Self etch or not......

[whiteblur]

I'm wondering weather or not to use self etch after my parts are blasted. I'm not for nor against it but wondering why some do and some don't. They say to use it on bear metal but I know numerous ppl that don't use it. Alot of body shops don't even use self etch and never have any problems with the primer and paint they apply. One of the guys in my town that has built many trucks for him self as well as others (show quality) doesn't use it either. All the cars and trucks I've seen without etch look just as good many yrs later as the ones with. I'm guessing its just a preference thing.

[71PA_Highboy]

Do you wear a belt? Your pants will stay up on their own if they fit...

Some people feel the extra security of the self etch is worth the additional cost on bare metal.

Use what you feel is appropriate for the metal you are working.

[mrollings53]

Most primers nowadays do the etching for you as well.

[whiteblur]

Its getting me bent all outa shape, cant decide what to do. Idk if i should try and save my butt for problems down the road or if the primer will cut it, itself.

[67mann]

All I can say is......look at most of are truck(in original form)after 40yrs of life....maybe faded but the paint is still there....unless they lived in the rust belts

I don't remember using "self etching"primer in Boces(84-85)and I'm sure they wern't using it in the late 60's-early 70's. Prep the metal right and both will stick just fine

[grabberblue72]

i was asking my buddy this same question the other day, he said that his shop uses an etch wipe, they are able to wipe any bare metal down and avoid the filler areas , before spraying with filler primer. according to him, its supposed to be a beter method. im not sure, but i bet its cheaper to.