Is it necessary to wait 2-3 weeks after the body primer is on for it to shrink and cure? Then paint? Or is this a buying time for the shop. I've heard this is the way it is done. I hate being held hostage by a paint shop. Guess this is one more thing I need to learn to do. So in everyones past experience, what is the proper process?
AL

 

Well, I'm out of touch with these newfangled paints, but that sounds distinctly odd to me.

New paints go on fast and recoat fast - production speed is one of their selling points.

- Eric

 

That's what I thought. 99% of the stuff you hear is BS. Couldn't fgure out what has to shrink or cure. And a good morning to you!
AL

 

I was told by the paint store that I had a 2 day window only on the epoxy primer that I shot.

 

Sounds like someone is pulling your leg. 30 years ago when I painted cars for a living , this waiting time was about 5 or 6 days. Now with the new polyester primers its a hole new process that I am just learning about as I go.

 

My paint shop here in Germany is one of the best. The guy is a good friend of mine. He told me that most of the paint jobs are not really good enough for classic cars as the are being done overnight or in a few days. When he painted my car, he had it for nearly one year. He let the paint dry thoroughly each time and by that the car has a much higher chance to keep the paint for lots and lots of years!

 

I was told by the paint store that I had a 2 day window only on the epoxy primer that I shot.

x2

 

It depends on the brand and type of primer. PPG DPLF epoxy primers must be top coated within a week, or the primer must be sanded. Talk to the paint supply shop people.

 

I remember they used to say that with lacquer primers etc, to wait till it shrunk, then colour coat etc and then let that shrink before wetsanding, then the clear coat and let that shrink, that would be for what passed for the "ultimate" paint job, the car had to be inside because the primers were porous,etc etc, there is truth to lacquers shrinking over time as they harden etc, I would have thought then once you use a catalyst you are chemically hardening the paint and it would be much quicker, I have to figure all this out myself as I plan to do the paint on mine, and wanted to use the newer primers, paint etc .

 

If you are using production products on a classic I would give some cure time. In the very high volumn shop I was working at a few years back from body work started to clear coat buffed might be 48 hours. The average costumer does not notice but every car we ever had in the showroom waiting for a final insurance check I could see halos and primered areas slightly shrunk in the paint. The paint guys hated me because often I would make them redo some of the worst ones.

 

Will be using De Beer's-I'll check into that. Thanks!
AL

 

Autobodystore.com has alot of information-just saw it.
AL

 

Primers will shrink as the solvents evaporate. If your goona do a show car i would let it sit a little while before blocking it