Topic: project - paint my tank - cb500 four

[ahwyeah]

Hey guys, just joined the forum after getting some great advice and wanted to share my process as I paint my tank. Here is the original tank and paint.
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo1.jpg
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo2.jpg

Typical fade with a few scratches, dents etc. I went to autozone and got the automotive paint stripper in the can: It took about 5 coats to get to this point...
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo3.jpg

After scrapping the paint, the stripes didn't allow the stripper to get underneath so I had to do another few coats to get the rest:
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo5.jpg
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo10.jpg

I sanded the bare metal and it showed me where all the little dents are:
before sanding-
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo.jpg
After sanding -
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo6.jpg

Now it's time for filler- I chose to go with bondo instead of spot filler, only because that's all autozone had.  Not sure if this really matters- This is after three rounds of filler and sanding - my fingers hurt.
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo7.jpg
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo8.jpg

Ok, ready to prime.  Here is where I think I made a big mistake: Check the can-
http://billyjoeclements.com/cb500/photo11.jpg

After 4 coats and three rounds of sanding I find out that I need to take all the primer and bondo off and use self etching automotive primer!!!  Man, how did I miss this.  Anyway, I'm gonna use a urethane paint from vintagehondapaint.  I wanted to protect the metal as I wait for the paint kit, so I decided to use this primer and then just order the paint. Alright, so now I need to re-strip, sand the bondo, re-apply bondo, sand, bondo, sand...

I'm thinking of using the automotive sherwin williams self etching primer in the spray can. Any thoughts? Anyone know if that will work with a urethane paint and clear? I've read where you should not use aerosol primers?

more updates to follow...

[ben.cb500]

am doing same, have just finished filling dings with 3m UV activated glazing putty. I bought a can of filler primer similiar. Why is it no good and what does etching primer get you? Thanks

[fastbroshi]

  It's not like a wasted effort with that filler primer.   I'm not an expert painter, but yes, you probably would've been better off with the etching type primer.  It really digs into the metal and get a good hold on it, where the other stuff might not be so forgiving if it met with an errant fingerprint.  If you're confident in your prep before you painted the current primer I say keep going.