Favorite primers & clears

[AutobodyCAD]

I'd like to take an informal poll here. I posted at another forum, but folks seem to be ignoring this. Maybe I'm asking for too much info all in one thread. Just list as much as you want, then, I don't care. Thanks for any input, since (as you probably guessed) I'm trying to decide which system or products to use. For Base, I'll likely use DuPont, Nason or Kirker, as they're available nearby for me. I've used all DuPont in the past, but in just 4 years, it seems like prices have nearly doubled.


What are your favorite products in each category?

Etch primer
2K primer
Epoxy Primer
Sealer
Clear


Maybe mention the characteristics of the product, too. Cheapest, easiest to apply, most durable, etc.

Also, if you don't buy locally, name the place you prefer to order it from. I have DuPont, PPG, and Kirker distributors locally; dunno about other brands.

Try to keep comments brief and save the debates for other threads.

[88GT]

Big fan of Dopont as well.
Etch: Dupont 615S
2k filler primer: Nason 421-19
Epoxy sealer: Dupont VS 250(1-7)S
Chroma Base base coat (not mentioned but will add)
Clear: Dupont 7500S

Arrordable and good quality

[dave_demented]

im a big fan of dupont too, mostly because its local

Etch primer: 615s Vari Prime
2K primer: My favorite would have to be the 4001s, althought i typically use ppgs k36 as i can order it online pretty cheaply
Epoxy Primer: 2501s
Sealer:2501s
Clear: either the 7500s or the nason 465-00, depends on my budget for the job.

edit: i like the epoxy/sealer as its one less product i have to buy, and it flows out really nice, and covers well even if its just one coat. im thinking about going to a high build sandable epoxy but im unsure of which to buy, and jsut eliminate using the sealer which would save some money too

[88GT]

im a big fan of dupont too, mostly because its local

Etch primer: 615s Vari Prime
2K primer: My favorite would have to be the 4001s, althought i typically use ppgs k36 as i can order it online pretty cheaply
Epoxy Primer: 2501s
Sealer:2501s
Clear: either the 7500s or the nason 465-00, depends on my budget for the job.

edit: i like the epoxy/sealer as its one less product i have to buy, and it flows out really nice, and covers well even if its just one coat. im thinking about going to a high build sandable epoxy but im unsure of which to buy, and jsut eliminate using the sealer which would save some money too

I find the 2501 to save me alot in time and paint using Chroma base. (which saves money) It is a sandable epoxy sealer. (the last digit is the value shade.)
01 being white, 04 grey and 07 almost black. Very usefull for their hard to cover colors. Intermixed you can get the 2,3 5 and 6.
I think it does a very good job. One coat coverage and eliminates that transparency at a primer edge that many of us have had.
Glad to see some Dupont fans on the site. Not that PPG or SW arent good products, along with many others.

[vltnolia]

I wish I knew. But I dont.

[Andy]

I use mostly Dupont products -- all give good consistant results.

Chroma 1 is the best single stage I have ever used -- goes on very nicely, easy to spray, high gloss and little orange peel. Fairly durable (not as tough as Imron but much easier to work with).

Chroma base/7500s clear gives good consistant results.

222s Clear sealer/adhesion promotor -- very useful for small repairs & bc/cc blends

Chroma Premier sealer -- quite expensive and I don't think it is all that great.

2k Primer --- Sherwin Williams p30 -- much better than anything in the Dupont Line. Available in a number of colors. Can be used over bare metal up to 8" X 8". No flex additive needed for plastic. Dries to sand in 30 minutes w/ accelerated reducer (4 hrs w/ standard reducer). Can be converted to a no-sand sealer with a sealer additive. I can't say enough good things about this primer -- it is very versatile and a real time saver. I have not had any compatibility problems using it with Dupont products.

Andy

[Jon E]

Ill be the voice if dissention and say that I dont care for DuPont. Ive had a few bad experiences with adhesion problems in the past using the Chromabase so I don't use it anymore. The 7500 clear is fair, but I thought the 7900 was much better.

I love the Omni epoxy and 2K primer (MP170 and MP282) but they have now been switched to the "Shop Line" and I havent tried them out yet. The adhesion, low shrinkage, and ease of sanding is as good, if not better, than high-end primers that cost twics as much.

My favorite base is Diamont followed by PPG's DBU in a close second. The metallic control is a little easier and the coverage better with the Diamont.

My favorite clear is PPG's 2021 beacuse of the high solids, good hold out of D.O.I. over time and ease of buffing. Diamont's DC92 is a close second only because it's a little easier to run since the solids are a little lower, so it's not as good for covering up graphics. (Although I can mix it thicker if I want, but it doesn't lay out as nice.) Sherwin Williams Ultra 7000 is also another very good clear as far as D.O.I. and hold out is concerned. Ive only used a few qts but what Ive used I really like.

Least favorite 2K primer: Diamont's DP20 - Sprays and sands great, but causes fisheye's like crazy when topcoating over it. It must be clean clean clean.

Least favorite base: Nason - Matching metallics can be a nightmare.

Least favorite clear: PPG's DC3000 - Hardest most unbuffible clear Ive ever used.

[okie]

I use Diamont also. DP25 is used as a primer and I use it as a wet on wet sealer, tintable up to 10%. Sprays good as a sealer and it seals, won't use anything else. Now as a primer make sure you have plenty of elbow grease.. lol

The diamont base, specially the met, has great coverage and I really like how the met lays in. White, red and black lay in different and takes alittle practice to get it layed in without getting to many mils..

I use both 3100 and 3500 Diamont clears. 3500 is a bake clear and mostly used on overalls. I use the 3100 the most and it gets baked too with no ill effects.

I have a custom detail shop of my own and I enjoy buffing and detailing but I have to say that this clear (3100 or 3500) is not easy to rub out, matter of fact I cringe just thinking about it.. It isn't as hard as the PPG but dayum close..

I was taught with using Dupont many years ago and when I lived and worked in Germany we used it also. It seems to me that it is expensive paint but I really like spraying it. In my opinion it is the easiest to spray..

[AutobodyCAD]

Good input so far. Thanks, guys.

How about 5-Star and Mar-Hyde? Any fans here of those primers, epoxies or clears? Or how about Kirker's stuff?

Also, how about cheapest on-line suppliers for your stuff. Most of us by base locally, but quite a few are ordering the rest of their line-up via the Internet & print catalogs.

[dave_demented]

ive heard mixed opininons on 5-star and im debating trying their high build epoxy. for online ordering, check out ppgcarpaint.com thats where i buy my k36 and other assorted goodies

[pane2k]

ppg epoxy dplf i think is what i use for an epoxy.
Fill primer i use evercoat slicksand
Sealer I use Lesonal HS Sealer
Clear I use Lesonal Universal Clear. Sikkens Autoclear III or U-Pol 2:1 HS production clear.
For basecoat I use strictly Lesonal. Have a paint system in house, and i have personally attended their class for color tinting instruction.
Incase you arent familiar with the name Lesonal, its a derivative of Sikkens. Its like comparing Spies Hecker to Dupont.

[isprayum]

favorite clear- - sherwin williams cc639. although i havent tried to many brands.

[dixie1776]

i like Rubber-Seal rs2200 clear
Martain Senior etch
Dupont on about everything else, nason 2K

[zingercustoms]

Monatan Big sky 2k urathane high build, check my post in the tools forum about it if you want.

[Andy]

I agree with Isprayum that sherwin williams 639 super glamour clear is very good. Have used it several times with excellent results.

Andy