I bought some spray bomb etching primer for under my vinyl top, and i was wondering what would be the best way to apply, over clean, rust free metal, then primer sealer, then evercoat? i dont want any more rust under this top so im trying to do it right. Any suggestions are appretioated.

dont want to speak for martinsr but when I did my last malibu I took top to bare metal, sprayed it with etching primer,then 2k filler primer then painted it with bc/cc just like if it was never going to have a vinyl top put back on. this way it should last a long time.

Any reply by Martin Sr would be great, but the brand of paint was Martin Sr(tm) napa spray bomb etching primer.

I'm with Michael, apply REAL etch primer and a 2K, then paint it just like it isn't going to get a vinyl top.

Just my opinion here but if you're looking to do this right stay away from the spray bombs. These primers are ideal for small cut throughs but I don't think they're designed for complete panel priming. I usually just prime with three coats of epoxy then single stage urethane black under the vinyl top if the owner isn't concerned about color. I think most all of the etching primers are very soluable so it would be of interest to apply a good sealer over it to act as a solvent barrier for the adhesives which might liquidate the primer compromizing adhesion etc. Bob :rolleyes:

Etches in spray bomb form are just what bob said they were, used ONLY for small cutin spots.

The only time the spray bomb etch gets used in the shop is when mixing up regular etch to spray throu a gun is NOT warrented because the area is too small.

You want to do it right dump that spray bomb etch and get the real deal. A few ex's would be S-W EGB980, Duponts variprime and PPG dx1791 or DPX170/171

Interesting info on the acid etch spray bombs recently from a Sikkens paint rep, according to Sikkens they have tested most all of the available aresol etching primers to find that they contain no acid. Supposedly it is illegal to package phospheric acid in an aresol? Just what I heard :confused:

A good way to see if that spray bomb can contains the etching acids is spray some on a piece of tinfoil and then crumple it up in a ball. Unfold the ball if the etch falls off it contains NO etch and the product should be avoided.
The good etches in bomb form will STICK and NOT fake off that tinfoil.

Ive heard this from several good sources. The only ones that Ive found that work are S-W EGB988 and Upols acid etch #7

I plan on strpping my roof bare then coating with POR15 before installing the new vinyl