Painting gelcoat
Discussion
Adding to what RazMan said the etch prime is very important so in subsequent rubbing down you do not want to go through it. Do the etch prime then a completely different colour primer or undercoat. Then a filler primer which you can then rub back. with the distinct colour of the first prime you can ensure you don't touch the etch.
Steve
Steve
I'll be different and say you <b>don't</b> need etch primer.
It's normally used on GRP because new panels can have residue of the release agent used to stop them sticking to the moulds, which can also stop paint sticking.
However, you can also remove any residue by rubbing down with 400 grade wet or dry paper used with soapy water. You need to make sure you've completely taken the glossy shine off the surface to ensure good paint adhesion. Then you can paint the top coat directly onto the gel coat and cut it back as normal.
Admittedly that's the cheap way of doing it. For a top quality paint job for an expensive GRP bodied car like a Cobra replica or TVR you definitely want to use the primer.
However, for a basic roadster like the Striker, especially if it's more for driving than for show, I'd personally be happy doing it the cheap way.
You could always experiment using the front mudguards and some aerosols and see what you think.
It's normally used on GRP because new panels can have residue of the release agent used to stop them sticking to the moulds, which can also stop paint sticking.
However, you can also remove any residue by rubbing down with 400 grade wet or dry paper used with soapy water. You need to make sure you've completely taken the glossy shine off the surface to ensure good paint adhesion. Then you can paint the top coat directly onto the gel coat and cut it back as normal.
Admittedly that's the cheap way of doing it. For a top quality paint job for an expensive GRP bodied car like a Cobra replica or TVR you definitely want to use the primer.
However, for a basic roadster like the Striker, especially if it's more for driving than for show, I'd personally be happy doing it the cheap way.
You could always experiment using the front mudguards and some aerosols and see what you think.
I'm intending to apply black paint to the gel coated windscreen frame of my Fisher Fury, as otherwise it will be possible to see the black bonding compound squidged between frame and glass. Presumably an etch primer is important in this case as the bond between paint and gel coat must be as strong as possible. Any ideas on what brand of primer to use, and whether ordinary car body paint is suitable?
Richard
Richard
rtasker said:
I'm intending to apply black paint to the gel coated windscreen frame of my Fisher Fury, as otherwise it will be possible to see the black bonding compound squidged between frame and glass. Presumably an etch primer is important in this case as the bond between paint and gel coat must be as strong as possible. Any ideas on what brand of primer to use, and whether ordinary car body paint is suitable?
I'm going to do something similar for my Aeon - however, what I'm going to do is paint about 5mm around the inside of the frame, and 5mm around the outside of the frame, leaving about 15mm of gelcoat for the bonding material to bond to. In theory, this would be enough for it to bond, and not leave any white gaps.
If there are white gaps, then I probably haven't but enough bonding material on. Plus it'd probably be too late
Ive painted 2 westfields 3 different colours I used spec effect colours but same technique (was paintsprayer by trade last 19 years :-( .. they dont need etch primer.. just make sure the panels have had a good sand down , I used 1000 wet and dry. then straight on with the base coat ..only thing I did different to normal was to use a flexy adative in the clear coat..
few piccies
spec effect blue to green
greeen - purple
grey-green
few piccies
spec effect blue to green
greeen - purple
grey-green
Edited by jeffc on Tuesday 30th January 08:28
Edited by jeffc on Tuesday 30th January 08:31
Even if it could, you wouldn't want to!!! Spraying anything more than a very small repair with aerosol is a total waste of effort (and IMO that is too). If you are going to do any spraying it's worth investing in a compressor and gun - even if it's only a small one.
If you are anything like me you'll also find it addictive and start wanting to spray everthing (and anything!!)
If you are anything like me you'll also find it addictive and start wanting to spray everthing (and anything!!)
yeh reckon you would struggle to get the effect with a tin 
I painted the purple-green car in my garage at home with a 25litre compressor and one of the spot repair spray guns , did the full car on 3/4 litre of basecoat.. with these spec effect colours the full car has to be painted black first..
hired a pals booth for the other car and was sooooo much easier.. If youve no experience prob worth paying someone to paint it , decent bodyshop wouldnt charge the earth if its just to mask and blast.
Im on with another westy at the mo for a pal and doing it the orange colour from the focus Rs
I painted the purple-green car in my garage at home with a 25litre compressor and one of the spot repair spray guns , did the full car on 3/4 litre of basecoat.. with these spec effect colours the full car has to be painted black first..
hired a pals booth for the other car and was sooooo much easier.. If youve no experience prob worth paying someone to paint it , decent bodyshop wouldnt charge the earth if its just to mask and blast.
Im on with another westy at the mo for a pal and doing it the orange colour from the focus Rs
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