Epoxy Primer

[mini_surfari]

A question for the knowledgeable painters among you!

Which is the best epoxy primer to use and where are you gents getting it?

I'll be spraying most of it, but in a few small areas as I'm doing repairs i'll brush it on in box sections etc etc.

Any help i would appreciate.

Oli

[dklawson]

I cannot begin to suggest who makes and sells the "best" epoxy primer where you are. However, I will offer the following general comments.

If possible, buy a primer color that is not a stark contrast to your top coat.
If possible, buy a primer from the same company as whoever you have chosen as the supplier for the top coat.

In short, don't buy a primer that will require excessive top coats to conceal and make sure the primer will be compatible with the top coat chemistry.

[Daz1968]

I used hb body high build epoxy, seemed to cover ok. But the lechler epoxy can be tinted if you have a local place that stocks it.

[mini_surfari]

Thanks for the pointers gents.

I was reading about lechler epoxy, will call my local paint supplier and see if its on the books.

Any other tips or pointers welcome.

[Highnumbers]

There are plenty of great brands around, it depends on your location (I use Kirker brand, but I suspect that's only in North America).

Bear in mind - the sole purpose of epoxy primer is to seal bare metal. It's unlikely to be the only primer that you use before color topcoats.

Very few epoxy primers will have any sort of interaction with subsequent paints, once cured. Epoxy primes are two-part catalyzed systems that are slow-curing (often 1-2 days to fully cure, especially in cold weather), but once cured are extremely tough, durable and sealed from all moisture.

It's always nice and reassuring to have all your paints from the same brand/system, but I've used a different brand of epoxy primer, followed by the same brand for the high-build primer-surfacer, then color sealer and finally top color coats (my preference is PPG or Valspar single stage).