Alternative to Epoxy Primer

jelco

Promoted Users
I ran out of the black SPI epoxy primer. I think I’ll need another quart but I don’t want to wait a week to get more shipped to me and which would require me to do more prep work for mechanical adhesion.
What’s an alternative I can get at an automotive paint store?
Lots of turn over at my local auto paint store and not sure who is reliable.
 
There isn't anything I would recommend except maybe Spies-Hecker 4502. I don't think you would like the price tag even if you could find it. It's also light gray, not black.
Sucks to run out!
 
Probably there are some things out there that work, but you won't find many guys here that know what they are, since most of us use SPI. I knew of one, but it's unlikely you will find it locally.
 
Transtar 6164 (quart, black). While I don't think it's on the level of SPI, it is the only one that I've used that is relatively close. Far better than PPG DPLF Use the same procedures that you would with SPI Epoxy.


If you have an Oreillys nearby you can order it through them. Or check the local Jobbers. At least one of them will carry Transtar products.
 
You've probably already done this, but just in case.

1. Call SPI and see if there's a jobber close to you
OR
2. Place a call to SPI and expedite the shipping (like Shine said)
 
I’d get expedited shipping if they were open Friday or today (Saturday). It takes O’Reilly’s 2 weeks to get transtar epoxy. My local paint store has matrix and AIC brands in black 2k epoxy and LIMCO in gray.
Lesson learned, make sure you have more SPI paint than you think you need!
 
Last edited:
I would not risk it! Order from Oreillys and chances are it's late, you have a product inferior to SPI and on the same time line or longer. I promise there is a huge difference in epoxy primers, some are piss thin, some don't sand well dry at all and are hyper sensitive to UV, some are what I would call fake epoxy. I would not risk a do-over and just order the SPI, they always ship super fast. Then you can sleep well...
 
Were your plans to spray epoxy and then paint right over it? On frames or parts I could see this but on body panels I would block the primer anyway so extra prep time there would be a moot point. It does suck to run out but I find so many uses for this epoxy I don't mind keeping a small supply on hand so I always get extra when ordering. Sorry for your dilemma, I found myself there once and vowed I would always pull the trigger to make sure I had this stuff on hand, don't think about it just do it kinda thing.
 
I ended up using AIC epoxy primer made by Sherman-Williams because I wanted to finish this project this weekend. I imagine it is an inferior product but I used it to spray both sides of the floor pan (undercarriage and interior) dash, roof etc and i re-sprayed the firewall. It has more gloss than SPI. I’m certainly not a professional but I like SPI better. It costs more than SPI but less than Matrix. I regret not ordering more last week. Lesson learned.
 

Attachments

  • 738CA947-F187-43D8-B8AF-FFA74B9C1A0E.jpeg
    738CA947-F187-43D8-B8AF-FFA74B9C1A0E.jpeg
    198.4 KB · Views: 132
  • 95804848-9267-4A91-948C-C1E912B1422D.jpeg
    95804848-9267-4A91-948C-C1E912B1422D.jpeg
    181.9 KB · Views: 153
  • F488C3B6-000B-46CF-8D11-B54D5CA773F5.jpeg
    F488C3B6-000B-46CF-8D11-B54D5CA773F5.jpeg
    167.6 KB · Views: 126
  • 92D0D673-8148-4AB4-9D4D-5D7FB4AE4AEA.jpeg
    92D0D673-8148-4AB4-9D4D-5D7FB4AE4AEA.jpeg
    184.9 KB · Views: 147
I wish I had asked previously. You think they keep a few extra gallons to sell? Will SPI distribute to auto paint stores sometime in the future?
These are a couple places near me.
spaceagepaint.com
finishmaster.com
 
That is why when you call the first time to order they ask your zip code because if we have a jobber we send you to them.
We have jobbers that have been with us since day one over 20 years and no we will never sell a finish master or an LKQ.
 
Back
Top