Exterior Parts, Flexible, Refinishing

Use Elastomeric Additive for finishing flexible automotive exterior parts.

The product is intended for use with acrylic air dry paints, or suitable equivalent to refinish flexible parts and is not suitable for use on metal.

The additive improves the flexibility of regular air dry paints so that the same paint with additive can also be used for repair of the soft, non-metallic parts. The use of standard repair automotive finishes on flexible parts is impractical, as these finishes form a rigid coating when the paint cures. This additive allows the paint coating to adhere to the part when flexed, and return to normal appearance as the part returns or recovers its original shape.

 WARNING: THE ADDITIVE MUST BE HANDLED WITH CAUTION. IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE PRODUCT LABEL PROVIDES INFORMATION ON RECOMMENDED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND PROPER APPLICATION. THE ELASTOMERIC ADDITIVE SHOULD NOT BE USED UNTIL THIS INFORMATION IS READ AND UNDERSTOOD. OBSERVE ALL APPLICABLE PRECAUTIONS.

SINCE THE VAPOR AND MIST SPRAY CAN BE HARMFUL WHEN MIXED, IT SHOULD BE USED IN A SPRAY BOOTH WITH ADEQUATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION, IF POSSIBLE. THE RECOMMENDED PROTECTION IS A NIOSH-APPROVED POSITIVE PRESSURE AIR-SUPPLIED RESPIRATOR. IF THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE, USE A VAPOR/PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR SUCH AS 3M MODEL NO. 6984 OR ITS EQUIVALENT, RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS EFFECTIVE FOR ISOCYANATE VAPORS AND MIST. RESPIRATOR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR USE DURING THE ENTIRE SPRAYING TIME AND UNTIL ALL VAPOR AND MISTS HAVE DISSIPATED. THE 3M RESPIRATOR PACKAGE HAS SPECIFIC FITTING AND USAGE INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED TO ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION.

The Ford Elastomeric Additive has a recommended shelf life of one year. A sticker on the overcap states a date after which the product should not be used.

The additive should be kept away from water or moist air because it may react with water, forming a gel-like material that can make the product useless. The flexibility of the coating may be adversely affected if the relative humidity of the air is high during application. The container must be kept closed when not in use.

The usable pot life of a mixed color is approximately one hour, after which time the mixture will have poor drying characteristics. To avoid material waste, mix only the quantity required. Clean all spray equipment with solvent immediately after use. Allow part to cure two to four hours after final coat before handling. After curing for 24 hours, the coating can be rubbed out by hand to improve the finish. Do not use a machine for rubbing as this can cause burning.

Surface Preparation

If the flexible part has a coating that completely covers the substrate, no special priming is required. It only requires cleaning with Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil Remover B7A-19520-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M5B106-A and scuff-sanding with 400-grit paper to remove gloss. The high-bake elastomeric coating applied in the factory requires sanding to promote adhesion of the air dry service paints.

If the coating does not cover the substrate, Flexible Parts Coating 3M-05905 or equivalent must be used prior to applying the color coat. Follow label instructions for each product.

Mixing and Application

The coating must be applied with commercial equipment by an experienced automotive painter. The coating must be thoroughly agitated and used without thinning. As the material is reasonably heavy-bodied, a pressure cup-equipped spray gun is recommended. Satisfactory coating appearance (minimal orange peel and sag) has resulted with gun air pressures of approximately 207 kPa (30 psi) and cup pressures of approximately 103 kPa (15 psi).