Auto Body Repair Prep Tips

When it comes to auto body repair, any professional will tell you the same thing; it’s all about the prep work. Whether you are repairing a chip or re-spraying the entire car, prepping the paintwork is just as important as the paint application and plays a huge role in the quality of the end result.

What Is Cutting?

Cutting is using an abrasive compound that will remove the layers of paint. It can be done as a prep step before the paint is applied or afterward to blend the new paint with the old. There are different compounds available, and each has a different cutting power. So make sure you choose the right one.

How to Apply the Cutting Compound

Before you begin applying the cutting compound, make sure you tape off surrounding areas, especially when you are applying it with a machine. As it can go everywhere, so work smart; wear overalls, safety glasses, and gloves, and cover anything up that you don’t want to clean afterward. Using a cloth, apply the compound in a circular motion. Larger areas are a bit too big to do by hand, which is where an orbital polisher comes into play. Just watch your pressure and make sure to pause every now and then to check your handy work.

Sanding

What is Sanding?

Sanding will remove the top layer of your paint with the aid of abrasive materials. This is the most important part of paint prep and is well worth investing time to do it properly if you want professional results. Depending on the job, sanding can be performed with either sandpaper or an orbital sander, and you will have to use different grades of sandpaper depending on the job.

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss an auto body repair job, please contact Collision Proz Auto Body Shop at (718) 619-8721 now if you live in the The Bronx, NY region.