Question 1

FAQ Disclaimer:

Accepted Answer

These are some of the more common questions that we receive.  The answers given below are generalized responses as every situation is different and could have multiple solutions depending on many different factors.  When in doubt just call the Tech line!

Question 2

Return Policy

Accepted Answer

Unopened and undamaged returns are accepted up to 30 days after purchase for the original purchase price to the original credit card only and are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Returns must be sent via UPS or Fedex Ground only at the purchasers expense. It is illegal to send Hazardous Materials through the United States Postal Service. If the product was damaged when you received it then we will require pictures of the damage prior to shipping the product for return. Make sure you package the products sufficiently with loose fill to avoid damage or spills in transport.

Question 3

Activator Shelf Life

Accepted Answer

All times are based on Activators stored inside at a stable temperature of 55 degrees or higher. Epoxy Primer Activator- Good 3 years unopened Good up 1 year after opening 2K Primer/Sealer Activators- Good 2 years unopened Good 30 days from opening Clearcoat Activators- Good 2 years unopened Good for 6 months after opening

Question 4

Soda blasting – neutralizing techniques?

Accepted Answer

It must be neutralized first or you will have adhesion problems. Call Us!

Question 5

Can i mix your product ratios by weight, for example using a gram scale?"

Accepted Answer

No! Each chemical has a different weight by volume, each product uses a wide variety of different chemicals. Always mix by volume.

Question 6

Can I mix and match activators to make my own speed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, of the same product type of course.

Question 7

Can some activators be used with other products? Ex.- I have some 4002-4 left, can I use that in my 2100 or 4100?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not, our activators are product specific.

Question 8

Can I use another company’s activator with your product, or your activator with another company’s product?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not, our products and activators are specific to their counterparts.

Question 9

What temperature range are the different speed activators good for?

Accepted Answer

Fast up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, Medium/Normal up to 85, Slow up to the low 90. Use Slow or Very Slow for overalls when its 70 or higher.

Question 10

Should I use an accelerator?

Accepted Answer

If you’re in a hurry or lack heat in the winter.

Question 11

Should I use Retarder?

Accepted Answer

If you have a big job and its hot and humid, it absolutely will help, or add to clear for a final Clear Flow Coat, it is also great to add to primer in the summer.

Question 12

Which rust converter do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

None! Epoxy adhesion will be compromised leading to problems. The rust needs to be ground off, or the section cut out and replaced. If you insist you can use Ospho to remove it, but call us for proper neutralizing techniques.

Question 13

What is the pot life of mixed epoxy?

Accepted Answer

48-72 hours.

Question 14

Can I tint my epoxy?

Accepted Answer

Only with another SPI Epoxy

Question 15

What is the time frame to top coat epoxy?

Accepted Answer

Top coat with more epoxy or 2K primer up to 7 days wo sanding. Top coat with base or single stage wo sanding within 24hrs.

Question 16

Can I epoxy directly over the E-Coat or do I need to remove it?

Accepted Answer

Some replacement parts get shot with a lacquer primer, if yours has that you will need to strip it. A simple test is to take a shop rag, wad it up and dampen it with thinner or reducer, rub a 6-8” circular area for 10-15 seconds. If the coating transfers to the shop towel it is a lacquer primer and will need to be removed. If you have only a few specs here and there then you should be safe to simply scuff with a Scotch-Brite pad or 320 grit and shoot epoxy over it.

Question 17

How many hours or days between coats can I wait to spray the epoxy?

Accepted Answer

You can apply additional coats up to 7 days wo sanding assuming the vehicle is stored indoors and not driven.

Question 18

I sprayed the vehicle with epoxy over a month ago, what grit sand paper do I need to use before I lay another coat?"

Accepted Answer

180-320 grit.

Question 19

I sprayed the vehicle with epoxy over a month ago, can I sand or scuff and go straight to top coat?"

Accepted Answer

For basecoats, anything over 6-7 days and you really need to scuff it and spray a sealer coat or another coat of epoxy.

