Mirka reveals its comprehensive three-stage guide to panel repair, paint shop preparation, and – finally – paint rectification.
Stage 1: Panel Repair
Surface preparation is key. Degrease surface prior to sanding with both a water borne and solvent degreaser.
Action: Remove paint from repair area and feather out edges.
Use: P80 or P120 disc.
Action: Pre-clean repair area and apply relevant filler.
Action: Apply Dry Guide Coat.
Use: Use either Mirka black/white powder guide coat, depending on filler colour.
Action: Block sand filler area.
Use: Abranet P80 or P120 or P180 strip, dependant on repair size.
Action: If required, apply additional filler to imperfections in repair.
Action: Re-apply Mirka Dry Guide Coat and block sand.
Use: Abranet P120 or P180 strip.
Action: Clean and inspect repair and move to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Paint Shop Preparation
Action: Sand repair area. Further feathering out of paint edges from panel repair.
Use: P320 disc and Gold Flex Soft P320 for awkward areas.
Action: Prepare around repaired area for primer using P500 disc. De-grease and inspect repair area.
Action: Apply Dry Guide Coat to primed area.
Use: Use either Mirka black or white powder guide coat, depending on primer colour.
Action: Block sand primed area to the shape and curvature of the panel.
Use: Abranet P240 or P320 strip.
Action: Sand awkward areas.
Use: Mirka Gold Flex Soft P500 – P800.
Action: Re-apply Mirka Dry Guide Coat and machine sand primer.
Use: P400 or P500 disc with interface pad.
Action: Blend panels can be prepared by hand or machine.
Use: Mirlon Grey UF with water for hand sanding. For machine sanding, use P800 – P1000 Gold, Abralon or Polarstar.
Action: De-grease and inspect repair and move to paint.
Stage 3: Paint Rectification
Action: De-nib surface.
Use: Mirka DEROS 325CV with P1500/P2000 Microstar (dry) or Mirka AOS-B 130NV with P1500/P2000 WPF discs (with soapy water).
Action: Further reduce scratch pattern.
Use: Mirka DEROS 325CV Abralon J3 3000 disc and soapy water.
Wipe clean
Action: Apply compound to surface of lambswool pad and polish until sctratches have been removed.
Use: Mirka PS1437 with Polarshine 10 with Lambswool Pro polishing pad
Wipe clean
Action: Apply compound to yellow waffle polishing pad to further improve gloss level.
Use: Mirka PS1437 with Polarshine 10 with Mirka yellow waffle pad
Wipe clean
Action: Remove holograms and clean off any residue.
Use: Mirka PS1437 with Mirka black waffle pad and Polarshine 5 and Mirka yellow microfibre cloth.
Action: Sand large defected area
Use: Mirka DEROS 625CV with Microstar P1200 followed by P1500.
Action: Further reduce scratch pattern.
Use: Mirka DEROS 625CV with Abralon J3 3000 disc.
