TOUCHING UP

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 261, 28 June 1932, Page 2

TOUCHING UP

IMPROVING APPEARANCE WHILE CAR IS LAID UP. Next time your car is laid up for a few days time can profitably be spent in touching up the chassis aid paintwork of the wheels and brake drums, These parts, and in particular the brake drums, rapidly show signs of rust. Before applying any paint hose the parts and then wash down with petrol or turps. It is not really essential to rub down these parts so long as all grease is removed. Then one or two coats of quick-drying oil or enamel will produce an amazing improvement in the general appearance. The wheels, brake drums, axles and various parts of the braking gear can all be dealt with fairly easily, but touching up the wings is a little more difficult, as unless care is taken the repainted parts will show a strong contrast to the old surface. Patience is needed to make a good job. Rub down the rusty spofs or damaged sections until a bright metal surface is •obtained. Then apply a filler, according to the typ'e of paint to be used, and, when dry, rub down. Celluloid lacquer stopping pastes are applied with a knife, such as a putty knife, and each layer is allowed to dry and another added until the level of the patch is slightly abovs that of the surface of the old enamel. When hard, rub down until level with the surrounding portion. Then dry off. It is advisable, if the damage is bad, to give an undercoat before the final. finishing-off coat. If the touched-up wing be eellulosefinished, gentle polishing with a metal polish will help to make the patch almost indistinguishable, but the best procedure with an enamelled wing is to give it a coat of enamel over the entire surface after the blemishes have been obliterated.