In depth How-To requested

[redlightningsvx]

Originally Posted by plantchick

I hope I don't give you cause to regret this... I'll try not to



At the moment I'm only working on chips/scratches in the hope it'll give me skills/confidence to tackle bigger things and this is one of the problems I'm having. I get feathering in principle, but am not doing so well in practice. How exactly do you know you've broken through the clear coat? In trying to wet sand (1500-2000 & Meguiars fine cut) the edges of areas I've touched up smooth, I've obviously not only gone through clear coat, but worn back some of the colour paint around it - not to metal, just fading the colour depth. I've started taping around chips & areas leaving a tiny little square, which helps, but that still leaves blending edges into the existing paint -preferably without repeating my mistakes!

Then..... If I do get the guts to try for the whole door panel, is there a way to paint the very edge (where the usal opening scrapes are) without having to remove the door?

Also, would you have the spot repair document mentioned? (PD 0700)

Thanks in advance,

Tania.

Ok, when you break through the clear coat you will see a dull basecoat. From what you are saying you are fixing stone chips on the edge of the door beside the handle correct? If so you will have to paint the door, You must sand the chips out with 180, then 320, and prime them. After that sand the primer and get the rest of the door preped with 800 and a grey pad. Then when you get ready for paint back-mask the door the whole way around and mask any trim, Put paper all around the door, then cover the remainder of the car up with plastic. Once your ready for paint wipe the panel with a wax and grease remover, then a tack cloth to remove dust/dirt. Ok now when you apply you base coat you want to blend the color out so spray the color in a flicking motion towards the center of the door, wait for it to dusk, then tack it off again. Do this 2-3 times then put on your clear coat. If your sanding out scratches in the clear as long as you can't feel them with your finger nail they will come out easy. For all my nib/buff stuff I use 2000grit wet and go in a circular motion across the whole scratch, then machine buff it with a heavy compound and its out.

[redlightningsvx]

Ok here's some pics for a walkthough:
Directions:
First sand the area with 80grit. Note the spots near the edge which have some depth, these are the dents/low spots.

Next spread some of your glazing/icing putty over the dent left/right and up/down over the 80grit scratchsand your dent.

Next gude coat your putty and then sand untill the guide coat is gone so you can see if you need to add more putty. If you don't need to add more putty then sand the area with 320grit.

Now prime your area, this isn't the spot I showed in the pics above but I'm using this for a referance.

Then when that's dry, guide coat it and sand with 400 grit wet untill the guide coat is removed.

Then re-guide coat the area and sand it again with 600grit wet untill the guide coat is gone. then you are ready for paint.