primer or filler

[69427]

Just received my full lenght cowl hood from VFN. What procedure would you use to prep it for final painting? Would you use a filler for block sanding. Epoxy or high build laquer primer? I will be using PPG concept single stage for the final finish coat from a local dealer.

[Todd Kitchen]

block your hood (gel coat) with 120 grit and fill any low spots with plastic (bondo= is lighter that primer) then reblock with 80-120 grit and primer with a 2-k urethane prime like ppg k-36.

[Rocketron]

i would recommend your first coat on the hood be a epoxy primer first then work on a filler primer, epoxy primer is a very good sealer filler for fiberglass

[Rick_R]

Don't use lacquer primer, it shrinks so all the work you do with it will disappear and will look like crapola once the sun or heat gets to the hood.

[Driven2xs]

Make sure it fits exactly how you want, Dzus included.

Wash 2-3 times with a good detergent and hot water to get all the release agent out. Red scotchbrite scuff pad to break the top pores

Install it on the car, and roll it into the sun for 2 days or so to fully cure the fiberglass

Lightly block it out so you aren't getting into the matte

Seal with Epoxy primer

If there are some big dips, use bondo, then a 2 part glaze like Liquid Ice, let cure.
Then E prime again to seal the bondo/glaze.

Hit with build prime / block out. If you get through the E prime, hit it again

Seal if with a sealer
Paint


You really need to leave that thing in the sun, or take the car to a place with heat lamps. Otherwise, the glass will not fully cure, and you'll be chasing your tail for years.

[totalchaos]

Spray a guide coat over the gel-coat and block it with 100 - 180 grit , fix any low spots and pinholes with a spot putty , then prime with a good high build primer , if possible let the hood sit for a couple days ( primers can shrink ) , guide coat again , block it with 240 - 320 grit , guide coat again then sand with 400 grit either by hand or machine sand. I should point that machine sanding will produce a fine surface than hand sanding , but you should feel very comfortable with your sand skills before attemping it. For the best finish I like to wet sand 600 grit . Then seal with the recomened VOC valve and let the paint fly. Pre-fit the hood and do any fastener work first. Becare in curves and edges ( making deep scratches , low spots , and break thoughs ) . Remember always guide coat any sanding to be done. It doesn't have to be heavy just enough to see it and make sure to cover the entire hood. Hope this helps.

[69427]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!
I have been leaving the hood out in the sun every chance I get. I have washed it with dawn dish detergent, lightly scuffed it with red scotch bright and washed it again. Looking to e-prime and block it this week.
I did however notice that with light shining from behind it was transeunt in some areas. I have a Fast Glass hood on another car from 1982 that the white gel coat is much heaver, like a shower stall, but of course that hood weights 2-3 times as much as this one.
Dose any one have any suggestions on what to do to the underside. Should this be sealed up so that water, oil, or whatever will not effect the finish on the top. There are a few glass strands hanging out here and there and when it was hosed down, water got between the glass and where the foam reinforcing is. I would like to be able to wash or wipe it down from time to time.
Thanks again for all your help.

[gdwrench]

On the underside I would just buzz it with 240/320 grit on a DA and spray some satin black at it....... It will hold on the undersurface and be presentable enough I believe for what your looking for.