Question 20

Can I just leave my vehicle in epoxy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and many people do. Just know it if it’s not garaged, it will need to be scuff and re-coated every 2-5 years.

Question 21

Can I leave my floor pan, frame, suspension components and firewall in epoxy primer only?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely and thousands of people have over the years, and that is the best thing to do unless you are trying to match the vehicle color.

Question 22

How much should I reduce my epoxy to use it as a sealer?

Accepted Answer

You can reduce it with urethane reducer from 5-50%.

Question 23

Everyone seems to be bragging about your epoxy primer on these internet forums, why?"

Accepted Answer

Our SPI Epoxy Primer has unsurpassed corrosion protection, excellent chemical resistance, dries to a sem-gloss so you can see where your dings are, is easily sandable, and has excellent adhesion to untreated aluminun.

Question 24

What is the maximum temperature your cured epoxy can withstand?

Accepted Answer

Safely- 450 degrees fahrenheit

Question 25

What is the difference between 2.1 VOC Euro Clear and Euro Clear?

Accepted Answer

2.1 VOC Euro Clear uses a 2.1VOC compliant solvent and mixes 4:1. While Euro Clear mixes 4:1:1 with both a catalyst/activator and urethane reducer.

Question 26

I'm doing a restoration quality paint job, so which clear should I buy?"

Accepted Answer

Universal Clearcoat is our premium restoration clear which we have built our name on since 1997. Just one of the huge advantages Universal Clear has is it never becomes hard to buff, which is important when you paint a car in pieces and assemble months later.

Question 27

Will SPI products work with my xxxx brand of basecoat?

Accepted Answer

Yes! SPI primers, clears, and additives work with all common modern basecoat systems including waterborne bases.

Question 28

What is the shelf life of reduced basecoat?

Accepted Answer

Several years if sealed and stored properly.

Question 29

Are your products legal in California, Delaware, or Canada?"

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the product says 0.0 VOC or 2.1 VOC, then it is legal to use in these restricted areas.

Question 30

What's the difference between 4.4 VOC Universal Clear and 2.1 VOC Universal Clear?

Accepted Answer

The only difference is 2.1 VOC Universal Clear simply users a special compliant solvent so it can be sold in California, Delaware, and Canada. Some customers say 2.1 VOC Universal Clear has a little more flow to it as well.

Question 31

What are your clears based on?

Accepted Answer

Every one of our clear coats is polyurethane based.

Question 32

What's "Production" about your Production Clear?"

Accepted Answer

Only the price! Unlike anything else in this price range, our Production Clear is a premium upper-medium solids true polyurethane product that only requires two coats even if you want to wet sand and buff. While not very profitable for us to make, this clear will blow you away when compared to other 4:1 clears.

Question 33

What's your most popular 2k Primer?

Accepted Answer

Most of our customers find that our Regular Build 2K Primer is perfectly suited for both collision and restoration work.

Question 34

What's "Turbo" about Turbo Primer?"

Accepted Answer

While all our 2K primers are sandable in 30-40 minutes, Turbo Primer is 100% cured within 3 hours which makes it perfectly suited for high volume production and restoration shops.

Question 35

When do i need to use your High Build Primer?

Accepted Answer

Our High Build Primer comes in handy for very rough work, so think of it as your last resort before using polyester primer.

Question 36

Do you offer a polyester primer?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 37

What is the mil difference between regular and high build primer?

Accepted Answer

Two coats of High Build equals three coats of Regular Build. That’s all.

Question 38

What is the speed difference between sanding times in Turbo 2k and Regular 2k?

Accepted Answer

None.

Question 39

My vehicle was originally painted with enamel. Can I apply your products over it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the enamel was activated. If you are unsure if the enamel is activated, spray a small test coat, if un-activated it will wrinkle almost immediately. If it wrinkles then it needs to be stripped.

Question 40

My vehicle was just painted with activated enamel, how soon can I apply your Clear over the activated enamel?"

Accepted Answer

Wait a minimum 4 hours to overnight, but we would prefer overnight for safety. Lightly tack off with a tack cloth first.

