Expert: Michael Kakuk - 6/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am repairing certain areas of my car and am using 2k solid paint (white) I am having problems with the dry edge blending it in to the rest of the body.I was hoping you could help me please.I have bought a tin of blending thinner and it suggests you do a few light passes on the dry edge,i do that but it does not seem to blend in.When i try to colour sand it and polish it looks like an island and can't get it out,please help.
         Best wishes
         Peter

ANSWER: PETER....IS THE PAINT A BASE COAT CLEAR COAT OR SINGLE STAGE ?

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BLEND A SINGLE STAGED PAINT IF THE PAINT IS A SINGLE STAGE APPLICATION.
THE DIRECTIONS ON THE PAINT CAN WILL TELL YOU.

IF IT IS A 2 STAGE PAINT AND YOU ARE SEEING ISLANDS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUFF IT OUT.
WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS REMOVING THE MATERIAL AND SEEING THE EDGE.

TRY USING A WETTER EDGE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU ARE USING AS A TOPCOAT.

MIKE



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks very much mike for your answer.It is a single stage 2k finish yes?Is there any way Mike i can overcome this,do i have to do the full panel??Once again,great service,highly recomended.
         Peter

Answer
PETE....I RECENTLY PAINTED A HONDA WITH SINGLE STAGE AND FOUND IT TO BE DIFFICULT.
YOUR BEST BET IS TO SPRAY THE ENTIRE PANEL AND BE DONE WITH IT.

WET SAND WITH 3M 3000 GRIT DA PAPER AND BUFF. DON'T ASK ME WHY IF YOU TRY TO USE ANY OTHER GRIT WHEN WET SANDING YOU WILL HAVE POOR RESULTS......I BUSTED MY TAIL TRYING TO GET THE RESULT THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR AND FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY.

PREP THE PANEL AND REMOVE EVIDENCE OF YOUR PRIOR ATTEMPTS....CLEAN PANEL...
SPRAY PANEL AND THEN WET SAND AND BUFF AND YOU SHOULD HAVE A DECENT RESULT.


NOTE: 3M 3000 WET SANDING DA PAPER IS VERY EXPENSIVE  SO YOU MAY WANT TO GET 3000 GRIT HAND PAPER
INSTEAD.

MIKE