GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Often to achieve a perfect color match when painting a replacement panel or spraying color to the edge of a repaired panel, it may be necessary to blend the basecoat into the adjacent panel or panels.

  1. Wash the entire panel and surrounding panels with water and a mild detergent soap; rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
  2. Clean all panels with PPG D837 Acryli-Clean™ or equivalent.
  3. Prepare all damaged and bare metal areas. Refer to Undercoating - Priming/Surfacing .
  4. Sand the repaired panel. Wet sand with 400 grade or finer sandpaper or dry sand with 320 grade or finer sandpaper.
  5. Thoroughly sand the entire area with 1200 grade or finer sandpaper.
  6. Clean all panels with PPG D846 Multi-Prep Cleaner or equivalent to remove the sanding residue.
  7. Use an air-blow gun to remove all dirt from the cracks and surfaces of panels.
  8. Tack all panels with a clean tack rag.
  9. Apply 1 or 2 medium wet coats of sealer over the repaired area. Use 345 - 413 kPa (50 - 60 psi) of air pressure at the gun. Allow 5 to 10 minutes flash time between coats of sealer.
  10. Allow a 1 hour flash time between the final sealer coat and the application of the first coat of basecoat color.
  11. Tack all panels with a clean tack rag.
  12. Mix the basecoat color. Refer to the product label instructions.
  13. Apply the first coat of basecoat color only over the repaired panel. Use 310 - 379 kPa (45 - 55 psi) of air pressure at the gun. Allow 5 to 10 minutes flash time between each coat of basecoat color.
  14. Apply the second coat of basecoat color over the same area as the first and about 4 to 6 inches into adjacent panels.
  15. Apply the third coat (if needed) over the same area as the second coat and about 4 to 6 inches beyond where the second coat ended. Normally 2 or 3  coats are required to obtain hiding.
  16. Allow the basecoat color to flash for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 12 hours, before applying the clearcoat.
  17. Apply 2 or 3 medium wet coats of clear over all panels. Use 276 - 344 kPa (40 - 50 psi) of air pressure at the gun. Allow 10 minutes flash time between coats.