Clearcoat over epoxy

G

gregstith

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find it through search. I'm painting a truck bed fiberglass cover . I've already finished the repair work to it and sprayed two coats black epoxy. I'm planning on some light blocking, then 1 coat reduced epoxy. The topper needs to be black, so can I just clear over the epoxy, or should I go ahead and get the black basecoat?
 
If I remember, Barry has recommended spraying at least one coat of base when spraying over white epoxy. Not sure if the same is true for the the black. He recently added more UV additive to the black epoxy making it more resistant to sun exposure. The other concern is does the shade of black epoxy match the truck color. (there are many shades of black)
 
Like Rodman said, stay away from doing this over white and gray but the black is no problem.

Although one of my employees last year painted his GMC with gray epoxy as a base and cleared it, it did look nice for the year he had it and then traded it for a new Dodge.
 
Barryk;9827 said:
Like Rodman said, stay away from doing this over white and gray but the black is no problem.

Although one of my employees last year painted his GMC with gray epoxy as a base and cleared it, it did look nice for the year he had it and then traded it for a new Dodge.
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won't the new owner be surprised when he gets in a little fender bender and trys to match the color!
 
i'm totally intrigued by this idea. what are the gloss properties of the epoxy when cleared? would you describe it as semigloss?

I ask because the headlight buckets on my camaro are supposed to be semi-gloss, but the epoxy might be perfect
 
Bob Heine;9831 said:
Is black epoxy our long-awaited SPI black base coat?
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NO!!!!!!!!!

Any other company would never even bring up the idea of clearing epoxy, but I have done it for years on parts like the brake booster for T-Bird and the radiator but if we start stretching I have to back off on advice.

Some things will work, some things won't.
 
58mark;9833 said:
i'm totally intrigued by this idea. what are the gloss properties of the epoxy when cleared? would you describe it as semigloss?

I ask because the headlight buckets on my camaro are supposed to be semi-gloss, but the epoxy might be perfect
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Wouldnt the gloss properties be what ever gloss the clear has?
 
Bob Heine;9831 said:
Is black epoxy our long-awaited SPI black basecoat?
Click to expand...

I don't think Cooter and the boys have made it to Georgia yet,LOL.
 
What if I painted the headlight buckets with epoxy, but didn't clear them? What would that look like long term?
 
Hell, I can live with that! It's a garage kept car, so I may be able to stretch that a bit

Ordering more primer on Monday!
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. Barry, when you have cleared the black epoxy does is seem to be a really deep black once cleared or does it have some brown to it. It's honestly not a huge deal, it's a bargain job for a neighbor so I think he'll be pleased with the deal.
 
I guess I am going to be the only one to ask the question here..

WHY???

I love the epoxy.... It is an extremely versatile product!!..

The top panels of the car... Personally I dont see it belonging there!

Compare it to Toyota Jet Black base,, Which is what I have been told over and over is the blackest black..

They dont compare.. I did a side by side in the garage one time.. I shot some metal with black epoxy, then black base.. I separated the sections 2 inches wide with masking tape..
The base was darker deeper rich black if that makes sense.. The epoxy had a brown hue to it in comparison.. This was all spi.. SPI epoxy and SPI black base..

In an engine compartment.. Great.
Brake booster, and engine components.. Great
Undercarriage.. Great
Wheel Wells.. Great

On top surfaces of your several 100's of hours invested for your paint job???
Makes me nervous..
Id rather see you use a top quality base that is activated for black stripes, and louvers instead of epoxy..

I have cars with activated black base on them for stripes and louvers passing 4 summers now and they still look great..

I am not knocking the epoxy.. Nor am I here to piss on anyone's parade..

You do as you wish.. I know Barry is the expert on his products.. I just could see people using this as a topcoat and when it failed to meet their expectations down the line, they would blame Barry and perhaps a thread like this..

Barry knows there is no malice in my post, I simply wanted to ask the question why, and to note caution that if you use this product incorrectly.. Be prepared for what may come..

Epoxy is not to replace base coats or single stages on top surfaces of cars in my humble opinion..
 
valid points.... here's what my thoughts are

the epoxy seems to be a nice semi gloss, which is perfect for the grill, the buckets and the louvers of the camaro. these things were never intended to be glossy. I could get a single stage satin black to accomplish the same thing I suppose, but epoxy seems to be so tough and durable that it seems like a good idea for anything that is supposed to be semigloss

now it as you say the black isn't a rich black, then there's reason for pause. the pictures I've seen, it looks black, but the nake eye sees things photography and computer monitors can't see.
 
58. I still dont think it needs to be on louvers either.. I think a quality activated black base will look better and hold out longer..

I shot my moms patio furniture with black epoxy unreduced.. Table top had 3 coats..
Chairs had 2..
2nd summer in the sun and they are not chalking ( awesome ), but they are not dark black like they were either.. They are grayish black.. If your finger rubs on them with moisture or oil they blacken right up..

That is to be expected though and that is my point.. I wondered how long it would hold out.. The fact it has not chalked is amazing... Still doesn't change that the product is not designed to be used as a topcoat..

So if it doesn't hold out as well as someone likes or someone says its too brown etc.. Then Barry and SPI catch a bad rap when they should not..

Im just looking down the road is all..
 
thanks. Good advice.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but should satin black urethane always be a single stage? wouldn't clearing it defeat the purpose and the look?

Love this forum and others like it for brainstorming ideas
 
There are flattened single stages used for stripes and everything in between yes..

I have used activated base coat to do stripping and louvers etc.. I was taught this by an ole timer on here.. It has served me well
 
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