Panel Surface Preparation

If a body panel has been punctured, cracked, or crushed, the damaged area must be removed from the panel to achieve a successful repair. All spider web cracks leading away from a damaged area must be stopped or removed. To stop a running crack in a panel, drill a 6 mm (0.250 in.) hole at the end of the crack farthest away from the damage. If spider web cracks can not be stopped, the panel would require replacement. The surfaces around the damaged area should be stripped of paint and freed from wax and oil. Scuff surfaces around repair area with 360 grit wet/dry sandpaper, or equivalent, to assure adhesion of repair materials.