I went to the paint store to pick up some(ppg omni) etch prime, epoxy prime, and ss urethane topcoat to paint my frame. The counter guy told me I didn't need to etch prime sandblasted steel and to just use the epoxy follwed by topcoat. What should I do? I think I should use the etch first. Is one quart of etch, 2 quarts of epoxy, and two quarts of topcoat enough to paint a frame and suspension. Thank you for your help.
Micah

It wouldn't hurt anything to etch it, in fact it can only help. Whether it's NECESSARY or not.....I don't know. I just did mine, I blasted it then shot it with DP40 (epoxy) out of a gravity fed HVLP gun.

I used one and a half quarts on my frame, front and rear control arms, swaybars, backing plates, spindles, and caliper brakets. One quart *SHOULD* cover the frame.

I topcoated with DAR (ppg's acrylic enamel). This stuff is HARD. I've dropped tools on it, dragged all kinds of stuff across it. It's holding up WAY better than my axle which I did with POR15.

My understanding of etching (whether using an acid or as part of a primer) is that it has 3 purposes: 1) can eliminate light surface rust that may barely be visible (and is common after sandblasting), 2) improves adhesion, and 3) should assist in preventing rust from forming underneath an otherwise properly primed and painted surface. I once saw a '67 Camaro at a body shop back in the '80s where all the paint was peeling off the body and underneath was surface rust - their explanation was the guy had stripped it and primed it without first etching the surface. Don't even think about it, use the material recommended by the manufacturer which almost certainly states to use etching primer over bare steel.

Thanks for the replies. You guys confirmed what I thought. I am going to pick up a quart of etching primer tommorrow so I can paint this thing. Thank you,
Micah O'Hara