Painting Over (West System) Epoxy?

[Dougal]

Can I use a hard spray paint over west system epoxy? Maybe something like a spray can of car paint? If not, then other suggestions welcome. It's an epoxy covered plywood mounting board for a solar panel.
Ta!

 

[Tranona]

Abrade then primer, undercoat and topcoat of enamel rather than cellulose.

 

[Avocet]

Or they sell epoxy primers. I know Epifanes do one:

https://www.boatpaint.co.uk/acatalog/Boatpaint_co_uk_Shop_Epifanes_Epoxy_Primer___Two_pot__220.html

 

[prv]

Or they sell epoxy primers. I know Epifanes do one

Epoxy primer is primer made from epoxy, not primer for painting over the top of epoxy. It's mostly used for painting steel.

Pete

 

[TQA]

GOOD INFO HERE http://www.westsystem.com/ss/testing-house-paint-primers/

I have used a variety of primers over the years without ever having an issue providing I removed the amine blush.

 

[lw395]

The stuff that most notably often fails over epoxy is traditional yacht varnish.

 

[Dougal]

GOOD INFO HERE http://www.westsystem.com/ss/testing-house-paint-primers/

I have used a variety of primers over the years without ever having an issue providing I removed the amine blush.

Interesting, I thought it was a particular chemical in SOME epoxies that caused the blushing, and I didn't think West System contained it?

 

[prv]

Interesting, I thought it was a particular chemical in SOME epoxies that caused the blushing, and I didn't think West System contained it?

The version I've heard is that West is actually one of the worse formulations for blush, and mostly owes its preeminent position to good marketing. Obviously works, if so, as it's still what I tend to buy

Pete

 

[macd]

The version I've heard is that West is actually one of the worse formulations for blush, and mostly owes its preeminent position to good marketing.

+1, redoubled.
And, to 'good marketing', add industry-leading distribution.

 

[Dougal]

Don't think I've ever known ANY epoxy to be as 'tough' as West System, whist also retaining a fair degree of flexibility.

I'm also interested to hear if anyone has any experience with any of the epoxy resins designed more for modelling and jewelry etc? Presumably, they must have a fair degree of UV protection, where most marine epoxy has none at all.

 

[DownWest]

Polyeurethanes tend to stick quite well to époxy or polyester. But, the two part sprayables need proper gear and respiratry protection. OK to roll and tip, though.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Is there something special about West's epoxy? I've used non branded stuff from online vendors.

 

[prv]

Is there something special about West's epoxy?

Don't think so.

Pete

 

[macd]

Is there something special about West's epoxy?

Yes, as I implied earlier: it's ubiquitous, widely available, comes as a 'system' with all sorts of related products: all very attractive to chandlery shoppers. Also as suggested, it has an industry-leading propensity for amine blush (especialy in typical UK climatic conditions) and giddy prices.

 

[Avocet]

Epoxy primer is primer made from epoxy, not primer for painting over the top of epoxy. It's mostly used for painting steel.

Pete

That's what was recommended for priming my hull after I stripped the gelcoat off and replaced it with a mixture of epoxy and microballoons. Seemed to stick well enough and fills minor imperfections quite well. I used SP resins and never got anything answering the description of amine blush, but had a few batches that cured a bit milky.