Merc OEM wing prep

[RaceDiagnostics]

I just splashed out on a new wing for my R107, and want to ensure I prep and paint it to last.

I thought I would scuff it all over with 320.

Two coats of epoxy inside and out.

A few coats of gravitex round the arch and the exposed parts of the inside.

Two coats of high build on the outside then flat back.

Colour inside and out.

Clear outside, not sure about the inside.

Then underseal with Dinitrol 4941.


Any suggestions on what to do differently?

Anyone know what the point of this is?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I have never painted a new wing before so any comment on how to key the factory primer would be appreciated.

 

[MG David]

Do you know anything about the primer that is on it. High quality body panels often come electropherically primed. In theory you should be able to key it and go straight to base coat colour. The danger is that edges have been rubbed and broken through the primer. In that case your plan to put epoxy over it will be a good one. If MB quality is as good as its image you should be able to get away without highbuild unless there are some transit knocks.

After a key, I would be tempted to put 2 coats of epoxy over it inside and out. Then a guide coat on the outside and rub it back. This will indicate if high build is required.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Thanks for that, I think it is electrocoat but that is really just a gut feel.

There are a couple of small areas that have been scraped off but I will cause a few more where the expanding foam coating has come through holes to the front surface. So I guess it will be safest to epoxy first.

Funny how it seems huge when it is off the car.

I found out about the sticker, it means "Replacement OEM panel".

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Just found a bit on e coating prep in a PPG training manual, looks interesting.

https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/462316-ppg-custom-restoration-guide/27?

 

[MG David]

Those instructions from PPG imply that e coat does not need to be keyed which is interesting and no doubt good for body shop productivity.