The reason being that the acid/chemicals in the etch primer "could" be trapped under the filler and cause it to break down if the filler is applied over the etch primer. The self-etching primer is usually gray or olive drab gray but the color is just there to show you where you’ve put it on and it is very thin and one thin coat is enough. Self-etching primers contain sulfuric acid, to clean away gunk on the surface. The Self Etch Primer is a good first step for bare metal, or an Epoxy Primer. When using epoxy primer it doesn't matter which goes first. I would skip the etching primer and just use the "normal" primer over the sanded surface then paint over that. Typically the next step is apply a primer surfacer, 2-3 coats then block sand with 320-grit. This helps remove sanding scratches and small surface defects. Self etching only needs to be applied to Bare Aluminum. I had no need for a gallon of DP90 + gallon of Catalyst. For this reason, self-etching primers are not recommended over clear coat finishes or existing paint. Self-etching primers have to have another primer over the top of them or the paint won’t adhere. Allow the final coat of Self Etching Primer to dry for a minimum of 3-4 hours before dry sandpaper. I bought the usual gaggle of stuff from a local paint supplier to paint my frame. Hope this helps, Mark Dries to the touch in 10 minutes and to handle in 15-30 minutes. You can apply it over paint or bondo but it is only effective on bare metal. Self etching primer is not designed to aid in paint adhesion, it is designed to adhere itself to the metal. Putting more of the primer won’t make it work better. There is NO reason to sand etch. Allow more time at cooler temperatures. I then use a primer sealer or epoxy primer to seal up the surface then apply the top coats. Do not use near open flame. When using etch primer the filler should go on to the bare metal first and then all is covered with etch primer. Just make sure you shoot the first coat of epoxy with NO reducer, just 1:1 with activator. Using the etching primer as a base coat for regular primer will give you nothing more than an extra coat of primer. Once applied and dried (couple of hours) Use a 3m Scotch Brite pad to knock down any nibs and then shoot the Bare metal primer over the entire Prepped(Acetone wipe down) surface. Some like S-W "Vinyl wash" clearly state DO NOT sand it. (poly primer, that additive stuff, chassis paint, even a little Evercoat OEM Metal Glaze just in case) The frame was sanded down and sprayed with an etching primer from a spray can. At one time S-W's "regular" etch primer was actually called a "surfacing" etch primer and it would sand pretty well. But that was just nuts and you will not find any reference to … It can’t be an epoxy primer, but it can be a urethane primer. Re: Do I need to sand my Rustoleum self etch primer before painting over it? If you wait more than 12 hours you should, like he said scuff down with a Red scotch pad and reapply, then prime. Epoxy works pretty good over Acid etch as the epoxy does not tend to melt the etch like, say a 2k primer would, only issue will be is the etch is the weakest link but normally OK, if done this way. Your self etch primer should be just a really light piss coat, you don't want a thick coat, it could cause your top coats to crack over time. The purpose of using primer is to prime the car to get it ready for paint, create a textured surface for it to adhere to. applying the next coat. That etches into the metal and then the primer chemically bonds to it. DRY & RECOAT Dry and recoat times are based on 70°F (21°C) and 50% relative humidity. In the meantime, it’s important to talk to your paint dealer about the time window allowed between the primer and paint topcoat. 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