Application Advice
1. Surface Preparation
First of all you must thoroughly clean the area to be repaired with detergent/washing up liquid and water. Then dry completely before applying any of our products.
Whereas not strictly necessary the use of a hot air gun or hair dryer held at approximately 20cm away from the panel will help to thoroughly dry the surface and will vastly reduce the drying times of all of our primers, touch up paints and clear lacquers. On a damp weather day the use of a hot air gun or hair dryer will be essential.
2. If Sanding Is Needed
Use 240 grit sandpaper to remove rust or bad surface damage (cracked paint etc.). Then use 600 grit sandpaper dipped in some water to remove the 240 grit scratches. Try to keep the area being sanded as small as possible.
3. Use Of Rust Converter
After surface preparation (see above), apply the rust converter to the rusted area, drying/rust conversion times will vary dependent on the temperature and humidity levels. At 20 degrees centigrade the conversion process will take approximately 10 minutes, however at 10 degrees centigrade and with little air movement the process may take up to 2 hours. You will know when the rust has been converted as it will turn black.
You can apply any of our primers, paints or clear lacquers directly to the converted rust.
*Always use the latex gloves provided as our rust converter may stain your skin.
4. Primer Application
Apply touch up primer over bare metal or plastic 2-3 coats 10-15 minutes in between coats. For a smoother more even finish, primer can be sanded with 600 grit sandpaper dipped in some water in as little as 30 minutes after the final coat. After sanding the area with 600 grit, sand the outer edge with 1500 grit sandpaper dipped in some water.
Touch up clear lacquer will fill the 1500 sandpaper scratches. If any sanding is done then cleaning and drying is necessary. You should touch up with the basecoat over the 600 scratches, and extend the clear lacquer to cover the surface sanded with 1500 sandpaper.
5. Touch-up Paint Application
Thoroughly shake the base coat colour before applying. Apply as many coats as is necessary to cover the area leaving 10-15 minutes minimum between light coats. Do not wet sand or clean the surface between coats of paint or clear lacquer
6. Clear Lacquer Application
Allow at least 1 hour after base coat colour has been applied before applying clear lacquer. Apply 2-3 coats of clear lacquer using a light dabbing motion waiting 15-20 minutes in between coats. Be gentle with the brush because you do not want to disturb the base colour coat.
7. Brush Cleaning
If you are using our super fine touch up brush for applying the touch up paint (basecoat) or the rust converter then you can clean the brush with water and washing up liquid. If using the brush for applying any of our other products you can clean the brush using a solvent based cleaner i.e. white spirit.
