Fiberglass-priming method question.

[DarthVader1]

I want to know what would be the best material/method to prime a fiberglass HAN IN CARBONITE front panel, to have the paint to strongly adhere to it just to avoid paint flaking and cracks in the future?

I've seen this happening before with other panels/HIC blocks before, but I need to know what's the best way to go, specially if you're mixing BONDO, FIBERGLASS, and (Balsa) WOOD together, not to mention actual METAL and PLASTIC RESIN in between.

Any input will be really appreciated.

- Robert

 

[exoray]

specially if you're mixing BONDO, FIBERGLASS, and (Balsa) WOOD together, not to mention actual METAL and PLASTIC RESIN in between.

The only way to avoid cracking when mixing unlike mediums like this is to keep it in a humidity and temperature steady enviroment... Short of that humidity and temperature cause different mediums to expand and contract at different rates and will cause cracks...

As for getting paint to stick to fiberglass, good prep work, most people simply don't spend enough time prepping and cleaning prior to painting... You should lightly sand down the entire surface and then give it a complete wipe down with a silicone/wax removing paint prep solution... You can actually get this type of solution at Wal-Mart in the automotive section by the paints...

After it's all clean and prepped then you can primer, again many people try to skip this part and go straight to paint... Choose the same brand primer as the paint you will topcoat with to avoid any reactions...

Now onto the cracks and sorts, you can mix an elasticizer in the paint to help avoid them but it will only offer some degree of resistance, extreme temp and humidity changes will likely create cracks in excess of what any paint elasicizer will be able to overcome... For wood parts you can further eliminate the expansion issues by making sure to completely seal the wood on ALL surfaces front and back...

 

[DarthVader1]

The only way to avoid cracking when mixing unlike mediums like this is to keep it in a humidity and temperature steady enviroment... Short of that humidity and temperature cause different mediums to expand and contract at different rates and will cause cracks...

As for getting paint to stick to fiberglass, good prep work, most people simply don't spend enough time prepping and cleaning prior to painting... You should lightly sand down the entire surface and then give it a complete wipe down with a silicone/wax removing paint prep solution... You can actually get this type of solution at Wal-Mart in the automotive section by the paints...

After it's all clean and prepped then you can primer, again many people try to skip this part and go straight to paint... Choose the same brand primer as the paint you will topcoat with to avoid any reactions...

Now onto the cracks and sorts, you can mix an elasticizer in the paint to help avoid them but it will only offer some degree of resistance, extreme temp and humidity changes will likely create cracks in excess of what any paint elasicizer will be able to overcome... For wood parts you can further eliminate the expansion issues by making sure to completely seal the wood on ALL surfaces front and back...

Thanks for the tips, really good to know all this stuff, even if I'm just a newbie. As for elastizisers or priming BRANDS, do you have any brand name(s) in mind (just to keep track). I had in mind of doing the whole process using automotive paints BTW, so it could look more professional looking.

 

[exoray]

Thanks for the tips, really good to know all this stuff, even if I'm just a newbie. As for elastizisers or priming BRANDS, do you have any brand name(s) in mind (just to keep track). I had in mind of doing the whole process using automotive paints BTW, so it could look more professional looking.

Yeah automotive paints are great, and any dealer that sells them should be able to hook you up with the right primer and elasticizer as well...

If you are stuck doing it with rattle cans your choices are pretty limited...