Primer/Paint Small Areas in Engine Bay

[MikeD930]

I'm in the process of adding reinforcements to the rear shock towers and replacing the rear sway bar brackets in my guards red 930. But before I weld in the gussets and sway bar brackets can anyone give me pointers/suggestions on what to apply to surfaces that will be trapped (between gussets and body) and what type of primers and paint to apply to these small areas? I researched zinc weld through primer but seems it's not effective against corrosion? I was hoping that a simple 2K spray can paint along with compatible primer is all I needed for small areas of painting guards red color within the engine bay. What have others done in this situation?

[Dpmulvan]

I use upol weld thru copper primer. For your gussets some 2k epoxy primer, let it flash then either your basecoat, clear or single stage over the epoxy.

[Monkey Wrench]

I agree use a 2 part epoxy , I'd de-rust it best you can anyway and use a rust inhuibitor first then wash then paint.

if metal is bolted to other metal and it doesnt; show I use undercoat or a tar like substance so when you draw the bolts up it can oooze out leaving no gap for capillary action or rust to start up in. cleanup any oooze out with paint thinner. there are likely other things that will work, butyl tape for window sealing, for example. or a tube of butyl sealing compound. if you are thrify maybe try roof patch stuff.. if you need to paint over it you need a paintable goop or similar. I'd just look and see whats on the shelf. RTV or gasket goop, then ok.

some might like por 15 but check if por i5 is ok to paint over, Im not sure on that.

you can always paint over and use guards red after epoxy.. if you have some good epoxy primer around, in any colour.

[MikeD930]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I decided to go with Spray-Max 2K spray paint (one can of grey color 2K primer and one can of Guards Red 2K base paint). I wanted to go with brush on method but I'd have way too much paint/hardener/reducer left over. Here's my result after welding on the swaybar mounts and shock tower gussets and spray painting (I wore full cover suit, gloves and full face mask with proper filters). I applied seam sealer to close off any open areas to prevent water intrusion.