Preparing the panel for painting (Freelander 1)

General information

Body parts supplied as replacements have an initial cataphoretic primer coating as part of the panel protection that is consistent with the general body corrosion warranty. DO NOT remove the primer before painting the part. In the event of a local defect on the surface of the part, remove the primer only from a small area necessary to correct the defect before carrying out the repair work.

As far as possible, correct the panel defect by mechanical action without heating.

To remove rust or paint runs on exterior surfaces, sand the primer coat if necessary. Use the following procedure:

• 1. Wipe the panel with a cloth soaked in solvent.
• 2. Etch the cleaned surface by phosphating.
• 3. Re-treat the defective surface by etching the acid-based compound separately and then applying a two-component primer, or immediately apply a combined etch and prep compound (primer/filler).

When performing panel repairs, the following operations must be performed.

Welded panels

• 1. Remove the original primer from the joint between the old and new panels and clean the joint surfaces of the panels until they have a metallic shine.
• 2. If the panels are spot welded, weld through the zinc primer layer, joining the flanges of both panels. Spot weld while the primer is still wet, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• 3. Treat the welding areas with a protective compound where they are accessible.
• 4. Wipe the panels with a cloth soaked in solvent.
• 5. Treat the cleaned metal surfaces with phosphating.
• 6. Re-treat the surfaces to be joined.

Sectioned parts

When replacing a part or a whole sectional piece, the basic operations are the same as when repairing welded panels, as discussed above, with the following exceptions:

• 1. Remove the primer from the mating surfaces of the old and new parts, cleaning them to a metallic shine.
• 2. If the lap joint is to be spot welded, spot weld through a coat of zinc primer while it is still wet, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• 3. Perform plug welding in inert gas where possible.
• 4. Wipe the panel with a cloth soaked in solvent.
• 5. Treat the cleaned metal surfaces with phosphating.
• 6. Re-treat the weld surfaces as is done when correcting defects.
• 7. Treat the inner surface of the joint made with a cork seam with an appropriate cavity treatment compound.

Glued panels

• 1. Clean the primer on the joining surfaces of the old and new parts and wipe with a cloth soaked in solvent.
• 2. Apply adhesive mastic to clean metal surfaces to be joined where recommended.
• 3. If the joint is to be spot welded, weld through a layer of zinc primer.
• 4. If the joint is to be welded in an inert gas environment, by electric arc welding or gas welding, apply zinc primer to the adjacent surfaces of the parts, but leave the surfaces to be welded untreated.
• 5. To secure the panels when connecting their flanges, use appropriate spot or plug welding.
• 6. Wipe the panel with a cloth soaked in solvent.
• 7. Treat the cleaned metal surfaces with phosphating.
• 8. Re-treat the weld surfaces as is done when correcting defects.

The original article can be found here LRMAN.ru