Paint - Repair Without Repainting
Bulletin No. T 85-62 File in Group 10Number 70
Corp. Ref. No. 8059015
Date March '85
SUBJECT: PAINT REPAIR WITHOUT REPAINTING
MODELS AFFECTED : 1985 FWD DEVILLES AND FLEETWOODS
FIGURE 1 - PAINT IMPERFECTIONS THAT CAN BE REPAIRED WITHOUT REPAINTING:
Many minor paint imperfections on basecoat/clearcoat vehicles such as surface scratches, dirt in paint, chemical spotting, sap and orange peel can be repaired without paint application. Examples of these imperfections are shown in Figure 1.
The basic repair procedure involves wet sanding, compounding and polishing the area. If the imperfection can be removed without sanding through the clearcoat, there is no need to repaint the affected panel. Sand scratches in the finished repair can be avoided by sanding with a 1200 to 1500 micro fine paper such as 3M 02022, 02023 or equivalent grit sandpaper. European "P1200" grit sandpaper is much coarser and, therefore, should not be considered equivalent to U.S. grade sandpaper.
In some instances, repairs can be made by compounding and polishing imperfection area, and should be attempted prior to any sanding.
Compounding and Polishing Procedures
1. Thoroughly wash imperfection area with a water and mild detergent solution. Next, clean with a wax and grease removing solvent to remove any tar or other road film contaminant not removed with the detergent wash.
2. Apply a small amount of fine machine rubbing compound to imperfection area and spread evenly over surface with a clean compounding pad. Coarse compound or dirt introduced to area at this time may create scratches that cannot later be removed.
3. With buffer running at approximately 2700 RPM, compound imperfection area. Keep compounding pad flat against panel while applying light pressure. Check area frequently to observe progress and, if necessary, add more compound. To avoid feature line and panel edge burn-through, they should be covered with masking tape prior to power compounding and hand-rubbed after compounding.
4. If imperfection has not been corrected by preceding steps, proceed directly to step 6. Apply polish to repair area and spread polish evenly over surface.
5. With a clean polishing pad on buffer, keep pad flat to panel and polish allowing the weight and speed (approximately 2700 RPM) of the buffer to do the work. Use polish sparingly to achieve original shine. Machine polish or hand polish repair area first, then gradually work away from repair area to blend into the rest of the panel.
Sanding Procedures
6. If imperfection to be corrected is near adjacent panel(s), mask adjacent panel to protect paint surface from sand scratches.
7. Wet a piece of micro fine sandpaper (1200 to 1500 grit) in a container of water. The addition of a small amount (1 teaspoon per gallon) of liquid detergent to the water will improve wet-out and help lubrication to minimize sand scratches.
8. Keep repair area wet while sanding. Sand lightly and evenly in one direction using straight sanding strokes. Continually wet sandpaper to remove sanding residue and to lubricate sanding surface.
CAUTION: Frequently wipe or squeegee repair to determine when imperfection has been removed. Sand only enough clearcoat to remove imperfection. Sanding through clearcoat into basecoat (color) will require repainting operations.
9. Using a clean soft cloth, wipe repair area to remove sanding residue.
10. Compound paint surface as directed in steps 2 and 3 above. Compound only enough to remove sanding scratches.
11. Polish paint surface as directed in steps 4 and 5 above. Polish only enough to remove compound marks and to raise paint lustre to match adjacent paint surfaces.
Recommended Materials
For making paint repairs without refinishing, the following materials or their equivalent are recommended:
*Color Sanding Paper 3M Wet or Dry #02022
1200 Micro Fine
*Color Sanding Paper 3M Wet or Dry #02023
1500 Micro Fine
Compound 3M Super Duty #05955
Liquid Compound
Polish 3M Final Glazes #05988
Buffing Pad 3M Superbuff Pad #05701
Polishing Pad 3M Superbuff Pad #05705