IllogicalCpt Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping safe? I usually drive about 500 miles a week for work but that's been knocked on the head for the foreseeable.. so thought it might be a good time to attempt to do a few jobs on my focus, now I firmly believe my car has been involved in a front end impact of some sort at some time. I bought it second hand and had the dealer respray the front bumper after 6 months as the clear coat started peeling off, it was believed it had been badly repaired, I have also now found that the front drivers side wing appears to be bubbling near the arch and in the clear coat I can see little bubbles, prob from moisture getting under a previous repair... So to cut a long story short (believe it or not) I am looking for a guide of some kind on how and what to use to sand down the area, prime and re-spray, the car is race red so a solid colour... There are alot of videos etc out there but everyone has their own ways of doing things and what they use, so need a little clarity Thank you in advance for any help you can offer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ennvoqation Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Try this link from Chris Fix: Chris Fix rust repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F0CUE Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 No the bubbling is due to moisture build up inside the arch which starts to corode and comes through to the front. If you remove the wheel and arch liner (pretty straight forward) then look inside you will see where it's from. So concentrate on cleaning up any rust from behind which may cause a hole in the front during the process. Remove all traces of rust so you see silver metal with either a grinding wheel or steel wool then use a rust convertor followed by a rust preventive paint preferably one that dispenses water. Once that is fixed then it's sorting the out skin depending on the state it will never be perfect DIY. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenFord Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 In my younger days (!), I attempted several times to do similar repair like this, every one was an unmitigated disaster! I so admire people that have the skills to carry out competent body repairs. I have a 'guy' that does stuff for me, it's a proper body shop with skilled men, and expensive spray ovens, and decades of experience, you just can't duplicate that stuff at home. But, if you do attempt it yourself, best of luck... (Don't forget to post the before/after shots!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjt Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Take it to the Repair Shop's Dom Chinea . . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetta Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 It’s one of those jobs where it can easily end up looking worse after you attempt the repair. It’s not clear to me if rust is causing the bubbling or if the bubbling is in the cleAr lacquer and the red underneath is fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetta Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 It’s one of those jobs where it can easily end up looking worse after you attempt the repair. It’s not clear to me if rust is causing the bubbling or if the bubbling is in the cleAr lacquer and the red underneath is fine Eg due to poor materials or spraying in damp conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ennvoqation Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Something else to consider, if the rust has spread over a large area or if the repair is going to take time then it's sometimes just as easy to source a donor wing and respray it if appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonj1611 Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 I had a similar problem, and was going to do it myself but in the end getting a second hand wing was easier, just haven't fitted it yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllogicalCpt Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Hi everyone, thanks for the responses!! I have considered the donor wing approach but to be honest I am unsure how to remove the current one and refit as to be honest that approach would probably work better, anyone got the knowhow on removing the old and replacing? I have a sizable shed with heaters so spraying a replacement one in there with our climate would probably be the best way forward! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ennvoqation Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Does this help? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenFord Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 What a fabulous video! I have decades worth of tools built up, and this guy dismantles his car with a few real basics, at the roadside, AND using only one hand! Frigin' genius! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllogicalCpt Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 Thanks for that Vid, i've taken the plunge and ordered a replacement wing from the net, the one issue i am having is trying to find a supplier of Race Red Spray Paint... I thought things might be a bit tricky given the current circumstances but i cannot find it anywhere... can find plenty of touch up kits, anyone got any reliable suppliers they use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllogicalCpt Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 Well my new wing arrived, found a supplier of paint so the last couple of days I've primed and now painted, just in the middle.of the lacquering process, the pic is with no lacquer on, will post a follow up! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllogicalCpt Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 Well I think it's going to need a bit of polishing to get the surface smooth, but I'll let it harden off for a few days then break out the buffer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllogicalCpt Posted April 24, 2020 Author Share Posted April 24, 2020 So a little update, the finish was rubbish so I've sanded it back and started again, got a good bed of colour on it now, it's just hardening off before I apply the lacquer Learning all the time but getting there.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenFord Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 Delighted to learn that painting isn't as easy as thought. Makes me feel better that the £1000s I've spent in the last 4 decades on getting repair work professionally done hasn't been squandered! 🤣 Best of luck buddy, hope it all turns out well... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ennvoqation Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 13 hours ago, StephenFord said: Delighted to learn that painting isn't as easy as thought. Makes me feel better that the £1000s I've spent in the last 4 decades on getting repair work professionally done hasn't been squandered! 🤣 Best of luck buddy, hope it all turns out well... Took 3 attempts on my old Focus to do the bonnet, first we had a bunch of flies decide to land on the wet paint, then the second attempt didn't dry evenly due to temperature variance (it was spring and we went from -5 to 18c in one day), the final attempt went well enough but the clear coat started peeling near the end when the car was getting scrapped. So it's a fun challenge, and I found you really need a controlled dust free environment to do this if possible and a lot of patience. The actual process itself isn't hard but it's ensuring the job cures properly and without blemishes is the difficult part.. Being able to buff and polish with power tools is also highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Finance Guy Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 I’ve come to realise I just don’t have the patience, skill or environment for painting. It’s just so hard to get even a decent finish and for me it’s just not worth the effort. First attempt at vinyl wrapping this week and that’s far more to my liking! Next thing, I’m going to learn how to powder coat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F0CUE Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 14 hours ago, IllogicalCpt said: So a little update, the finish was rubbish so I've sanded it back and started again, got a good bed of colour on it now, it's just hardening off before I apply the lacquer Learning all the time but getting there.... Are you using spray cans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Ford UK Shop
Sponsored Ad
Name: eBay
Ford Model: FordUK Shop
Ford Year: 2024
Latest Deals
Ford UK Shop for genuine Ford parts & accessoriesDisclaimer: As the club is an eBay Partner, The club may be compensated if you make a purchase via the club
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.