filling pits and topcoating PPG's DP90LF..

[Jim V.]

I am still inching along on the resto of a 65 frame and front control arms. Today the balmy weather, I finally got the control arms nicely preped (bare metal) and under two coats of DP90LF. I used the Preval stray tool which although slowwww worked surpisingly well. Next up, filling some pits (yep I am anal) and then some type of topcoat....

1. For pit work, I was either going to fill with Evercoat's Slick Sand or Metal Glaze, sand, recoat with the DP90LF, and finally topcoat. Comments...?

2. Topcoats...I am still at a loss... After reading countless archived DP posts I see some folks don't even bother to topcoat. As mentioned earlier I still don't have a spray gun setup so I will probably continue with the Preval or spray cans. I am concerned about both compatability, adhesion, and the recoat window with the DP90LF primer. PPG states that after one week the surface needs to be roughed and reshot with DP90LF prior to topcoat. Also, fellow posters have mentioned compatability issues using products like Krylon over different manufactures primer. Any experience with overcoating DP90LF with Krylon, Cat Blitz Black, or Sem enamels?

Many thanks....
JimV

[Keith B.]

Re: filling pits and topcoating PPG's DP90LF..

I did the same with a 67 that I top flighted. I used DP-90 then used Evercoat Polyester glaze putty. It really goes on smooth and will go on top of the DP-90. After sanding I used a filler primer and block sanded the whole frame. I then top coated with PPG Omni One black enamel that I used flattner with (the formula came out to be 70% sheen) you really should use a real spray gun if possible. My local paint shop let me borrow different guns when I needed them. I finally bought one. I sprayed with a 1 horse compressor. With a HVLP gun you can spray with so little pressure you can you a hobby compressor. My results were very nice. Good luck. Do it right because you will most likely never touch the frame again.

[Jim V.]

thks Keith

Let me make sure I understand. You 1)preped, 2)primed, 3)glazed, 4)sanded, 5) sealed, 6)sanded, and then finally 7)top coated. Yikes....powder coating my last frame was well worth the money. This trip I have more time than money so I thought I would learn a little and save a little. I am successful at the learning a little, but the saving a little aint gonna happen.

Anyhow, did you used a reduced DP90 for the sealer or yet another product? I know once I glaze and sand I should seal prior to top coat.

Thanks

[Keith B.]

Re: thks Keith

No the "sealing" was a build coat primer from ppg. I blocked 40% off before I painted with top coat. It is a lot of work but the car recently scored a 99.3.
The car was done from top to bottom.