[General]

Hi Cactus

Because of the nature of SMART repairs, outside repairs are successful. A SMART repairer should NOT carry out panel repairs ie doors, bonnets etc or body damage but repair to the size of no larger than A4 paper, light scuffing and light scrapes. Hence why we have quicker drying times. The only down side to outside repairs is the weather and dust. These elements of course we cant control. If its cold any repairer worth their salt will warm a panel up before spraying and if it's a hot sunny day to find some shade. Spraying in direct sunlight is pure madness.

There is a huge selection of waterbased products available to the SMART repair industry. In my case I'm using a third generation water based system. The top coats (lacquer) have to be compliant too. I personally use a 2k anti scratch lacquer. There are waterbased lacquers available however there have been at the moment too many reports of difficult application. So i'll steer clear till that side has improved.

Can you tell me where you are picking up the colour from. Would it be from the middle of the repair or right at the edge (his fade area) where the chap finished his repair ?

The rash look like a combination of stone chips and what is known as 'solvent pop'. Solvent pop is where you have trapped moisture in the base coat. This occurs when the base has not been dried off thoroughly and then lacquered. Over a period of time this moisture is trying to escape and little white dots appears.

Metal repairs to plastic repairs vary very little. I use different fillers and primers and I also used used an adhesion aid to help 'key' on plastic repairs. Base coats and lacquer remain the same.

I'm located in east Berks. Is that near to yourself ?