I keep reading use a self etching primer I know what that is then I read use a sealer. What brand and how does this differ other than a primer and do I then spray the final coat after the sealer? What about a product called zero rust I have heard of its use and everyone seems to like it what is everyones standpoint here, and is that a sealer/primer or just primer? Do single stage paints come in an aresol? I have used duplicolor base paint with a clear paint before on accessories on my truck and I was more than satisfied that it cost me $9 to paint tail light covers that body shops wanted 150 to do on top of that 3 or 4 wouldn't even do it saying that it would come off in a couple of weeks because the parts cannot be painted, that was 4 years ago and it looks as good as it ever did. So I might be crazy enough to use a can, I have painted spots on the truck including a front fender and both rear fenders kind of feathered it in (kinda) and I am happy with the end result, however, I am thinking about getting one of those electric airless sprayers. Oh well any thoughts appreciated

 

Sealer is best described as a paint that provides a protective layer between old paint and new paint. It seals out the new solvents that will damage the old paint. Epoxy primer is used as a sealer.

Self-etch primer is designed to go on bare metal. It is an excellent base to build on and firmly attaches itself to the metal. A lot of them can not be applied over other paint.

A lot of folks (including myself) have eliminated self-etch and have gone to epoxy, as the first coat of primer to be applied to bare metal. Epoxy gets super-hard, sealing in any micro-rust and sealing out any water.

Zero Rust (ZR) is designed as a finish coat. It is neither primer or sealer. It works best by applying it to bare metal although it can be applied over other paint. Great for areas like inside of doors, undercarriage, frames, & etc. Dries to a nice semi-gloss but will dull when exposed to UV. The dulling does not affect it's performance. Excellent product.

Single stage is a process, not a product. It's usually refers to finish paint that is simply sprayed on and doesn't require an additional step (like a basecoat/clearcoat process)

 

what do you recommend for epoxy primer. Found a product called E.R.F miracle paint does not state if it is an epoxy primer maybe you know. In jcw catalog they list the zero rust as a primer and state it can be top coated.

I think my question of single stage paint in a aresol can was worded incorrectly, what I meant was are there any aresol can paints that you recommend that do not contain the isocyantes?

 

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I use R-M EP789 with PA897 activator. It runs about $50/quart and that price includes enough activator to do 2 quarts of epoxy. I happened to pick EP because it uses the UR series of reducers. UR reducers can also be used in Diamont basecoats and Select clearcoat. One reducer for 3 products. Doesn't get much better than that It can also be used as a primer, a sealer, and for DTM (direct-to-metal) applications.

BTW, when you decide on an epoxy, make sure it is designed for DTM application. Apparently some of them are not.

Yes, Zero Rust can be topcoated but it has a long dry period. It is recommended you wait a minumum of 2 weeks before you topcoat it. That allows all the solvents to discipate.

In the past, after using rattle can primer, I have used ZR to protect my work for a future paint job. When it came time to paint, the ZR was sanded, sealed with epoxy, and then topcoated with urethane paint. It seemed to work. Matter of fact, I'm still driving around that truck 5 years later.

Never heard of E.R.F miracle paint.

I use a product called Acid-8, with comes in a rattle can. It is a self-etch primer. About $12 a can. Hard to find though. I've found it in one local auto paint store.

As for regular rattle can paint, I was really sold on Hammerite. I've changed my opinion though. The stuff has no UV protective qualities and fades on exposure to direct sun light.

 

Funny you should mention four weeks to dry the article said 4 hours. Don't get me wrong not doubting you as I am sure you know if you have used it regularly. So you use one product as a sealer/primer to metal/primer. Would that stuff have a brand or is it diamont? Or is it something I would have to go specifically to a auto paint store and they would just find it by the number? Appreciate the info