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Paint repair with 3M Finesse-it
Automotive Manufacturing: End of Line & Offline Repair

Automotive Manufacturing: End of Line & Offline Repair

  • Some jobs are too big or time-consuming to be done on the assembly line. Large area paint repair requires defects be removed, the surface prepared and may require surfaces to be masked before paint is applied and finished. 3M has efficiency tools, supplies and processes for every stage of a repair – allowing you to deliver a fix in the shortest possible time with minimal waste.


Typical Process Steps

  • Tools for offline repair
  • 1. Surface Prep

    Typically, in an offline repair, surfaces are sanded to smooth defects and cleaned to ensure optimal adhesion

    2. Large Area surface repair

    The surface is then masked and primers, basecoats and clearcoats are applied

    3. Paint Finishing

    Then compounding, polishing and buffing takes place to enhance paint quality and factory finish.


Featured End of Line & Offline Repair Applications

  • Operator sanding with 3M Finesse-it
  • Paint Preparation

    Paint preparation, or surface prep tasks often feature different forms of grinding, sanding and finishing – ensuring the substrate is optimally prepped for paint or coating adhesion.

    Learn more about our new dust free abrasive paint prep system below.

  • Deliver professional, dust-free performance along with a swirl-free finish, hour after hour in high-production industrial environments where dust extraction is required.

  • Superior dust extraction and load-resistance makes this innovative Net Disc ideal for large-area prep work.


  • Auto body paint masking application
  • Masking

    Effective masking requires reliable coverage and adhesion to achieve sharp color lines and surface protection. 3M masking products are engineered to stick firmly to many different substrates, survive the heat of the bake cycle and then remove cleanly to help keep your production efficient.

  • Masking to the right depth can mean the difference between a perfect paint job and one that needs rework. 3M™ Adjustable Paint Masking Applicator is a robust masking tape application tool used to apply Scotch® Fine Line and 3M™ High Performance tapes (up to 0.75 inch/19 mm) on complex surfaces, such as the roofline or rear hatch of a vehicle.

  • This green crepe paper tape is ideal for critical paint masking applications in automotive, specialty vehicle, and industrial markets, where strong holding and high temp performance is required.

  • Scotch® High Temperature Fine Line Tape 4737 features a natural rubber, pressure sensitive adhesive that holds reliably to surface contours. Its smooth, vinyl backing provides conformability for working with complex shapes and curved surfaces. Due to its specially developed backing, this tape resists lifting around corners or in depressed areas.

  • Films are designed to protect in paint applications involving temperatures up to 360°F or where bleed-through of solvents and paints may occur. It is excellent for two-tone, blackout and repair painting to match OEM finishes.


  • Operator using spray gun
  • Coating Application

    As an industry leader in paint application equipment and personal protective equipment, 3M continues to innovate and change the way you apply paint and other coatings.

  • The 3M™ Performance Spray Gun is the industrial coating solution that can help reduce variability in your process and boost productivity by giving technicians a smarter way to spray.

  • With quick -change replaceable atomizing heads ranging from 1.1 to 2.0, it’s like getting a brand new spray gun with every new nozzle.

    *Available for both pressure and gravity fed systems

  • All-in-one disposable solution for measuring, mixing, filtering and spraying of paint materials.


  • Paint defect repair with 3M Finesse-it pad
  • Large Area Paint Repair

    3M has the expertise and easy-to-use system to help you achieve a defect-free finish.

  • Deliver professional, dust-free performance along with a swirl-free finish, hour after hour in high-production industrial environments where dust extraction is required.

  • One of our highest powered sanding and buffing tools, it is commonly used in AOEM paint shops for large buffing applications on large clear coat repairs.

  • Trizact™ abrasives provide technicians the best opportunity to spend less time buffing and polishing by refining the previous sand scratch allowing them to achieve the finest finish available.

  • 3M™ Perfect-It™ 1-Step Finishing Material features the cut of rubbing compound with the fine finish of polish.

  • When used as part of the 3M™ Perfect-It™ 1-Step System, our 3M™ Perfect-it™ Foam Finishing Pad compounds and polishes in one step – allowing you to achieve a high-gloss finish without the time and expense of traditional compounding.


  • Worker applying floor protection film
  • Surface Protection

    3M Surface Protection solutions allow you to protect shop walls and floors, as well as areas of the vehicle that won’t be painted.

  • Ideal for a wide range of temporary surface protection in industrial settings. Its liquid-proof layer protects work surfaces from water, oils, solvents and more.

  • 3M™ Dirt Trap Nonwoven Protection Material is a specially engineered covering material that protects and brightens paint booth walls and floors. Nonwoven construction traps dust and overspray and its bright white color creates better visibility for technicians and a more pleasant shop appearance for collision repair customers.

Two workers in automotive plant
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