Self-etching primer is a primer used to seal surfaces from corrosion and rust. You can apply it over an existing paint job to protect the surface from future rusting. The best way to see if you can use self-etching primer over paint is by testing it on a small area first.
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Can you use self-etching primer over paint?
The Etch Primer is perfect for touching up or restoring paint. You can use a medium grit to smooth it off, followed by a high-fill primer.
If you have a proper primer in place, powder coaters will have no trouble giving you a good finish. I suspect the paint’s the issue. The black colour looked like it was making dirt or dust, but the clear primer was still intact.
I find that rattles always have dust on them, and I rarely use it! The secret to perfect adhesion with rattle cans is to shake them well before painting. Interestingly, they’re an emulsion type-paint, unlike 2 oil-based K paints.
Once your paint has dried, you will see it flash and feel dry. There are still solvents in colour, though. Once it has cured, it becomes very durable. The paint won’t stick without the primer. Less is more.
Here’s how to use self-etching primer over paint:
Prepare it thoroughly. Sand, wipe and repeat until the surface is the desired one.
To prime, use mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. Let the primer dry thoroughly before spackling.
Once degreased and dry, it’s time to paint. A good first coat is extremely important because it helps the finish adhere well. The wet skin that you’ll apply next should be barely damp, and you’ll want to spray until a surface shine appears.
Can you use Etch primer on old paint?
Yes. You can use etch primer on old paint -but -if it is an aerosol can then use thin coats (to reduce the chance of it reacting with the edges of the old paint).
Allow time for drying and shrinkage before recoating.
Tanks Dunlop, so your def the man who knows best. I have both acid etch primer and acrylic primer. What’s my best plan then?
Just use a normal acrylic primer all over, even on the little bits of bare metal? Will the paint stick to these, or is it not likely not to bond?
The ideal thing is back to bare metal and starts afresh. I would patch prime (acrylic) the bare spots being careful not to overload with paint to avoid any reaction. Recoat with primer and use some colour on the last two coats.
It’s a long-winded process, but patience does pay off, do not be tempted to “give it one more.
The engine and all the bodywork on Louise’s M600 were done with aerosols.
What type of primer should you use?
If the user has not read the label, you need to rinse with water. Epoxy does not need anything other than sanded metal; however, some label directions recommend rinsing with water.
I stopped using solvent-based cleaners a long time ago, trying to keep it simple. Low-end work is no problem, but a paint failure is a disaster when you work on high-end materials.
You can apply Evercoat Slick Sand polyester high build primer directly to bare metal or over rust.
You can find information about preparing metal on the product sheet. Also, metal conditioners are an excellent product that can make working with steel quick & easy.
I use PPG metal conditioner, wax remover, and DPLF epoxy primer. After that, I spread Slick Sand over the epoxy, block it out, then buff off the paint with a high-speed buffer.
If you’ve just treated your frame with metal conditioner, I advise starting over as it’s been a while. The key is to follow all instructions from the manufacturer.
SPI primer is typically seen as a good option, but an epoxy coating may be an ideal solution. Epoxy is increasing in popularity among restoration shops all over the country.
Why sandwich another primer between epoxy? I sand every coat. After cure, dp will come off on a rag soaked with lacquer thinner SPI will not. SPI epoxy sands down really well and can control the cut with how much you cure it.
How do you etch on the surface of clear plastic?
Suppose this is for a diode laser. I’ve not tried, but I would paint the area if I did.
The etch would be burned paint/ melted plastic darkened and not clear.
Maybe CO2 could produce a clean etch but not. The case is likely polycarbonate and not acrylic. If that’s true, it won’t engrave very well.
It’s easy enough to test, and there is little to lose unless you have only a. As a previous comment notes, it has to be a CO2 laser, although I’ve not tried the paint and etch method with a trial.
I’m about to go and change my signature block, so it shows details of my own. I have a diode 15w C 3018 Pro. So much to learn and a list of How-to’s the length of a few A4 pages.
Self vs acid etching primer
I’m working on my project but have no idea how to repair the parts, so they don’t rust again.
Acid primers are similar to self-etching primers in that they both do a good job at protecting metal. However, the acid primer doesn’t perform well in humid environments. Some topcoats can’t be sprayed over etch primer.
Prime the metal with epoxy and then go over it with a filling material. It will seal the metal from moisture while being impervious to water.
I find that a good epoxy primer is often the most effective. Give the surface 2-3 coats, and when you sand it down, you may not need any filler for the pit marks. If there are still pit marks that need attention, consider using a good metal filler primer.
Self vs regular primer
I only heard of “self-etching” primer when I last did some painting. Traditionally, people would sand things with 220 grit paper and then apply a coat of lacquer primer.
Self-etching primer doesn’t seem to belong under my paint. Not all self-etching primers can be used with fillers. Make sure to read the product specifications carefully.
Yes, the zinc chromate you used in your previous project would be termed self-etching. Usually, when zinc chromate is applied to aluminum, it leads to a chemical reaction that causes the coating material (one example is an aluminum paint) and the metal surface (aluminum) to become one.
Primer is a necessary thing to have. I use the epoxy primer, which has fewer restrictions than etch primer. With etch primer, you have to be careful about what you’re spraying or applying over it and what you’re pouring it on.
PPG epoxy primer must be applied over a scratch-free surface and not sanded. If you paint epoxy and need to repair blemishes, consider using filler.
The first step is to clean the surface with water and Dawn soap. Next, I apply epoxy, so it goes on evenly. Finally, I brush on another coat of epoxy to create a smooth surface.
The instructions say you should clean this panel down with wax and grease remover. The product is sold specifically for the job.
There’s a lot of debate surrounding rust removal options for vehicles. There are differing views on solutions like epoxy, etching and painting. You first need to determine which solution is best before following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
