Primer Gone Bad?

dougs70ss · Aug 10, 2003

I am using Dupont 4904s 2K Urethane Primer that I purchase three months ago. It was very stiff and gooey in the bottom of the can to the point I had to sort of cut it up with a screwdriver. Took me about a half an hour of mixing but I finally got it all to dissolve. Is that typical?

The first coat seemed to go on ok, but the second and third were kinda gloppy. When I sanded it seemed like it wasn't sticking very well to the base metal. I followed the directions did three flash coats 5 mins apart and didn't go over the 45 min pot life.

Is my primer bad or maybe I didnt apply it right. I was using a cheap detail gun - just doing a couple of small parts. I left the gun in laquer thinner for a bit and when I cleaned it there were glops of really thick sticky primer. Really a pain to get it all out of there.

Thanks,
Doug

sevt_chevelle · Aug 10, 2003

I bet the problem is that you didnt stir the primer good enough. Did you stir the primr at home with a screwdriver or have someone install it in a paint shaker? I know not everyone has access to a shaker but just plain stirring with a screwdriver wont cut it.

What I do with latex house paint and even auto paint when am too lazy to drive to the shop, I use a paint stirring stick. I took a piece of round metal stock, I believe I used 5/16 re-rod, and on the end welded a piece say 1x2. Then up the the rod about 3in welded another pice but this time welded it 180 degrees from the other piece, so when you looked down the rod they formed a X. I then place this rod in a electric drill and mix it that way.

Althou I'd prefer not to mix it that way its sometimes the only way,especially when its 10pm and Ive been drinking. But then again I shouldnt be painting

...Eric

70isfine · Aug 10, 2003

I agree. I had a gallon of that stuff sit for a year and it seperated big time. Put it on a shaker or mix it really well and you should be fine. As far as not sticking,that primer is not meant for bare metal, a cut through is ok,but any bare metal bigger than a few inches needs to be primed with a product intended for bare metal.You did add the activator right?

dougs70ss · Aug 10, 2003

I used a stick to stir after breaking up most of the big chunks with the screwdriver. Seemed like I stirred forever, but you are probably right about it not being enough. Added activator and poured through a filter into the gun.

Looks like I need to buy a different(etching?) primer anyway. Dissapointing, the guy at the paint store recommended this primer but didnt ask what it was going over. Also, the tech sheet says it can go over "Properly cleaned and sanded steel and galvanized". Man, how is a rookie supposed to know. Guess I need to search this site before I buy anything.

Thanks for the assist guys.
-Doug

70isfine · Aug 10, 2003

That is a good primer,just spray etch prime(Dupont Variprime) on bare metal,wait 45 minutes and spray your 4904 over it.

baddbob71 · Aug 12, 2003

All primers settle after sitting, I made gizmo for stirring out of an old solid type radio antennea mast. I just chuck it in my cordless drill and it mixes faster than a paint shaker. works good for bodyfiller that has seperated also. I have a one gallon can of waste thinner I keep on the paint bench for cleaning such items-just plop it in and wipe it off-easy.

Primer Gone Bad?

dougs70ss

sevt_chevelle

70isfine

dougs70ss

70isfine

baddbob71

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