epoxy primer in a spray can?

[ASEguy]

I'm stripping an old Allis battery box and want to prime it with epoxy primer. I was in the store yesterday and can't hardly read the cans. Does epoxy primer come in spray cans for small jobs. If so who makes it. I read the Rustoleum primer can and couldn't find the word epoxy anywhere. Thanks Gerard

 

[Plane Bart]

not sure on Epoxy primer in a Rattle can, Rust-o-leum dose have a quality sandable primer for rusty metal, you can use several coats of it to fill in the pitting, scuff lightly between coats.the Single stage paint sticks well too. some of my small parts have the rust-o-leum primer below the sealler and base coat.
check out Valspar tractor paint the black is a good match with my single stage paint

 

[CNKS]

No, true epoxy is a 2 part paint, that is a catalyst is mixed with it before spraying. After a few hours the unused mixed paint/catalyst sets up and is unusable. Thus no rattle can.

 

[ASEguy]

CNKS, What would you suggest for a small battery box. Should I wait until I do the whole tractor or buy a small can of primer?

 

[CNKS]

I use epoxy on everything. I usually wait until I have a number of parts ready to prime, then prime and topcoat on the same or next day. PPG Omni MP170 epoxy primer is about $83/gallon at my dealer, also comes in quarts. Add the catalyst to that price, about $16 for 2 qt (mixed 2 parts primer to 1 part catalyst). You probably won't use a gallon on the whole tractor. Only my preference, but I don't leave primed parts for any length of time. If they are cleaned up and ready to be primed, then they are also ready to be topcoated. MP 170 has to be topcoated within 3 days at 70 degrees, if not you have to scuff or sand it and reapply.

 

[Rod (NH)]

In addition to what CNKS said, you can buy all your epoxy up front if you want. You don't need to buy a small can for a small job. You only need to mix up a small amount for a small job, using the two components. Only the amount of any excess mixed material that you don't use is wasted because of the pot life. The unmixed components are fine until the next time you want to mix up a batch. Don't let the time window of 3 days (for PPG OMNI epoxy only - others have different time windows) concern you too much. It really is a simple matter, if necessary, to hand scuff with a Scotch-Brite hand pad and re-shoot another coat of epoxy just before you are ready to topcoat with your color.

 

[ASEguy]

Wow, that primer is expensive! But I have learned you get what you pay for. I want to do my Allis right. Thanks for the input all, I appreciate it. Gerard

 

[GordoSD]

Any quality auto body supply store can mix you up a rattle can of epoxy primer, and it will be good for a bout 6 hours. Also a new product out where you "activate" the hardener or acvator in rattle cans. It's a little spendy.
Best way as others said. buy a quart of the epoxy primer, and a pint of activator, and a small touchup gun. 8 oz in a touchup will do a nice job on average sedan front fender.

Gordo

 

[Randyr]

I have used Devoe 4160 tank and structure primer. It works well.