I need some soothing words...

domZ'sp5

New member
...before I dive in.



After getting a nasty looking dent/1"stratch on my hood from a passing semi-truck, I decided it was time to repair the four serious chips on my car.



First, the golf-ball sized dent was removed flawlessly by the guys at Fixx-a-Dent.



I read David B.'s chapter on chip repair and did a search and read tons more stuff on Friday on the topic.



Pretty much followed David's chapter, word for word, except the part about making those pencil eraser-tip sanders. Was gonna do them until I spotted the glass-fiber pen from 3m for preparing chips for paint. That worked nicely.



I tried three different methods for delivering the primer/touch-up paint into the chip. Plastic toothpicks, wooden toothpicks and a paper match w/the end cut at an angle.



For me the "capillary action" worked best by using the match method.



I added paint to the chips about three of four times (after several aborted missions, cleaned with a dab of 3m wax and adhesive remover) and built the little blobs that are desired over a couple of days time.



Now, I will let it dry another day or so and (take a deep breath) will tackle the wet-sanding part.



I am real nervous about this part. I have 2000 grit 3m paper. I understand about the paper wet, keeping surface wet and appling a little dab of shampoo to the chip during wet sanding. made a little customized block about an inch or so long and half an inch across for the paper.



Pull the paper toward me, no back and forth or circles....I understand the technique.



I am REAL nervous about putting the paper to my beautiful red paint :scared ...any comforting thoughts????



DomZ
 
It sounds like you're doing okay so far and did a little homework first. I would recomend going to a local wrecking yard if you can and practice on a junk car until you build your confidence. That may be all you're lacking at this point along with a little practice but I have to agree for sure...that point at which just before you start to take the lumps down and sand for the first time is the hardest of all.
 
Thanks Billy Ray.



I sold my old junker car a couple of months ago. Wish I didn't, now.



About how much pressure do I put on the sanding block?

Almost none-the weight of the block?

Gentle pressure?



Is there a "rule of thumb"?



DomZ
 
I would say let the sandpaper do the work. It will be slow going, but you won't run the risk of taking too much paint off, and abrading too much clear around the repair area.
 
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