Refinish General Information
Complete Refinish
Refinish times in this Guide pertain to NEW, UNDAMAGED PARTS and are not intended for calculating complete vehicle refinish—single- or multi-stage. An estimate of this nature would suggest all new panels have been fitted to the vehicle.
Lifetime Refinish Warranty/Clear Coat
The major paint manufacturers listed below have provided the following information: "Major refinish paint manufacturers recommend that when performing refinish warranty repairs on an OEM multi-stage or basecoat/clearcoat finish, you must extend the application of clear to the nearest panel edge or breakpoint to qualify for lifetime warranty." AKZO —
Repaired/Used Panels
Labor times related to repaired and/or used panels—example: Remove and install or masking of glass, outside handles or exterior trim, feather prime & block, masking for primer surfacer application—are not included in refinish time. The steps required for refinishing a repaired and/or used panel may vary from those required for a new panel depending on the condition of the repaired and/or used panel.
Feather, Prime & Block
Is the Not-Included refinish operation that completes bodywork repair from 150 grit smoothness to the condition of a new undamaged panel, and the point at which refinish labor time begins. The labor and materials associated with feather, prime and block may vary depending upon the size of the repair area, and should be evaluated when determining the work to be performed. See Welded Panels under Estimating Information.
SPOT REPAIR/BLEND ADJACENT PANEL
Spot Repair
Spot repair is defined as applying color to the repaired area of a damaged panel to obtain full coverage of undercoats, and blending that color into the original panel finish so that no transition can be detected. The goal is to keep the actual repair as small as possible to avoid having newly applied color directly next to an undamaged adjacent panel(s). Clear coat is then applied to the entire panel. This refinish process minimizes color mismatch.
Blend for Color Match
Blending is defined as applying color, without necessity to cover undercoats, to less than the full surface area of an adjacent undamaged panel. Paint manufacturers recommend blending adjacent panels when a panel is replaced, or repaired and color applied to the full surface areas, or to the area that borders the adjacent undamaged panel(s). Clear coat is then applied to the entire blended panel.
Major Panels
Major panels are those listed: FRONT HEADER, FENDER, HOOD, COWL TOP, DOOR, ROCKER, ROOF, PICKUP CAB CORNER, PICKUP CAB BACK, QUARTER, PICKUP BED FRONT, PICKUP BED SIDE, VAN SIDE, VAN REAR CORNER, ENGINE LID, LUGGAGE LID, LIFT GATE, REAR RATE, TAIL GATE, REAR BODY