Shelf life of primers?

[Bean Counter]

Dumb, DUMB question time - I have some PPG epoxy and high-build primer, sitting in the original cans, never mixed. It's been kept in a cool environment, never subjected to temp changes or humidity. Any suggestions on what the shelf life might be on these? I know I've had it several years but can't remember exactly when I bought it - but I'd like to use it now if it's still viable.

Thanks,
David

[pwdcougar]

I thought I read on one of my cans of PPG DX primer that it was only good for a year un opened.

[72bowtiestepper]

I would mix a small amount up & spray a scrap sheet metal part that was clean...after drying try sanding it & if it seems OK, use it. I have paint & primer a LOT older than 1 yr. that I have used with good results.

[MARTINSR]

The hardener is the BIG deal, if it's been opened and exposed to oxygen, that's the issue.

Ok, this is coming from a former paint rep and painter for many years:

What is the WORK worth to overcome a failure? I don't know about your extra time from making a living and family but mine is DAMN valuable and worth MUCH more than what that primer is worth!

I recently threw out a few thousand dollars in primer, clear, paint and hardener. I had many gallons of clear and primer. And these hardeners were never opened. I just thought, I am not going to work my butt off and get something finally painted to have it fail. It's not worth it, it's just not worth it. The way I look at it is if I were to apply it to a few fenders over bondo work and all and it were to fail, what would I pay to make it all go away and not have the extra work of stripping it all down and re-doing it? I'll tell you what, I would pay a hell of a lot more than what that primer costs thats for sure!

Check out SPI https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/ I have been getting epoxy primer from them now for the last few years. It is an AWESOME product, I mean really super. They ship for free, it's on my door step in a few days, done deal. I will be getting my paint and clear from them when I am ready for that.


Brian

[Foot Stomper]

Call your local PPG distributor and give them the batch code and ask them.

[MARTINSR]

That is a good answer too Foot Stomper! IF it hasn't been open though. That makes all the difference.

Brian

[Bean Counter]

Thank you, everyone, for the help. I'll check with PPG - but I'm pretty sure that the primer will be out of date. And I certainly don't want to take a chance on screwing up my latest project. My dad always told me to do things right the first time - so I'm confident that I'll be picking up some new primer very soon.

Thanks again,
David

[Dead Parrot]

If you have a buddy that uses his truck to haul stuff, offer to repaint the inside of his bed for free as a test for your paint. It is going to get scratched up anyway so if something goes bad with the paint, no real loss.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

Thank you, everyone, for the help. I'll check with PPG - but I'm pretty sure that the primer will be out of date. And I certainly don't want to take a chance on screwing up my latest project. My dad always told me to do things right the first time - so I'm confident that I'll be picking up some new primer very soon.

Thanks again,
David

Funny story with my dad on this subject. My dad has been gone now 15 years. I used to stay at their house over the weekend when the live in nurse was off. One afternoon I was making them lunch and there was some hamburger that looked old in the fridge. I asked him how old it was, he said "No big deal just cook it, that's three dollars of meat." I said to him "How much would you pay to make you feel good if you woke up in the middle of the night vomiting?" LOLOLOL He looked at me and I could see he "got it" and he said "Throw it away." LOLOLOL

Brian

[72bowtiestepper]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

If you have a buddy that uses his truck to haul stuff, offer to repaint the inside of his bed for free as a test for your paint. It is going to get scratched up anyway so if something goes bad with the paint, no real loss.

Great Idea ! Like I said in a earlier post...I have used paint & primer years old with no bad results, but I don't paint vehicles for a living...just my own stuff as a hobbiest, so proceed with caution if you decide to try using it.