Question for painters epoxy primer

[mokeypoole]

I am going to paint my superglide with epoxy primer.  I want the grey dull look.  Should I put a clearcoat with matte over it or will it be tough enough not to scratch easy?

[Big Dan]

Mokey,
I'm no painter, but I did learn a lot while painting my bike last winter. HopefullyMike (Seattledyna) will chime in with the real scoop. Anyways, as I understand it, you would want to clear over it with a top-coat clear. Epoxy primer is indeed tough, but it isn't meant to be a top-coat. There's no UV protection, and I believe even the epoxy stuff is pretty porous by design. Stuff spilled on it gets in to it. Even clear that is designed for mid-coat becomes problematic when used as a top-coat, due to no UV protection.

Again, this is only my understanding speaking from very limited knowledge. If Mike doesn't pop in, call your local paint supplier and ask them. The guys at my local place were extremely helpful for me (when I couldn't get ahold of Mike). 

[seattledyna]

the PPG DP50LF epoxy primer can be left on indefinetly, excellent protection and corrosion resistance, but it does mar easily, PPG makes a low gloss clear urethane that you would want to use for durability.
check with a local auto paint supplier, they can fix you up with everything you need for that look...(wont be cheap though) paint prices are going up fast!

[gryphon]

I left a car in DP primer (don't remember the number, it's the black DP) for about 4 years with no problems but I wasn't worried abut scuffs or anything like that. Just wanted a waterproof coating on it. Providing that you don't have any mud work on your sheet metal, have you considered powdercoating. Holds up really well and very reasonable cost. Just make sure you go to a coater who's used to doing bike stuff and not just fence posts. I'm always being asked who did my paint (glossy orange/red). Looks great.

[seattledyna]

I drove a 48 Ford pickup in DP primer for 5years before I finally got around to painting it , held up just fine, would throw another coat on it once in awhile just to spruce it up a bit, lol

[mokeypoole]

the PPG DP50LF epoxy primer can be left on indefinetly, excellent protection and corrosion resistance, but it does mar easily, PPG makes a low gloss clear urethane that you would want to use for durability.
check with a local auto paint supplier, they can fix you up with everything you need for that look...(wont be cheap though) paint prices are going up fast!

Seattledyna

Can I put this clear coat right over the primer?  How much do you think it will cost to buy a quart of the low gloss clear, the activator and the thinner?

[seattledyna]

you can clear over the primer, the minimum quantities are 1qt, the clear will be around $60, activator $80, primer $40, primer activator $70, thinner $20, misc, stuff like sandpaper, scotchbrite pads, tape etc. you can get cheaper elsewhere, these are all an estimate, and the walk in guy pays more than a shop does, some paint stores really mark up for the weekenders.
you will be able to paint 3 or 4 bikes with that order, but its the least amount you can get

you can get cheaper paint, but this is one of those things "ya get what you pay for"
btw, the flat clear you want is PPG DCU2060

[ChopperBob66]

The DP primers would be an excellent choice for what you are trying to do. As others have said, it's extremely durable with good protection. And you can get it in several colors. (many people ask what's the purpose in different colored primers, since it's going to get painted over anyway (usually). Example: Red paint is alot brighter, and "pops" alot nicer when sprayed over white primer, versus black or grey)
Anyway when I had my paint shop in San Diego, I had a customer who was an "old school" hot-rodder. He wanted his '34 ford painted purple primer. I used the white DP, and the paint supplier tinted it with a little purple. I last saw the car about 2 years ago and still looks good (paint was 8 years old).
But, as SeattleDyna says, paint prices are really going up.