familiar with the various tools of the trade. Soak this sandpaper in a bucket of water with some dish soap beforehand to soften it. Custom Shop Epoxy Primer Sealer/Hardener : Best Overall. This is good stuff too. There is at least one epoxy primer on our list that allows the application of paint while the primer is still wet, although waiting for everything to dry typically yields better results in the end. This is not to undermine the importance of having your Corvette in sound mechanical condition. Here, weve gathered five of the best epoxy primers on the market, all of which, when applied underneath new paint or undercoating, will help keep your vehicle corrosion-free for a very long time. It isnt a rust converter or inhibitor, so it can only insulate already deteriorated metal. primer. Rust-Oleum is a famous name in corrosion protection, and for very basic jobs, the companys automotive 2-in-1 filler and sandable primer provides a very low cost alternative to more conventional epoxy primers. WebThe final step is to gel coat the Corvette. Lacquer Thinner: You need to have a supply on hand to clean tools as well as the paint gun. Polyester primer is a very thick two-part product and is used when theres a good deal of bodywork. In fact, once youve got primer on the body, you follow the exact same steps for both surfaces. 1958 to 1962 Corvettes may be gel coated where necessary. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. I have been painting Corvettes for over 35 yrs. Coat the surface with 1 to 2 coats of primer. One of the first items to tackle was shaving the rear antenna. The least abrasive that is used to achieve a mirror like final finish is 3,000 wet/dry grit paper. The heat will also tighten up the glass, which can affect panel fit, so you dont want to do any trimming or shimming of panels when you assemble the body at this stage. Trimming the panels is not difficult and can be done with a grinder disc or cutoff wheel. Webglass structure), you want to pick up a quart of 3M Short Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Filler, part number 051131-05815. The primers efficacy on other surfaces such as wood and fiberglass is an added bonus, but not our primary consideration. If you liked this article you will LOVE the full book. Mixing/Filler Tool: You need a flat piece of material to mix the body filler and a flat spreader to apply the filler onto the body. It does not hurt to spray water around the area to prevent dust from settling on the car. If there are any gaps, the paint may seep underneath and give you a fuzzy line. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. Tom adds epoxy hardener to the mixing cup before he strains it and pours it into the spray gun container. When it is dry use a another tack cloth to make sure the surface is clean. Some recommend a sealer over the primer before the first coat of paint is applied. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It is important to have an adequate amount of these materials on hand as the job progresses. Speedokote Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 : Quickest Drying. Sometimes they cannot be reused so have plenty of spares on hand. Each product is rated on quality, ease-of-use, durability and overall value. Free shipping for many products! Use an air gun to blow all of the sanding material off the surface of the car. https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/How-to-Paint-Fiberglass, https://www.hunker.com/12001647/how-to-spray-paint-fiberglass, https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-paint-exterior-fiberglass-steps/. Set the topcoat aside for later. Plan on $1200-1800 in materials. Set the topcoat aside for later. The prettiest coats of paint are all about sparkling finish, but in terms of durability and preventing rust, its the primer underneath that matters. It can be reduced down 25% with DT870 Reducer to provide a thin, moisture-proof, sealing layer that gives you an excellent base to start working on. I have been painting Corvettes for over 35 yrs. It should now be ready for the top coat. Tom has taped and papered the rear window and gas tank filler. Click the button below and we will send you an exclusive deal on this book. October 24, 2016 8764 Views. Paper and Tape Stand: These stands hold the paper roll and tape so when you pull off a piece of paper, so you can roll the masking tape onto one side of the paper. They have good adhesive qualities and do not leave glue residue when they are removed. Run your fingernail across the edges of the tape to ensure a tight seal. You can buy this product in 5-gallon containers and save money. Most took the body apart and painted the parts separately. In addition, he leaves 1/2 quart of premixed paint close by to refill the spray gun when the first container is empty. 04. In a lot of ways, prepping glass is just like prepping metal. If you love this video, check out the LearnAutoBodyAndPaint VIP Program to get over 100 hours of training videos, e-reads and bonuses! Follow label directions and use judgement as to whether you need additional coats of primer. This 1/2 x 3 Fiberglass Mat Roller will help alleviate such problems & produce professional results. If you are keeping the same color, these areas need to be protected with tape and paper. Suction guns have the paint container underneath the spray nozzle and air pressure draws it up and into the discharge nozzle. This work should be done in a clean, dry area. Corvette panel adhesive is a great product to repair these areas. Once the car is completely sanded, start wet sanding with 3,000-grit wet/ dry sandpaper. However, I used chemical stripper designed for fiberglass and did Fiberglass Fillers: These are used during the paint preparation process, but you also need to use them to fill small nicks and bubbles that appear during the priming process. Those were left overnight to set. Spray Gun: Gravity-feed guns have the paint container on top of the spray nozzle and are usually preferred by