Cellulose spot repairs

[N2ae86]

Can it be done? In the process of colour sanding I have accidentally broken through the paint on a few areas (its wibbly wobbly fibreglass panels so it’s a swine to colour sand without this happening. I seriously can’t be bothered to take the panels off and repaint so was wondering how I could do a spot repair with the least fuss.

Can I use a paint brush to cellulose onto the affected areas and colour sand to blend the repair or would a small airbrush be more suitable?

Just dont want to mask off the whole car or remove the panel just to treat an area the size of a 1p piece.

Any suggestions greatfully recieved!

Cheers

James

 

[piman]

Hello james,

cellulose is easy to spot repair, and you can brush it if you wish, but put a few coats on, with light flatting between coats. You can either flat after with 1200 to 1500 grit wet and dry and compound to blend into the older paint, or just use compound if you wish.

Alec

 

[the snooper]

i wouldnt advise using a brush because the paint you have already put on sounds quite thin from what you have said and brushing more on would cause brush strokes and while you could sand them out you would probably rub through elsewhere.
your best bet would be to use the paint a little thinner in the gun on a lower pressure to achieve a smoother finish so no more sanding would be involved then just compound to a finish. use some scrap to set up the gun so you will get the finish you need

 

[steveo3002]

you can get a shut gun off ebay for £12 , pretty much just spot in a 1p sized patch with one , little overspray to worry about

id not use a brush..you will sand through again getting the marks out

 

[jaykay]

you dont say what paint it is,solid colour or metallic.
DONT use a brush.

 

[piman]

hello Jaykay,

a brush is fine for a simple job like this, if the poster doesn't want to buy even a cheap spray gun. It's how you use it not what you use. To me it sounds as if there was insufficient paint in the first place unless it was on an edge, but the description of a penny sized patch sounds as though that is not the case.

Alec

 

[Chickenjohn]

If you have a compressor, use an air brush. These are cheap, under £20 or so. I run mine off a compressor and small area repairs are easy, and blend in well with cellulose. You need to use more thinners (3/4 thinners) than when spraying celly with a normal sized spray gun.

Or, if no compressor, you can buy cans of compressed air to power your air brush.

Smaller area repairs are possible with an air brush than with a spray can or spray gun.

 

[jaykay]

you can also use a inflated tyre to power a air brush.just have make a valve up for it.

 

[Chickenjohn]

Spare tyre air- that is a good idea!

 

[piman]

Hello CJ,

"Spare tyre air- that is a good idea! "

That's what Gunson's thought with their 'Easy Bleed' kit.

Alec

 

[the snooper]

hmm
could be damp contaminated air

 

[Chickenjohn]

Hello CJ,

"Spare tyre air- that is a good idea! "

That's what Gunson's thought with their 'Easy Bleed' kit.

Alec

The easy bleed kit works pretty well for me!

 

[piman]

Hello CJ,

I agree, mine's been invaluable.

Alec

 

[jaykay]

and spare tyre and airbrush has worked for me.
i did many a mural that way.when they wasthe fashion.

 

[Chickenjohn]

I find though that you need to add more thinners when using cellulose in an airbrush- as i said 75% thinners 25% paint otherwise the paint does not spray very well- goes on the panel too dry, or at 50/50 struggles to get out of the gun at all!

Maybe because the nozzle is quite small.

Or that could just be the cheap air brush I have.

 

[series2]

I use one of these, just run it of the compressor at around 40psi. It will happily spray celly at 50/50 mix, and has an adjustable nozzle. gives an excellent finish. It's great for touch ups and small jobs, and under £15. You do need to buy the 1/4bsp adaptor to use it off the compressor.

 

[steveo3002]

ebay search mini spray gun

lots of guns like this ...ideal for the job and handy for spraying smaller items as they use so little and make no mess

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-Jet-HVLP..._Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item519126452c

 

[N2ae86]

Hi Guys,

Massive thanks for the responses!

Regarding the paint, I think the thickness is ok - its just I was being a bit cack handed - I was trying to compound the paint and working an area and without thinking that it was also working the area that had been compounded so I ended up breaking through - its small spots collected in a area the size of about a 2p piece rather than the whole area being exposed.

You notice it more as its on dark paint.

Its a fibreglass arch and its pretty floppy and wavy which has been causing me headaches with the colour sanding and as a result it had lots of high and low spots in the panel.

Given a choice between the airbrush or the mini hvlp gun which would be better? I am guessing the Airbrush would possibly be better for more delicate patch repairs?

Cheers

James

 

[steveo3002]

the mini gun is more than capable ..its what smart repairers would use

the advantage is , you maybe able to use to paint other things in the future , theyre ideal for bottom half of a door or bumper etc ...could even do one panel at a push

 

[N2ae86]

Cool - will get one ordered! At £10 you cant go wrong.