Mike Hoekstra
New member
- May 26, 2020
- 470
- 0
After 10 years of owning our Toyota Highlander, it developed a couple small rust spots on the end gate. To fix it I first sanded the rust out with 600 grit paper and cleaned with 90% alcohol and a wax & grease remover. I then feathered out the area around it with 800-3000 grit paper and applied the automotive touch up paint. I let the paint settle in to the area so that I could build up the clear coat for the next step and level it off.
After the touch up paint had dried, I applied three coats of the clear touch up over the paint and area just outside the touch up spot.
After I let the clear dry, I wet sanded with a block from 1000-3000 to level out the clear with the rest of the clear coat. I then finished off with Meguires 105 and 205 compound and polish and my Flex 3" random orbit polisher and Lake Country blue and orange hydro tech pads. The paint is a metallic gray, so touching it up with a small brush makes the pigment collect and get darker. The spots are noticeable if you are looking for them. There is another spot on the opposite side that I am going to try putting my painter/artistic skills to use and airbrush to see if it turns out any better.
After the touch up paint had dried, I applied three coats of the clear touch up over the paint and area just outside the touch up spot.
After I let the clear dry, I wet sanded with a block from 1000-3000 to level out the clear with the rest of the clear coat. I then finished off with Meguires 105 and 205 compound and polish and my Flex 3" random orbit polisher and Lake Country blue and orange hydro tech pads. The paint is a metallic gray, so touching it up with a small brush makes the pigment collect and get darker. The spots are noticeable if you are looking for them. There is another spot on the opposite side that I am going to try putting my painter/artistic skills to use and airbrush to see if it turns out any better.
