Seal Armrest with SPI Epoxy???

F

FStanley

I have a 1979 Pontiac Phoenix with a console vinyl armrest that needs repainted.

The problem I am having is that the interior paint keeps crazing/cracking over time say 1 year.

First I cleaned it well with SEM Soap and vinyl prep.

Then I stripped the armrest of all paint which was quite thick from the upholster who redid it 2 times.

I tried a vinyl sealer, let it dry then sanded it with 600 sandpaper per the instructions, blew off, and then top coated it with SEM Color Coat. When the color coat dried, it came out very rough, almost like a sandpaper..

What I saw under a magnifying glass was a lot of very very small pinhole bubbles in the color coat, with some larger ones, say 1/32 diameter.

SO being the experimenter I am.

I am planning on using SPI Epoxy to seal it, I've previous used it to seal metal items I've painted.

I plan to restrip it back down to good vinyl, which is still very nice and supple and no cracks.

Then use Bulldog adhesion promoter, 1st coat light wait 5 minutes, then second light coat.

Then. wait 1 hour and then use thinned SPI epoxy to seal.


The wait 2 hours and then topcoat with a few light coats of SEM Color Coat, just enough to cover...



Questions:

1. What do you think of my wait times??

2. How much should I thin the SPI epoxy??

3. Other suggestions??
 
I honestly have no idea, other than I will never touch another can of Bulldog. Bumping this to the top to see if anyone knows about epoxy and vinyl.
 
I used SPI epoxy on a vinyl dash on a Chevy van with no adhesion promoter. Had to repair some areas after it dried and the epoxy had fully bitten into vinyl. I only had simple green to clean it. Although the presta scuff paste works even better.

I asked Barry afterwards on an interior project of different plastics and vinyl to see exactly what would work on what. He said adhesion promoter on plastics but not necessary on vinyl.
 
I honestly have no idea, other than I will never touch another can of Bulldog. Bumping this to the top to see if anyone knows about epoxy and vinyl.
What problems did you have with bulldog? I used it one time and it seem to work OK. Is it gonna come back to bite me?
 
@Rbm , I don't want to get into it, other than to say that everyone is better off using the brand of adpro that matches whatever is going directly on top of it whenever possible, and to avoid off brands whenever possible.

I doubt the one application of Bulldog represents much of a risk, especially if it was primed.

I think in the case of vinyl, it's better off without adpro, but some test scraps of vinyl ought to be done, that would answer the question if there was time to let each sample cure properly.
 
If you can get it down to good soft vinyl then use the SEM cleaner and go with Sem color coat for vinyl. Dyed a few interiors over the years with excellent results. Did my 58 Olds from blue to red and white however stayed tacky for about a year in the sun and hot weather LOL
 
If you can get it down to good soft vinyl then use the SEM cleaner and go with Sem color coat for vinyl. Dyed a few interiors over the years with excellent results. Did my 58 Olds from blue to red and white however stayed tacky for about a year in the sun and hot weather LOL
The uphostery guy tried this twice and same result after awhile. Crazing and cracks.. Why I want to seal it/


So far no one has mentioned on how much to thin....
 
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