NOTE: If the seams are located in a hard-to-reach place, then during the assembly or installation of parts, treat such joints with a paste-like sealant. Some joints become inaccessible after the repair is completed. In such cases, joint sealant and paint should be applied prior to final assembly.
The joint sealer is applied over the primer, but before the topcoat is applied. The joint sealant should form a continuous bead, the profile of which depends on the type of joint. If the sealant is applied with a brush, be especially careful that the entire surface of the seam is treated.
Check that all repair welds that can be accessed are treated with sealant after repair. When the body is damaged, deformations are often exposed to elements located far from the impact site. As a result, the sealing coating in these places may be damaged during the subsequent stretching of the panels and during repairs. Check all seams near the parts to be repaired for damage to the coating, then remove the damaged or cracked coating and apply a fresh coating according to the following procedure:
- Sand the area of the damaged coating and etch the cleaned metal surface with an appropriate phosphate primer.
- Treat the damaged surface with an acid primer.
- Apply an appropriate seam sealer.
- Apply an appropriate paint finish (and a layer of sealant for the bottom, if necessary).
If possible, sealant should be applied to the repaired joint on both sides. If the weld is only accessible from one side (as when welding box sections), Treat the closed cavity with a cavity protector.
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