Plastic repair GURUS since 1981
3803 Flextex VT: Standard Operating Procedure
3803 Flextex VT is a tough, variable texture material formulated to simulate textured automotive plastics and metal. It can be used over or under most finishes and may be topcoated with Bumper and Cladding Coat paint, base/clear or single stage paint systems. Flextex VT has excellent durability and may be used as the finish coat where black texture is needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1
Clean part with 1000 Super Clean Plastic Cleaner or 1001-4 EcoPrep Plastic Cleaner. If very dirty, use 1020 Scuff Magic Prep Soap first.
*USE PROPER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHILE WORKING AROUND CHEMICALS!*
STEP 2
Compare texture to texture reference cards to identify the proper Flextex VT letdown percentage and gun setup to most closely simulate the grain. Texture reference cards have three coats of Flextex VT applied, and all are sprayed with a 1.4 mm nozzle gun at 25 psi.
Mix Flextex VT and lacquer thinner according to the following tables:
| Volume Mixing Ratios (fl oz) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 fl oz | 16 fl oz | 32 fl oz | ||||
| Letdown Ratio | 3803 | Thinner | 3803 | Thinner | 3803 | Thinner |
| 25% | 6.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 24.0 | 8.0 |
| 33% | 5.4 | 2.6 | 10.7 | 5.3 | 21.4 | 10.6 |
| 40% | 4.8 | 3.2 | 9.6 | 6.4 | 19.2 | 12.8 |
| 50% | 4.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Weight Mixing Ratios (grams) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 fl oz | 16 fl oz | 32 fl oz | ||||
| Letdown Ratio | 3803 | Thinner | 3803 | Thinner | 3803 | Thinner |
| 25% | 172.7 | 49.5 | 345.4 | 99.0 | 690.7 | 197.9 |
| 33% | 154.3 | 65.3 | 308.5 | 130.6 | 617.0 | 261.3 |
| 40% | 138.1 | 79.2 | 276.3 | 158.3 | 552.6 | 316.7 |
| 50% | 115.1 | 99.0 | 230.2 | 197.9 | 460.5 | 395.8 |
STEP 3
Best results are achieved by sanding the texture and retexturing the entire area. Sand texture as smooth as possible with 180 grit sandpaper. Progress to 320 grit sandpaper. Blow dust free.
STEP 4
Spray 1050 Plastic Magic Adhesion Promoter with one medium wet coat over the area to be retextured. Allow Plastic Magic to flash for 10 minutes.
STEP 5
Spray 3043 All Seasons Black Jack Waterborne Primer Surfacer over the entire area to be retextured. Allow 20-30 minutes to dry.
STEP 6
Sand with 240-320 grit sandpaper to remove underlying sandscratches. Fill imperfections with spot putty. Spray a second coat of 3043 Black Jack, dry, and sand again with 320 grit sandpaper. Achieve a smooth primered surface prior to application of Flextex VT.
STEP 7
Fill 1.4 mm HVLP gravity-feed spray gun with Flextex VT reduced to match the texture determined in Step 2. Adjust fluid needle halfway in. Adjust air pressure to 25 psi. Settings may be adjusted to fine-tune grain size.
STEP 8
Apply Flextex VT in light “splatter” coats from a distance of about 16 inches from the bumper. Move gun quickly to keep texture even and to avoid flowing the paint out. Allow five minutes of flash time between coats. Apply at least three coats to achieve desired textured appearance.
STEP 9
May be used without top coating or top coat with 3700-series Bumper and Cladding Color Coat any time after completely dry.
May also be top coated with interior automotive coatings for automotive interiors.
*USE PROPER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHILE WORKING AROUND CHEMICALS!*
