info@metalflake.com
Your repair, stage by stage
Choose a stage below to see what to do, why it matters and the materials to use. Start with assessing the panel and work in order.
We’ve supplied automotive refinishing products since 1967. Tell us what you’re repairing and we’ll help you work out the right products for the job.
Call 020 8397 6198 • Email info@metalflake.com
Small dents, shallow creases, filler repairs and cosmetic panel damage can be realistic DIY projects if you are patient with preparation and sanding. Large sharp creases, stretched metal, structural damage, corrosion around safety-critical areas or repairs that need welding are better handled by an experienced bodyshop.
The exact basket depends on the damage and paint system, but every stage below has a recommended Metalflake product so you know what to buy and when to use it.
| 01 | |
| 02 | 
Initial sanding & shaping
Sunmight P80 discs – SUNGOLD80 Sunmight P120 discs – SUNGOLD120 Sunmight P240 discs – SUNGOLD240 Browse abrasive strips Browse bodyfiles Start only as coarse as the repair needs, then progress finer as the shape improves. |
| 03 | |
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| 07 | 
Masking
Masking tapes Masking paper Masking films M-MP30 masking paper Use suitable paper or film to protect the surrounding panel and trim. |
| 08 | 
Colour & clearcoat
Recommended: a colour-matched paint system and compatible clearcoat selected for your vehicle and repair method. Call 020 8397 6198 or email info@metalflake.com and we’ll specify the right products before you order. Do not mix paint-system components unless compatibility is confirmed. |
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| 11 | 
PPE
Respiratory masks and protection Protective gloves Safety goggles PPE must suit the exact product being used. Isocyanate/2K spraying can require air-fed respiratory protection; check the product safety data and call us if unsure. |
Check whether the panel is simply dented or whether the metal has stretched, cracked, rusted or split. Decide how much shaping can be done before filler. Filler should refine the repair, not replace basic panel straightening.
Remove grease, wax, finger marks and contamination before sanding. Contamination dragged into the repair can cause adhesion problems and paint defects later.
Abrade the damaged area and feather the surrounding paint so there are no sharp paint edges. Use a coarser abrasive only where material removal is needed, then move progressively finer as the surface improves.
Mix only the amount you can apply within the product’s working time. Spread firmly into the repair, building the shape slightly proud of the surrounding panel so you have enough material to shape it accurately once cured.
Once the filler has cured, shape it in controlled stages rather than trying to finish it with one abrasive. Start coarser while you are establishing the contour, then move finer as you approach the final panel shape.
A fine glaze fills the tiny pinholes and scratches left after shaping. It is for refinement, not for rebuilding the dent.
Refine the repair until the transition into the surrounding panel disappears, remove sanding dust, degrease again and mask carefully.
Primer filler helps reveal and fill the last small imperfections while providing a more uniform base for colour.
Once cured, sand the primer with the correct finishing grade for your chosen paint system. The aim is a flat, even, contamination-free surface with no visible repair edge or deep sanding marks.
Colour matching and paint-system compatibility are critical. Tell us the vehicle, colour and repair method and we’ll specify the correct colour coat and compatible clearcoat rather than guessing.
After the coating has cured sufficiently, suitable defects can be refined and polished.
☐ Panel wipe / degreaser
☐ Cleaning cloths
☐ Coarse, medium and fine abrasives
☐ Sanding block / suitable sanding tools
☐ Main body filler
☐ Mixing board
☐ Filler spreaders
☐ Finishing glaze
☐ Tack cloths
☐ Masking tape
☐ Masking paper or film
☐ Primer filler
☐ Correct colour coat
☐ Compatible clearcoat where required
☐ Compound / polish
☐ Suitable PPE
Send us details of the panel, the damage and the finish you’re trying to achieve. We’ll help you work through the products you need before you order.
Always follow the latest manufacturer technical and safety data for the specific products you use. Wear appropriate PPE and check product compatibility before application.
