Working with epoxy primers
 

Hi All,

I would like to try priming my 14 with an epoxy based primer. The instructions for the products I have been looking at suggest that whole cans of part A and part B need to be mixed and there is no way to use partial cans over multiple priming sessions. This is apparently due to the hardener degrading over time. This is obviously very inconvenient and the only way to avoid excessive waste would be to do huge batch priming jobs and use a whole can at once. I would prefer to prime in reasonably small batches and mix the primer each time.

Does anyone have experience with using partial cans successfully?

Many thanks,

Greg

Absolutely, just mix what you need. Seal them back up in the cans and mix well before using the next time.
I use a couple stainless dippers for each part since Akzo is 1:1. Just dip out what I need.

OK thanks Mike, good to hear.

BTW, I thought I might give this a go:

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-gr...y-primers.html

Full of zinc phosphate so should be fairly resistant to corrosion and the price is right here in Australia.

Eastwood
 

I used the Eastwood primers on my build. Good price and durable surface. You can dip out whatever amount you need. I would recommend ordering some urethane reducer with it. The unused part will thicken before you have used it all.

Brilliant, thanks rvmv. Very happy to hear this.

You can get a few years out of epoxy primer so long as you make sure the lid seals well and it doesn't get too hot or too cold.

A stir stick that's touched hardener (Part B usually) should never go in the Part A can (and vice versa)!

I punch 6-8 holes in the bottom of the rim of the can to help with drainback.

I've tried various ways to dispense. None of them work particularly well. For large amounts I've used a plastic spout that snaps into the rim. Works ok except cleanup of the spout is annoying and eventually the o-ring fails because I'm too lazy to clean it properly. For smaller amounts I use the cheapest ladle I could buy. It doles out about 75ml at a time.

I've heard good things about the Mixing Mate but have never used it.

DeKups or PPS 2.0 disposable cups are well worth the cost. I prefer the PPS 2.0 since it has built-in graduations on the cup holder. The DeKups and PPS 1.0 use an insert.

Speaking of Eastwood, I've been using their Concours gun to spray primer and it works well. It's quite a bit better than the cheap purple guns I've used in the past.

A lot of builders use Akzo epoxy primer, including myself. It works really well and it?s tough stuff after it?s hardened. I use stainless ladels into a Pyrex measuring cup. Then mix the two parts. Don?t forget to get some filters and pour through the filter into the gun cup. I use the el cheapo Harbor Freight spray gun for primer and it works fine.

Mixing Mate
 

I highly recommend buying the "Mixing Mate". It is worth every penny since it replaces the lid, stirs the material and allows for precise pouring of the desired quantity. When done I simply put it on the shelf until the next use and keep the mixing mate on the can until the entire can of paint is gone. Then I clean it once and move it to the new can. Wonderful product to have especially since their is little to no wasted material. I don't know about you but I don't like wasting material in paper towels or rags cleaning up drips when this stuff costs hundreds of dollars per gallon.

We used the 3M Accuspray system with SEM epoxy primer with good results.

We even setup one batch with a sealer in battleship gray for the cockpit, it's really robust and when you do ding it no flaking off like with paint. It's also very easy to touch up.

Syringes
 

I use syringes. I have rubberless as well but have not seen any problems with either.
Label the syringe and plunger so they don't get mixed up. Zero waste. Easy clean up.