Filler or Primer first?

[rupertw]

I have a bare aluminium body tub which is going to require quite a bit of filling to get it smooth, and I'm not sure at which point to apply primer.
Everything I've read elsewhere on the internet says different things!

[dodgerover]

Filler first or its only stuck as well as the paint its on top of.

[bobman]

If filling first make sure its meant to go over bare metal as most of the good stuff I use aren't, make sure its useable on aluminium, Fillers on aluminium isn't a great idea, lead loading would be better, or you could have a chat with your supplier and see what high build filler-primers they have but I'd check its ok over aluminium too, I worked on a 1976 NYC cab and it had over a inch of some type of epoxy mastic fillers all over was obviously done in the states but it ddn't look like a car that was covered in fillers till we made cuts in it. that's how they get cars looking die straight, plaster em up an block em to desired shape basically, my guys say there stuff can be built up to about 60mm+ over 3days in a oven if you wanted

[steveo3002]

filler onto bare metal or epoxy primer , if using other primers it goes on afterwards

[steveg]

I didn't know you could stick lead on aluminium panels, do you use the same flux etc to do it ?

I worked for a company who made carbon fibre bodied cars and the outer panels were all finished using some sort of high build primer and much hand finishing.

[Good Scrap]

Upol galv-x is specifically for aluminium and galvanised surfaces, make sure you etch priime as your first coat when you do get onto paint.

[usedabused]

Go to your local automotive paint supplier and ask them,

The problem is there are so many products out there if you ask in a public forum you will only get peoples opinions based on their experience (or what they have read ).

That is of course generally the best way,However there are so many products and systems out there your never going to be able to extract the wheat from the chaff,

Ask one supplier go with their products and blame them if you have issue's,,,

One big problem you have is that its winter and any form of body prep in winter comes with plenty problems without product application issue's too.

[rupertw]

Thanks for all of the replies, it seems like I have quite a few options. I'll head down to my local bodywork place and see what they say. It's tempting to let someone else do all the work, but I imagine it would result in a very large bill!

[DavidB]

Dec 13, 2014 14:16:50 GMT usedabused said:

One big problem you have is that its winter and any form of body prep in winter comes with plenty problems without product application issue's too.

Just 'lol'ing' at your reply in your signature link!