professional painters. How much you use of each part for epoxy paint will vary from brand to brand. Just take care to cure, fit, and sand the raw panels properly, and youll have a finish you can be proud of. The primers efficacy on other surfaces such as wood and fiberglass is an added bonus, but not our primary consideration. The Evercoat Kitty Hair Long Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Body Filler. These fillers are epoxy based and cure very quickly, so they can be sanded and rechecked before the primer is applied. Again, Eckler makes the best gel coat for the job. Now it is time to begin taping all of the nooks and crannies. It also gives the paint a base on which to anchor. Some require special solvents. Any filler you use should be able to stretch with the car. The paper protects the unpainted area from overspray. Top 8 Primer & Sealer for Fiberglass Comparison: Types of Primers are Used to Prime & Paint Fiberglass: 8 Best Primer for Fiberglass Boat, Door & Car [Reviews of 2023]: 1# KILZ L211101 High-Bonding Interior Latex Primer: 2# Rust-Oleum 207014 Marine Wood & Fiberglass Primer: 3# Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive Sandable Primer: 4# TotalBoat Corvette Fiberglass Mat. This is accomplished by using a sponge applicator to apply the dry coat that is part of the 3M Dry Guide Coat product. If your primer is not coming out evenly, apply it in short bursts rather than a single, sweeping, side-to-side motion. 3M makes very good final polishing compounds. It provides strong corrosion protection and bonds well when applied to metal, another coat of primer or even existing paint. It helps eliminate the typical washboard surfaces that are common on Corvette fiberglass panels. Check the label on the bucket or can of paint to find out if you need a primer and topcoat. This kept the new fiberglass toasty warm while the resin hardened. Manufacturers sell their epoxy primers in widely varying sizes, and not all products are available in small quantities. After all, the performance, reliability, and longevity of your Chevy bigblock depend on it. Attach a 1,500-grit disc of sandpaper to a variable-speed orbital sander then switch to 2,500. One of the first items to tackle was shaving the rear antenna. About 112 quarts of primer/sealer completely covers a car. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Auto body and paint expert, Author and Instructor. It will do the major structural filling, but will not produce a fine, closed-cell surface finish. Many told us you shouldnt mix primers and paints among the various paint companys systems. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It is available in grey, black or white. After the taping is complete spray the car with a coat of primer/ sealer. It will do the major structural filling, but will not produce a fine, closed-cell surface finish. They have the legal right to hold your car until all payment disputes are settled. Any areas left glossy will not give the primer a tooth to bite into for adhesion. Be a #BossPainter now! Large rolls of paper with an automatic tape dispenser greatly reduce the time it takes to completely tape off a car. He's helped tens of thousands of people just like you from all parts of the world. What's the difference between regular primer and epoxy primer? Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. What Are Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems? Unlike a rust inhibitor, epoxy primers are meant to be applied to bare metal before paint or under coating, and long before corrosion sets in. Subscribe to stay in touch and come back often. So you did your homework, shopped around, and decided on a fiberglass body for your next project. How you clean the brushes depends on the type of primer/paint/topcoat you are using. I use a single stage(DCC) for a non metallic paint. Forbes Wheels independently tests and reviews cars and automotive accessories. Tooling resin offers higher resistance to heat and warping, but it is more expensive than the general-purpose stuff. Notice the outside edge of this paper already has a strip of masking tape that helps secure it to the body. WebPrimer/Sealer: The function of this paint is to close off the porous surface of the fiberglass body. Understanding what fiberglass is and coping with its quirks are the first steps toward giving fiberglass a finish that looks like sheetmetal. The primer used should be compatible with the top coats that youre using. Check the label on the bucket or can of paint to find out if you need a primer and topcoat. To paint fiberglass, first clean the surface thoroughly with soapy water and let it dry. Inexpensive plastic spreaders usually cannot be reused once the material hardens and should be thrown away. Paper and tape prevent the difficult-to-remove overspray from falling on the under body and interior components. Plan on $1200-1800 in materials. WebThe final step is to gel coat the Corvette. Be sure to protect yourself, fiberglass is not something you want in or on your body. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kapalini C6(05-13 )Corvette Black Primer Fiberglass Side Skirts & Flaps W/HDWR at the best online prices at eBay! Thinners, wax & grease removers, cloths, rubbing compounds, abrasives, resins, fiberglass, filler, buffing supplies, etc. Then follow w/3 coats of K36 which is a primer sufacer. If the body is not clean, those agents will create fisheyes in the paint. Eliminating air bubbles & excess resin are the key elements in assuring a strong, durable repair. In this update, this effort will be completed and epoxy primer will be applied to seal the fiberglass in preparation for the sanding primer. primer. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Paint-Fiberglass-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-Fiberglass-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Paint-Fiberglass-Step-1.jpg\/aid9445070-v4-728px-Paint-Fiberglass-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"