Enamel vs. Epoxy vs. Urethane - A Paint Primer?

[pappy]

What's the difference? I'm getting close to painting my FJ40. I'm going to do this myself and I know almost nothing about paint and I'm confused. This will be on a trail truck, not a restoration, but I still want it to be nice. I need something easy to apply. No clear coat required. Also, I saw someplace that the primer needs to be compatable with the top coat. What do I need to know?

[ashooter]

Ditto.

I have heard that a lot of people have had good luck with Rustoleum "industrial" enamel as well as Interlux Brightside polyurethane. The biggest question in my mind is not which is easier to apply, but which one is tougher?

[laguna80]

Here's some wiki articles. Bear in mind, they are not 100% accurate.
Enamel paint - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Epoxy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polyurethane - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I like zero rust a lot. I've been putting it on my 55. It rolls on really nicely too. It's an alkyd coating, essentially an oil-based paint.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by laguna80

Here's some wiki articles. Bear in mind, they are not 100% accurate. I like zero rust a lot. I've been putting it on my 55. It rolls on really nicely too. It's an alkyd coating, essentially an oil-based paint.

Those were real technical. I guess I need something dumb'd down to my level.

[Project60]

I'm not a paint expert, but I will pass on what I have read.

Epoxy primer is used on bare metal (it is like an etching primer). It is a 2 part paint, meaning it has a catylist. It does not sand well, so it is merely a place to start for bare metal.

Urethane primer is a sandable primer. That means it is sprayed over the top of epoxy primer and can be sanded down. The intent is you spray a coat on, sand it down, spray a coat on, sand it down. This way it hides imperfections. It is usually not waterproof, so it is not a good topcoat.

Enamel primer is the same as urethane primer, but is meant to go under enamal topcoats.


NOTE - If you use a lacquer based topcoat, use a lacquer based primer. If you use an enamal topcoat, use an enamel primer. If you use a urethane topcoat, use a urethane primer.

[ashooter]

Originally Posted by Project60

NOTE - If you use a lacquer based topcoat, use a lacquer based primer. If you use an enamal topcoat, use an enamel primer. If you use a urethane topcoat, use a urethane primer.

So unless I'm going to sand my truck down to bare metal and start from scratch, I ought to use an enamel like Rustoleum rather than a polyurethane like Brightside?

Makes sense to me.

[Project60]

Originally Posted by ashooter

So unless I'm going to sand my truck down to bare metal and start from scratch, I ought to use an enamel like Rustoleum rather than a polyurethane like Brightside?

Makes sense to me.

I am not sure what the original primer/paint was from Toyota. My guess is a lacquer or an enamel....

The other thing you can do is sand/scuff your existing paint/primer and then shoot a coat of sealer. This way you can use whatever kind of paint you want... just make sure the sealer is made to go over the top of the original paint and is compatible with the new paint.

[DanS HJ-45]

Pappy;

PM me if you're heading up to the East Mountains anytime soon. I've got a bit of everything sitting in the shop and could show you some finished stuff.

Automotive Paint Supply - Quality Finishes and Equipment in ABQ is AWESOME for info and paint. They're off of San Mateo, take the first left on San Mateo south of Central. Every time I've walked out of there with a decent product and a finish I was more than happy with when it was all said and done. They are more than happy to give you guidance as to what products will work best for you (and especially in NM, since it's not so humid, things are occasionally a bit different).

Also: I wouldn't necessarily sweat a clear coat. If you ever run into Dad's FJ-40, it's got both my and his first attempts at clear coat on it--I bet you'd be hard pressed to find either of them.

Dan

[pappy]

Thanks Dan. That's the kind of help I think I'm going to need.

[webelk6]

Originally Posted by pappy

What's the difference? I'm getting close to painting my FJ40. I'm going to do this myself and I know almost nothing about paint and I'm confused. This will be on a trail truck, not a restoration, but I still want it to be nice. I need something easy to apply. No clear coat required. Also, I saw someplace that the primer needs to be compatable with the top coat. What do I need to know?

Epoxy can be a touchy paint as it can lift former substrates, if not removed. Epoxy is great for say your top. Stick with 2 component urethanes if at all possible.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by webelk6

Epoxy can be a touchy paint as it can lift former substrates, if not removed. Epoxy is great for say your top. Stick with 2 component urethanes if at all possible.

Thanks. I've been reading on the side and I'll either go with the urethane, or the ACE enamel.

[pportmd]

...if sanding to bare metal, metal prep solution then epoxy primer then single-stage urethane topcoat (has clear built in), if painting over old layer of paint, then need a combined primer/sealer coat to keep old paint layers from lifting, then topcoat with single stage urethane.

[REZARF]

FWIW, the paint guy locally told me that urathane will hold up much better than the enamel in the long run, but the enamel can always be buffed back to a shine.

Drew