Expert: josh peer - 5/2/2007

Question
Josh, thanks for the fast response. I did get the fender off the tractor, but this piece is the whole back end of tractor and both rear fenders all in one. I'm going to try to repair just the bad fender. Can I just feather the paint into the rest of the fender so I don't have to paint the whole back end? I have sanded out the scratch and primed that area. So far so good! When I sand this, you said use 400 grit. should this be wet or dry? After painting you say sand with 1500 grit wet sand paper. Do I have to do this before I use compound, and if so should I wash with soap and water again after using the 1500 grit? As for the compound and finesse could you explain this procedure to me? Do I ask for 2 stage compound and finesse? Should I hand rub on and use electric buffer to take off?  THANK VERY MUCH FOR THE HELP

Answer
Ray it is going to be hard to blend the fender with a spraycan.what you should do is from the scratch down sand the fender with 400 wet dry paper and about 6 to 8 inches above the scratch sand with 400 wet paper,then from the 6 to 8" up you should use 1500 wet dry paper and sand about 2 to 3 feet above the scratch and at the top of the 3 feet is where you will put your tape and paper and when you paint it paint the area you sanded with 400 and just mist the top of the area a few inches and let it blend the paint into the area where you sanded with 1500 just don't paint the whole area where you sanded with 1500 this is just an area where you will blend in then.yes after this dries you will the area you painted and blended with 1500 wet paper until it is nice and smooth then wash the wet sand residue off with soap and water and use a coarse cut compound it is a tan color and a wool pad to to buff the whole area of the fender you painted and blended,until the shine is back then go over the whole thing with the buffer with a finesse compound it should be white in color and use a foam pad on the buffer then just wipe it off.