I attempted to fix some rust around my rear wheel wells. I sanded all of the rust down to bare metal and applied some rust reformer and primer for good measure. Then I applied 3 coats of touch up paint. In the end the paint looks good, but I now have a pretty definite line on the panel between the old and new. How can I get these to blend together? The paint match is pretty darn close, and all I need to do is get rid of the line and the new paint fix will be barely noticeable.

I will try to get a pic.


Also, should I even attempt to try and fix the rust under the gas cap? I'm sure its rusted through as the paint is bubbling. Cutting out a new panel is not an option.

 

Blending paint isnt something I recommend for an amateur painter. The technique varies for each paint system. You need to start by prepping both the panel being painted and the panel you will be blending into. A scuff with a grey scotch pad and scuff enhancer will be sufficient for the panel being blended into if the surface is in good condition. Once you base the panel you are painting, you will need a coat of blending enhancer/adhesion promoter over both panels. You then need to mist out a coat of base from the painted panel fading into the blended panel, but be very light with the coats. For each additional blending coat you will need to reduce the paint with reducer and blending enhancer/adhesion promoter and fan the spray just a little farther into the blended panel. Be even and light with your blending coats but not too dry. Once panels are blended together put another coat of the blending enhancer/adhesion promoter down on both panels. Wait the recommended flash time before you clear (usually 20-30 minutes) and clear both panels with 1-2 wet coats. That is a very simplified procedure for blending paint. Like I said, the procedure differs between paint systems and the materials needed depend on what product the paint manufacturer says to use for each step.

To properly fix the rust issue under the gas door, you will need to cut out the rust and weld/glue in a patch panel. There is a foam type insulation in the quarter panel around the gas door that will need to come out in order to weld in the area. The insulation is what causes the rust issues anyway since once it gets wet it pretty much stays wet.

 

Thanks for the write up. Seems simple enough, though I'm sure it takes some skill. I'll have to look around for the blending enhancer/adhesion stuff.

 

mrl390 is lying - he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Just kidding!

That was a ridiculously detailed explanation that safely assures me that I should not try blending. You really lost me by the first 3 lines. Matt's my body guy from here on in.

 

I blended a panel on my side where I debadged it with a spray can and some wet sand paper. lol nothing too complicated

 

Matt's right. Thats pretty much how you blend panels.

 

Here's what I got to work with.

You can see what I mean by it looks like crap...but it's better than rust.

 

You should be able to blend that out in the quarter just fine. I would mask off at the bottom of the sail panel so you dont have to paint up into the roof. Just keep the blend area small.