I just bought a gallon of the 2k primer and was wondering how long will it last after opening. I only have a small Craftsman air compressor 2 or 3 gallon tank so I guess I would need to paint my primer one panel at a time. Also will this compressor be big enough to paint my truck if I paint it one panel at a time or should I need a bigger tank. Thanks for all your help learning all this stuff.
Keith

 

Actually the primer itself should keep awhile. No way of saying for sure, but if you keep the lid closed and store it in a cool dry place, it should keep awhile. The can of hardener is a different story. Never know how long it will keep once opened. Keep the lid closed tightly. And the hardener won't always get solid when it gets bad. What I usually do when I have a can of hardener that I am questioning, I will mix a small amount of primer and activator up, and leave it set out overnight and see if it hardens solid or not. Moisture will make the isocyanates in the hardener react I belive, don't know, I'm not a chemist. A lot of hardener says use within a week of opening because of this fact, but I've had some that was still good after almost a year. A full can of hardener with a tightly closed lid will last longer then an emptier can (same thing, store in a cool dry place). I heard of some people placing marbles in their partially used cans of hardener to allow less air space and supposedly help it keep longer. Or if you could find a smaller can to pour it in with a top that seals, that would probably work too.

 

I just want to make sure you understand what 2K primer is. 2K primer, is a 2 part primer. The primer is mixed with an activator. Shelf life on the primer should be fine, just mix what you need with the activator & spray your panels as needed. After you are done with the panels, clean the gun out & throw away any unused portion. Shelf life after it is mixed is very short, depending on how much catalyst you mix in it.

 

What they said is 100% correct ... as long as its not catalized it'll keep awhile. Thou you should occasionally stir, shake, or at least turn over so it doesnt settle to the bottom and stay there. This is why when you see the shops on tv, or your local bodyshop, they have all the paint/primer on a mixing machine, to keep it mixed.

 

1234567890