Inferior preparation and refinishing techniques cause auto paint to flake. Over time, this ruins the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Although flaking paint rectification usually is a task for professional body shop technicians, hobbyists can replicate the procedure using simple tools and materials. The secret to a great refinishing job lies in the preparation techniques used, and as long as the new paint is applied to a panel that has been correctly etched, no further flaking should occur.
Instructions
- 1
Plug the blower into an air line and press the trigger to create a flow of air. Pass the tip of the blower over the edges of the flaking paint to remove excess material and continue until the remaining edges of color hold firm to the panel.
2Place a P180-grit sanding disc onto the pad of a random orbital sander and plug it into an air line. Place the sanding disc over the edges of the remaining paint and press down on the trigger to activate the pad and create rotation. Slowly move the sander around the perimeter of the paint so the abrasive qualities of the disk feather back the remaining edges to a smooth finish.
3Exchange the P180-grit sanding disc for a P320-grit sanding disc and sand around the edges of the paint to create a smoother finish and to remove the scratches caused by the coarser disc. Use the air blower to remove excess dust created during sanding, and rub down the rest of the auto body panel with a soft sanding pad to help promote good adhesion when painting begins.
4Carefully wipe down the entire panel with clean cloths soaked in a solvent-based cleaner, then leave it to dry. Use masking tape and paper to isolate the area to be painted and apply two light coats of primer with a 10-minute curing time between each application.
5Let the primer thoroughly dry before rubbing it down to a smooth finish with a soft sanding pad. Make sure all traces of primer overspray are removed. Use the blower to remove any remaining traces of dust before removing the old tape and paper and again cleaning the panel with a solvent-based cleaner.
6Isolate the repaired panel with fresh tape and paper before wiping the surface with a tack cloth. Mix the paint and hardener together at the specified ratio before adding it to the spray gun. Spray the panel with three full coats of material with a curing time of five minutes between each application. Leave the paint to cure overnight before unmasking.
