Painting the plastic test piece

Test piece

2 To avoid risking another patch of dark mismatch, this plastic replacement tow hitch cover is the aerosol’s guinea pig – a mismatch won’t matter low down at the back.

Primer practice

5 While spraying high build primer, I developed a smooth action in moving the spray across the panel at the correct speed and height to produce an even coating.

Panel in position

8 The colour match against the bumper is spot on, and the lacquer finish matches up, too. I’m sufficiently impressed to risk an attempt on the wheel arch.

Keyed in

3 No preparation is needed on this perfect new surface, other than to work over it with a fine sanding sponge to provide a key and eliminate any specks.

Top coats

6 The primer was given two hours to set before wiping dust off with a tack cloth, then applying the Zermatt Silver using the same careful spraying technique.

Going rusty

9 Corrosion on the rear wheel arch near the bumper is causing the paint to bubble. Only when the paint is scraped off, will I know how bad this is.

Adhesion

4 Plastic parts need to be pre-treated with an adhesion promoter due to their relatively unstable surface. A light application of UPOL Grip#4 does the trick.

Lacquered up

7 The panel is finally given two coats of clear lacquer, replacing the relatively matt silver finish with a high gloss and, so far, it’s looking good.

Restoring

10 The metal is sound and the sanding has leveled the bubbles. But a 100 x 25 mm area needs to be exposed and treated with rust arrestor, then zinc-rich primer.