Question 41

My vehicle is currently painted with Lacquer, what basic steps should I take?"

Accepted Answer

It must be stripped, anything less than stripping is a short-term gamble.

Question 42

What is the difference between Wax and Grease removers? Which one on bare metal, which on primer?"

Accepted Answer

Waterborne is the most common in the restoration shops and on bare metal and the solvent borne is most common in body shops due to its speed.

Question 43

How long should I wait before the next step after cleaning with Waterborne Wax and Grease Remover?

Accepted Answer

30-60 minutes over bare metal to make sure its flashed out of the porous metal. Same with plastics.

Question 44

Can I clean over body filler work with Wax & Grease remover?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but body filler is porous and will absorb the water content from the Wax & Grease remover. This means it will need extended time to dry otherwise it can cause bubbling of the epoxy or primer it is coated with. Blow it with the compressor air nozzle and wait a minimum overnight to 24 hours to allow it to fully dry, even if it already looks dry!

Question 45

Can I run down to the local box store and grab some lacquer thinner if I run short on reducer for mixing?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not, lacquer thinner is a much lower grade and may contain more moisture than a urethane grade reducer.

Question 46

How do I determine if I need to use Plastic Adhesion Promoter?

Accepted Answer

Cut a sliver of plastic off the back and put it in a cup of water. If it’s a floater, use the Promoter.

Question 47

Do you recommend any specific paint guns?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 48

What tip sizes should I use for each step?

Accepted Answer

See each product's Tech Sheet.

Question 49

How do i adjust my paint gun?

Accepted Answer

Check under our Products menu above, there are two articles titled "Adjusting Your Gun" and "Gun Adjusting Guidelines". ​

Question 50

What should I use to clean my paint gun?

Accepted Answer

Thinner or acetone are most common.

Question 51

Where should I be regulating air pressure?

Accepted Answer

At the gun regulator only! You want as much psi at the compressor and to the end of your hose as possible. You will want a minimum of 125PSI at the wall or compressor, then regulate down to the 18-40lbs needed with the gun trigger pulled.

Question 52

I’m thinking of renting or buying a compressor- what Gallon, CFM, HP rating do you recommend?"

Accepted Answer

The absolute bare minimum to paint an allover is a 5HP 220v with a 60-gallon tank. Anything less than that and you’ll be painting the car in sections/pieces.

Question 53

Do I need high-dollar air dryer system?

Accepted Answer

No but they do a great job and are a must for high-end paint work. Keep your compressor drained of water too.

Question 54

Do I need an inline water trap/filter?

Accepted Answer

You need air that is clear of water and oil- there are many ways of doing this.

Question 55

I think I want a dryer, what should I get?"

Accepted Answer

Look for a system like the DAD-500, they run about $700, but you can often find knock-off’s in the $200 range.

Question 56

What are you hours of operation?

Accepted Answer

Monday through Thursday 8AM to 4:30 or 5PM, and Friday 8AM to 3:00PM ET.

Question 57

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and pre-paid checks only.

Question 58

Do you accept PayPal, Bitcoin or other forms of online payment?"

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 59

Do you sell sandpaper, respirators, paint guns, paint sticks and mixing cups?"

Accepted Answer

No, we only sell what we make.

Question 60

Do you mix basecoat colors to paint codes?

Accepted Answer

No, we do offer some single colors though.

Question 61

Do you have distribution in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes, contact Doug Kennedy @ 519-437-9193 for all Canadian orders.

Question 62

Can i buy your products online anywhere or how do i find a jobber?

Accepted Answer

No. Simply give us a call at 706-781-2220 to see if we have a local SPI Jobber in your area, if we don't then we can ship to you direct and shipping is FREE!

Question 63

Do you sell your products through WD warehouses?

Accepted Answer

No. This is how we are able to offer our retailers exclusive territories.

Question 64

Are you actively seeking jobbers to sell your products in the US as well as globally?

Accepted Answer

yes! Not only do we offer low minimum freight prepaid orders, but we will also protect your territory as well.