Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

  • Sdaniels2010
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Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

10 Jul 2022 17:44
#870167
I've got a few dents that will need filler.  I'm taking the tank all the way down to bare metal.  Do I use self-etching primer or epoxy & do I lay that before or after the bondo?
1981 KZ440 A2 LTD

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  • Nessism
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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

10 Jul 2022 19:48
#870173
I bondo first, then epoxy primer, and lastly, fill primer as needed.
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  • Irish Yobbo
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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

10 Jul 2022 22:04
#870178
Body filler is designed to stick directly to bare metal - your filler should have instructions on exactly what you need to do.

Etch primer isn't necessary for steel, but can give a better bond. It will often react with anything that's not the bare metal though - like filler. Some etch primers can go over fillers, but unless it specifically says it can, I would just stick to the epoxy primer.
1981 KZ750 LTD
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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

15 Jul 2022 14:15 - 15 Jul 2022 14:16
#870419
Here's where I'm at...watched a few videos on using guide coats, foam blocks to sand contours, etc.dents are filled but for the tank badge bracket, should the bondo be spread out a bit further?  I can just make out the top edge & one end of the bracket but I don't feel them.  Everything feels smooth, no ridges or obvious low/high spots but I've never done this before.  The black is what was left from spraying a guide coat.     
1981 KZ440 A2 LTD
Last edit: 15 Jul 2022 14:16 by Sdaniels2010.

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  • calum
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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

16 Jul 2022 14:12 - 16 Jul 2022 14:16
#870460
After the bondo/primer I do the same as Nessism and put a coat of fill primer on then sand and repeat until the transition disappears.
Last edit: 16 Jul 2022 14:16 by calum.
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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

16 Jul 2022 15:43
#870467
After the bondo/primer I do the same as Nessism and put a coat of fill primer on then sand and repeat until the transition disappears.
That's what I ended up doing.  I put epoxy down, followed by 3 coats of filling primer before sanding.  It's looking pretty good, as good as I was hoping for anyway.  Put one more layer of fill, plan on shooting some black primer for a guide coat to deal with any highs or lows & then on to color & clear.
1981 KZ440 A2 LTD

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Re: Tank prep - primer or bondo first?

20 Jul 2022 09:32 - 20 Jul 2022 18:35
#870716
Okay, painting is done...how long should I wait before putting gas in it?  I used Spray Max 2K clear coat & the only info I can find about drying time is how long to wait between coats, no mention of complete curing time.
1981 KZ440 A2 LTD
Last edit: 20 Jul 2022 18:35 by Sdaniels2010.

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