Paint/Gillespie questions

[Fluflufpv]

Hello all! I'm working on a non military vehicle (1983 dodge ramcharger) but it seems users on this site use a lot of Gillespie paint so I thought I'd go here. Anyway, I have two major questions:

1) Can Gillespie paint be sprayed directly over epoxy primer? I'm not looking for color accuracy so if the tint of the final spray is off it's not a big deal, just more concerned about adhesion. Additionally, if you can use epoxy primer, should the Gillespie be sprayed within the recoat time of the primer or wait for it to cure completely?

2) Assuming I use hardener ( I don't mind if it's shinier then without it), about how long can I expect before it starts to fade or chalk up badly adding it lives most it's life in the elements (that being said I'm in Washington so sun wise it's not as bad as other places)? If you have pictures of like 5 or 10 years or something that would be great! I've been reading anywhere from 1 to 8 or more years so would really like a few pictures of what an older Gillespie job looks like fade and chalking wise.

If any of you can help out it would be great appreciated!

 

[wheelspinner]

This one here was about 3 years old. Weathered quite well.

 

[Fluflufpv]

This one here was about 3 years old. Weathered quite well.

Thank you! still looks pretty good to me! Anyone else?

 

[Johndon]

Have you painted yours yet? If so how did using the hardener come out?

 

[Fluflufpv]

Have you painted yours yet? If so how did using the hardener come out?

Not yet unfortunately, the body work is taking longer then expected and had some other things come up. I'll update the thread when I get it painted though!

 

[Johndon]

What hardener do you plan on using?

 

[Fluflufpv]

What hardener do you plan on using?

I haven't decided yet, and honestly don't know which stuff to use, I think people here have mentioned the majic branded hardener? Not sure though, I may be mis remembering. We'll see!

 

[Johndon]

That’s what I was thinking of using from Tractor Supply. I’ve heard people say put a cap full of hardener into what I don’t know, but the majic hardener says one pint into one gallon which seems like a lot.

 

[Fluflufpv]

Yeah it does seem like a lot but hey, if that's what it takes then it is what it is. There's probably directions on the bottle or something.

 

[Ray70]

Doesn't look like anyone answered your question about recoat time, but YES for best adhesion you should topcoat within the 1 week window on the epoxy primer. If you wait longer you will loose some adhesion between primer and top coat, unless you scuff the primer first.
Personally I recoat epoxy after an hour usually, with no problems ever encountered.
For hardener you can use any universal enamel hardener, which are typically always 8:1 mix ( 1 pt. to 1 Gl. of UNREDUCED paint ) add reducer after measuring your hardener. for reducer you usually only need about 10%, a little more if your gun sprays it too slowly and bumpy.

 

[Fluflufpv]

Doesn't look like anyone answered your question about recoat time, but YES for best adhesion you should topcoat within the 1 week window on the epoxy primer. If you wait longer you will loose some adhesion between primer and top coat, unless you scuff the primer first.
Personally I recoat epoxy after an hour usually, with no problems ever encountered.
For hardener you can use any universal enamel hardener, which are typically always 8:1 mix ( 1 pt. to 1 Gl. of UNREDUCED paint ) add reducer after measuring your hardener. for reducer you usually only need about 10%, a little more if your gun sprays it too slowly and bumpy.

Thank you for clearing that stuff up!

 

[Mullaney]

Doesn't look like anyone answered your question about recoat time, but YES for best adhesion you should topcoat within the 1 week window on the epoxy primer. If you wait longer you will loose some adhesion between primer and top coat, unless you scuff the primer first.
Personally I recoat epoxy after an hour usually, with no problems ever encountered.
For hardener you can use any universal enamel hardener, which are typically always 8:1 mix ( 1 pt. to 1 Gl. of UNREDUCED paint ) add reducer after measuring your hardener. for reducer you usually only need about 10%, a little more if your gun sprays it too slowly and bumpy.

