Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

[Chuck S.]

Has anyone tried PPG's re-formulated epoxy primers, i.e. DP90LF, DP74LF, etc. I have heard rumors that the lead free formulas were "not as good". Anyone had any problems or observable differces in applying the new formulas compared to the old DP formulas?

Also, I am currently studying paint systems for possible use on my Corvette. Anyone have any suggestions for a compatible PPG primer and sealer to use with PPG's Concept DCC single stage acrylic urethane?

I understand that these are very technical questions on one brand of paint, and that there may not be a lot of interest on the subject. If this turns out to be a "one post" thread, I will understand completely. :-)

[Bill W.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

what ever paint brand you use should be used from primer through final color/clear .Never mix brands.Most paints are now lead free . some still have lead in the mixing formulas. I dont know what color you are using but you will get a better match with Dupont.ppg metallics are always to corse. Dupont has reformulated most of the old colors to new paint systems with the correct metallics. ppg I belive uses a color match system that matches the color to a closest poss. new color .It can be close to the correct color but will have too corse of metallic which will cause incorrect side tones (color looking different from the side than straight on ) .I wouldnt worry about the lead being gone. Bill

[Chuck S.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Thanks for your response, Bill. My "Classic White" may be boring, but at least I won't have metallic problems. :-)

[Bill W.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

White is good. one thing to watch out for on a white car if you are using urathane paints,is bleaching or bleeding of body filler hardner. what can happen is if you use red hardner in your body filler the hardners in the final paint or clear can react with the hardners in the fillers. The sun will pull the hardners through your paint and will cause it to yellow every place that filler was used. The best way to prevent this is follow mixing directions on filler cans . Let all body work dry in the sun a couple days before priming. use a catalized primer & sealer and let everything dry.SUN.SUN.SUN. the more the better .

[David H.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Chuck; I have the new epoxy from ppg and started useing it on all of my metal parts as soon as the old kind ran out. the only complaint I have is it is not 1 to 1 mix. You get less for the $. Can't tell the differance in the color or in sraying. David

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Chuck,

Based on advice from a gentleman who has painted a number of corvettes, I am currently using DPLF (primer/sealer), K36 Kondar (primer/surfacer) under the DCC. His suggestion over bare fiberglass is one good coat of DPLF, three coats of K36, rattle can guide coat, then wet sand with 360, smooth coat of DPLF, then the color.

I am currently sanding it out and it seems to work well. The DPLF and K36 went on nicely, particularly since I have not painted a car in 30+ years.

Dave

[Wayne P.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

I used to use the DP for satin black and it worked great. A one step process. The new DPLF is TOO flat.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Ah, now we're getting to the point of my question.

Dave, your post is exactly the kind of feedback I am seeking, but is little confusing in terminology: I thought "Kondar" was "DZ KONDAR" primer-surfacer, WHICH HAS TO BE SEALED before top coating with Concept DCC..."K36" was "K36 PRIMA", a primer-surfacer that can be used under DCC without sealer (PRIMA also serves as a sealer coat).

Check out the PPG product sheets on AutoBodyDepot.com. All three products are in the first column; DZ KONDAR (P-133), K36 PRIMA (P-169), CONCEPT (DCC) color (P-168). If you used KONDAR primer surfacer, it sounds like you will need to apply a sealer before spraying the DCC.




AutoBodyDepot.com PPG Product Sheets

[Chuck S.]

More Vision Problems...

OK, now I see (he said)...on re-reading your post, I see that you are using the DPLF "smooth coat" as a sealer. This is really good feedback; thanks a lot.

I don't have to use old age as an excuse for vision problems this morning...I tried to do this without my glasses. :-)

[Chuck S.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Wayne, you are right; that old DP really made a beautiful finish. I wondered if the new lead free DPLF had changed that.

You probably used the "fast" catalyst, DP402LF; did you try the "slow" catalyst, DP401LF, to see if that provided more of a satin gloss? The disadvantage to using DP401LF is having to wait that extra 30 minute induction time.

[Terry Leeker]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Chuck, this July I painted my '58 with PPG Concept II Signet Red,DCC72384 H and Snowcrest white, DCC8160. I used K36 for a filler primer (over bare 'glass and a little polyester filler) and did not use a seal coat. I was very pleased with the coverage and the gloss, though I color sanded it to get rid of some of the orange peel. If I was to do it again ,I would have used my high press siphon Sharpe's vice the HVLP. I don't think my HVLP handles the high solids paints as good as the old guns do.

[John M.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Chuck,
I still use DP90 on frames and other items needing a self-etching primer and it still lays on nice. I do not see an noticable difference in the look of it.
That being said, I would only use DP90 on a corvette body where I wanted to seal over some old Lacquer or repairs. I have been using their urethane primer/surfacer (NCP270 if memory serves me right), and have been very pleased with it's performance. I will never use any lacquer-based primer-surfacer like Kondar again, as I am just tired of sand scratches coming back up after top coat from solvent swelling. This primer is good under DCC, or DDL lacquer topcoats. The DP product line is obviously not a primer/surfacer and not intended to really be sanded on. I find it to be more useful as a non-sanding primer or as a sealer coat which is followed by a primer-surfacer. Just my $.02.

Regards, John McGraw

[Dick G.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

OK, since were on the subject of paint? Have any of you,used the sprayable polyesters on the market. They are the offbrands like Omni/Evercoat. I have spoken to many excellent painters who love it. All pros who do great work on Corvettes. I was told years ago, to keep the brand of product consistent throughout your paint. Now I hear the reason is due to product warrany from the supplier. When I painted my 57 8 years ago, I used a Spieshecker catalyzed primer 3 separate wet coatings over glass,then a PPG sealer,then a PPG Lacquer. A real hodge podge. It was Black. Lots and lots of wet sanding of the primer.I was told by the new owner 3 months ago(sold it 5 years ago)it still looks like new. Sorry for the long post. Spieshecker is a great product but a bugger to get for me.My 2 cents

[Dick W.]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Chuck, in years past I have used PPG as my supplier. I used DP as a sealer on the glass, K 36 as a primer surfacer, as a thinned coat of DP as a sealer prior to painting. Works real well.

A good source of information would be your PPG rep that services your paint store. They know the good, bad, and ugly.

By the way, white is a very good color if you are trying to duplicate a lacquer finish

[Clark Chapman]

Re: Attn: Painters/Owners Using PPG On Corvettes

Good thing your color is white. PPG has outlawed most of their reds and yelows in California and will go nationwide next year. Something to do with chromium chemicals in the toners that primarliy make up the reds and yellows. Found this out after attempting to have another quart mixed for the 1958 Signet Red this month.