picklex b4 skim coat?

[roo]

I have a some small surface rust spots on my vw. It is in bare metal but still needs to be sanded as i used a chemical stripper to strip it. I plan on skim coating much of the crucial body areas before i epoxy it. I had planned on sanding it with 80 where i would be skim coating with my glaze and finishing out to 180 where it would be metal to epoxy. the glaze would also be finished with 180. Does this all sound good to you guys and when shoud i use my metal conditioner (probably picklex or similar). I'm assuming after i sand the metal and before skimming. If i sand into the metal conditioner while blocking would that be a problem? thanks in advance.
riley

[Serge]

You should never use metal conditioner under polyester (fillers), if you look on the can it usually warns against it. Metal conditionners are not always a good idea on a complete car, believe me I know...I am redoing an entire car because of that...

You must look at the product spec sheet you will be using to make sure it is compatible with acid based products such as metal conditionners or etch primers. If it is then make sure that it is real dry before painting and it's not a bad idea to scuff it with a maroon pad before applying the primer. If you prime soon after sanding, you don't need anything but a good epoxy if there is no visible rust. You can keep you 80 grit under the epoxy, on the metal it's quite ok.

What products are you planning to use?

[roo]

i plan on using ppg dplf epoxy. i've used it before and have no complaints. i have both blaze glaze and icing finishing putty on hand. i've used evercoat metal glaze in the past with good results but have yet to try the two i have now. i don't have any metal conditioner but will probably end up using picklex. what are your suggestions if i have specks of surface rust where i want to skim coat. if i picklex, epoxy, then spray a polyester such as slicksand would that give me the straighness i'm looking for like skim coating will. i was taught to skim then epoxy but never had to deal with all the specks of surface rust i have now.

[Len]

If there is surface rust we convert it with Picklex, wipe the Picklex off the surface, allow it to dry the scuff it prior to the application of any filler. Never had a problem.

[Len]

If there is surface rust we convert it with Picklex, wipe the Picklex off the surface, allow it to dry then scuff it prior to the application of any filler. Never had a problem. I'd rather see you convert the rust than apply filler on top of rusted metal.

[roo]

red scotchbrite ok for scuffing with 80 under the picklex?

[Len]

We usually grind the paint and rust from the metal using 24 or 36 grit grinding disks then use Picklex to convert any remaining rust and protect the metal. When we are ready for filler or primer we scuff the Picklex with either sandpaper or a red scuff pad.

Remember to press the filler into the surface to help insure a good bond.