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Ray70 It might be that nobody answered because there are people like me called "paint hacks". I say without reservation that I am not a real painter. That bumpy look is what I have called orange peel for all these years - and I had no idea it was spraying too slowly. My best fix was more lacquer thinner or reducer. THANKS for the info. That is one of the good parts about working on these trucks. If it doesn't come out perfect, the wire brush and a sander cleans it up enough to try again.

 

[cobra5]

Hello all! I'm working on a non military vehicle (1983 dodge ramcharger) but it seems users on this site use a lot of Gillespie paint so I thought I'd go here. Anyway, I have two major questions:

1) Can Gillespie paint be sprayed directly over epoxy primer? I'm not looking for color accuracy so if the tint of the final spray is off it's not a big deal, just more concerned about adhesion. Additionally, if you can use epoxy primer, should the Gillespie be sprayed within the recoat time of the primer or wait for it to cure completely?

2) Assuming I use hardener ( I don't mind if it's shinier then without it), about how long can I expect before it starts to fade or chalk up badly adding it lives most it's life in the elements (that being said I'm in Washington so sun wise it's not as bad as other places)? If you have pictures of like 5 or 10 years or something that would be great! I've been reading anywhere from 1 to 8 or more years so would really like a few pictures of what an older Gillespie job looks like fade and chalking wise.

If any of you can help out it would be great appreciated!

Yes you can shoot over epoxy primer. I sprayed my 151 in 2009 and it has not had any adhesion problems. My paint still looks good and the only wear is in the footwells on the driver side. I did not use any hardeners when I painted mine. My vehicle is garage kept so fading isn't an issue. I have another 151 that the previous owner rattle caned with Averoe and that paint will fade quickly. I had no room inside so it was subjected to the elements nd faded within a year. I also have a M105 trailer that I shot with Behr paint and it has held up better than the Averoe and they both sat outside the same length of time. I hope this helps you out.

 

[Fluflufpv]

Yes you can shoot over epoxy primer. I sprayed my 151 in 2009 and it has not had any adhesion problems. My paint still looks good and the only wear is in the footwells on the driver side. I did not use any hardeners when I painted mine. My vehicle is garage kept so fading isn't an issue. I have another 151 that the previous owner rattle caned with Averoe and that paint will fade quickly. I had no room inside so it was subjected to the elements nd faded within a year. I also have a M105 trailer that I shot with Behr paint and it has held up better than the Averoe and they both sat outside the same length of time. I hope this helps you out.

Yes, absolutely helped out! Thank you everyone who's been helping me out! I'll make sure to post some pictures when I get my rig painted just for reference for how much the hardener shines up the Gillespie. Gotta work on my roll cage and a few other things before that though so it may be a while....

 

[SgtMajHarper]

Yes, absolutely helped out! Thank you everyone who's been helping me out! I'll make sure to post some pictures when I get my rig painted just for reference for how much the hardener shines up the Gillespie. Gotta work on my roll cage and a few other things before that though so it may be a while....

Just my 2 cents worth, I'm not a painter, just a guy that wanted to save 2 grand from having another guy paint my Gama Goat. I used Gillespie like I have had done to my other vehicles. I bought 4 gallons thinking I should have enough to go over the old faded 3 color camo. I was surprised that just one fill of the sprayer got me maybe half of one side covered. I ended up getting most of 2 coats on the whole rig using under 2 gallons. Now I'm thinking about painting my civvie Jeep using the remainder.....and maybe a trailer.......and maybe some other stuff.

 

[Mullaney]

Just my 2 cents worth, I'm not a painter, just a guy that wanted to save 2 grand from having another guy paint my Gama Goat. I used Gillespie like I have had done to my other vehicles. I bought 4 gallons thinking I should have enough to go over the old faded 3 color camo. I was surprised that just one fill of the sprayer got me maybe half of one side covered. I ended up getting most of 2 coats on the whole rig using under 2 gallons. Now I'm thinking about painting my civvie Jeep using the remainder.....and maybe a trailer.......and maybe some other stuff.

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Nice! Sounds like if Gillespie gave that much coverage - it must me really good stuff!
Just be careful that your dog doesn't stand too close - or he might be green too.