DIY respraying rear wings

[Fozz]

I have unfortunately damaged both my rear wings, one is just a couple of scrapes and the other was dented. The dent has been beaten out but the paint has crazed and come off. I have bought some spray cans, one of primer and the other topcoat. I wondered if I would have to respray the whole wing, probably a silly question but haven't spray painted anything before!
I am prepared to have a go but need to make as good a job as possible as the rest of the paintwork is very good.
Am very very annoyed at myself for spoiling what was a pristine car!!

[bmcecosse]

I would indeed respray the complete wing. But you must get the surface absolutely PERFECT before applying paint. I suggest you also practice on a piece of steel sheet - old fridge - something like that before going anywhere near the wings..... Many thin coats is the answer - and pre-warm the cans in a bucket of hot water.

[hotrodder13]

i redid mine about 3 times it was easy enough, just masked off around the body and put news paper on to stop over spray, make sure you flat it down with wet and dry if you want a nice finish and as bm said nice thin coats or it will run,

[chickenjohn]

Just to add to the excellent advice above, if you have beat the dents out as much as you can, you will still need to fill before filler primer. And sand the filler absolutely smooth, start with 80 grit then work up to 180 or 240 before priming.

I would use an etch primer such as Upol acid 8 on any bare metal or filler before using primer. Then sand the primer with, 400, then 800 grit. Clean the repair area with panel wipe before each stage, and especially before top coat. Also, wipe with a tack rag to remove dust before applying top coat. Wear thin rubber gloves when doing all this work to avoid getting any grease or sweat on the panel- cleanliness and prep is everything! Always use a block with your sandpaper, and avoid using water if you can help it for flatting the primer and certainly no water at all when flatting filler!!!

Read these excellent articles for some excellent reading on paint and paint prep

http://www.citroen-restoration.co.uk/ds/painting.php

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/spray-painting.htm

[jonathon]

avoid using water if you can help it for flatting the primer

Why do you suggest this John, both of the links you list advocate wet flatting. Some pretty odd advice in parts on both of them, and would suggest those contemplating home re sprays should read some professional literature

[chickenjohn]

Those guides are good for reading round the subject.

As for not wet sanding.
It was what I was taught at college. We use the Arbranet Mirka vacuum hand sanding blocks which do not clog. Wet sanding is not a good idea with filler as water and bare steel are not a great idea, the same with primer in case you accidentally go throught to bare metal.

I would have thought you might have known that already Jonothan??

[RobMoore]

Opinion is that Wet sanding is for top coat removing blemishes only.

[jonathon]

Wet sanding filler , yep knew that one wet sanding primer is fine so long as you wipe 'bare metal 'areas dry first and allow it at least 8 hours to dry before top coating,a good body person will not flat through !! .
Don't think many folk will have accesss to the Arbranet Mirka vacuum hand sanding blocks.but what do I know ehh

[chickenjohn]

The vacuum sanding system is easily available from Screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A360204/Ab ... locks-Kits, as well as some local paint suppliers.

It is much nicer to not have dust all over the workshop when sanding filler and initial primer sanding too!

yes, the perforated velcro sheets seem expensive compared to normal sandpaper http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A360235/Ab ... ing-Sheets but they last a lot longer due to not clogging with dust, and no need to risk using water! as well as being clean and safer (very little dust). I use an old Dyson to suck the dust from the sanding block via the adaper hose. It is a syste, they use a college- the workshop is plumbed with vacuum lines and they have a giant vacuum cleaner behind the spray booth.

A great idea, maybe not for two wings but for a whole restoration really handy.

Believe it or not, Jonothan, I have seen people wet sanding filler and bare metal!

[chickenjohn]

-snip-but what do I know ehh

As it happens, it is clear that you know a hell of a lot of use to us all. Your professional insight and knowledge is an invaluable resource to this website and especially to all of us amateur restorers.

I may have disagreed on occasion, but the world would be a duller place etc!!

[jonathon]

Too true ol'chap . Thankyou for the kind words

[Fozz]

Thanks for advice! It will probably be the summer before I have a go when I have some time off work. Will be getting a restoration manual soon, and found a good article in a back copy of Minor Matters about respraying so hopefully it will be OK. If it goes well will put some pics on!!