fixing where paint lifted

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I have a small round spot where the top layer of paint lifted off an airplane wing - the primer stayed put. I’ve put a couple of coats of paint back over it but the ridge line where the paint lifted is still visible. FWIW, the primer is mr surfacer (well-cured - it sat for about 3 weeks), and the paint is tamiya. I’m thinking I’ll need to sand the ridge line to get rid of it. Does that sound right? What should I sand it with? And how long should I let the top layers of paint dry before I try that.

thanks,

Phil

2

Hmmm:

Normally you can wet sand this out. If it’s in a difficult place,it’s going to be harder. It also depends how small the spot is. If you can sand around it and NOT remove the primer under.

What I do, If the paint is not to thick, is this. I get the finest sand paper that will smooth it out and then very carefully wet sand it in a large oval or circular movement till the edges start to disappear. Do NOT sand the center of the hole. Only carefully around the edges!

3

Here is where micro mesh pads work really well.

Bill

4

Or the Micro Mesh sticks.

Oh…and to answer your question about curing time for the top layers of paint. 24-48 hours with Tamiya acrylics is usually safe.

5

You didn’t mention how you thinned it but using the Tamiya X-20 Laquer Thinner helps it bite into the primer better than the X-20A thinner.

This doesn’t help right now I realize but keep this in mind for future builds.

6

Thanks everyone.

I will let it dry 24 hours. The paint was Tamiya thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner. It lifted because I dropped some thinner on it and tried to dab it with a tissue. I should have just left it to dry…

Anyway, I have a set of micro mesh pads. What grit should I use? Then wet or dry?

7

Start with a “coarser” grit - say, 3200 or 4000, then go over it again with 6000, and finish off with 12000, which should give a surface about as smooth as glass. Use wet, work very gently, wipe off the slurry.

8

If you can manage it, and the condition of your model still allows for it, wet sanding under running water would be ideal.

9

Thanks to everyone. It worked! The blemish is gone!