repair painting

[adriatic04]

my entire paint looks fine except for a small (5-7") somewhat round spot on the front of the roof. it has flecked down to bare metal and after some rain has rust.

question: what are basic painting steps to get this cleaned up. I have already ordered primer, paint, and clear coat. It doesnt need to be professional, it's a part that is mainly covered by the roof rack but I want it covered up.

I assume I am going to:

1- sand down to metal (what grit?) and the surrounding area to create a blend in to the bad area.

2- primer a few coats (sand the primer again? what grit?)

3- paint (2-3 coats?) (sand the paint? what grit?)

4- clear coat (2-3 coats?) (sand the clear? what grit?)

 

[az_max]

It's been 10 years since I've done any painting besides scale models... but here's what I'd do:

wet sand with 400 to 800 grit to prep the area. Use an etching primer if you're at bare metal.
Wet sand with 800 between primer coats.
Wet sand with 800 between color coats.
Wet sand again with 1000-1200 on the final color coat.
If you burn through any layers with the sandpaper, start again.
1200 if necessary between clear coats, polishing compound on final clear layer.

Use a touch of Dawn in your water, keep the sandpaper clear. Use a sanding block or straight edge. Use straight strokes all the way up to the polishing compound. Then you can use circular motions.

 

[roverMc]

X2, I use 320 for the first sanding then go to 600. The goal is to make sure the area is covered with paint with as few coats as possible. Same for the clear. Once you get the clear on and if it's a little rough, you can use 3M Hookit to sand with 1500 then 3000 then polish to achieve a desirable finish. BTW you did get the activators for the paint and clear??? The Dawn is a great trick. If you are block sanding and you feel a vibration, stop and clean the sand paper. Pull the tape off carefully as soon as you get finished painting so not to tear the paint.

 

[adriatic04]

X2, I use 320 for the first sanding then go to 600. The goal is to make sure the area is covered with paint with as few coats as possible. Same for the clear. Once you get the clear on and if it's a little rough, you can use 3M Hookit to sand with 1500 then 3000 then polish to achieve a desirable finish. BTW you did get the activators for the paint and clear??? The Dawn is a great trick. If you are block sanding and you feel a vibration, stop and clean the sand paper. Pull the tape off carefully as soon as you get finished painting so not to tear the paint.

thank you both. I will try to do my best on this spot. I got ready to go spray...from touchupdirect.com which is already color matched and also premixed. I know it is probably not the best but for 70 bucks to patch up a spot on the roof I am willing to give it a go. Once I get it cleaned up I have the roof rack covering it anyhow so it wont be too noticeable, at least not as noticeable as the rust now :banghead:

 

[roverMc]

Good luck