shavings, etc.
4. Allow the alcohol to evaporate from the surface until it is completely dry.
5. When the damaged area is thoroughly cleaned, determine the type of repair that is needed, based on the repair
types listed in the chart on page 5, to ensure the best possible results.

CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE: (after repairs are complete)
Immediately remove filler from skin, clothing, tools and other objects with acetone.
After sanding Signature Plate, dust off clothing and equipment to remove skin-irritating particles.
Safely dispose of used mixing buckets, mixing sticks, sanding materials, unused quantities of filler and paint
materials after they have fully cured.

.

If welding or cutting near a Signature Plate panel, be very careful to not overheat the panel material. Excessive
heat could melt the core material and cause the panel to delaminate.

Always wear the proper protective gear for the process being carried out. Manufacturer instructions for
application and safety precautions to be followed when using their products should always supersede
SUPREME provided information.

DO NOT attempt to hammer out a dent in the Signature Plate panel. Doing so will result in delamination of the
panel, steel plate separating from the core material.
Types of Signature Plate Damage and How to Repair

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Signature Plate Maintenance and Repair Manual
SURFACE SCRATCHES-REPAIR OPTION 1

March 2015

SCRATCHES, DENTS, AND GOUGES-REPAIR
OPTION 2

Description:

Description:

Only outer surface of panel is affected, no exposure of core.
Panel performance not impaired. Repair is for cosmetic
reasons.

Scratches and gouges (2.0” or wider) that penetrate the paint
and gouge the steel plate and/or expose the panel’s core
material.

How to Repair:
1.

Conduct a Delamination Test prior to starting repair
process, see page 4.

2.

Clean affected area per Cleaning and Prep process on
page 6.

3.

Following body filler manufacturer’s instructions prepare
and apply filler material.

How to Repair:
1.

Conduct a Delamination Test prior to starting repair
process, see page 4.

2.

Clean affected area per Cleaning and Prep process on
page 6.

3.

Following body filler manufacturer’s instructions
prepare and apply filler material.

4.

4.

After the body filler has cured, per manufacturer’s
instruction, sand the filler area to a smooth surface using
a fine grit sandpaper.

5.

Clean surface per filler manufacturer’s instructions to
prep the area for paint.

6.

Paint over the repaired area, following the paint
manufacturer’s prep and application instructions and
using the appropriate matching paint. Contact Supreme
Warranty/Customer Service/Customer Service/Customer
Service if information is needed on paint codes.
* In this type of repair the Fast Top Coat Paint
System can be used. It is applied with a phonetic
roller without the use of primer and base coats.

Use putty knife to fill gouge completely. Ensure there
are no air pockets in the filler material as it is applied.

5.

Cover repair area with Mylar film, tape one end, then
smooth with putty knife to remove air bubbles and
push excess filler away from repair area. This method
requires less sanding after the filler has cured.

6.

Allow the filler to fully cure, per filler manufacturer’s
instructions. When the Mylar film starts to lift away
from the filler material it is an indicator that the curing
process is complete.

7.

Carefully remove the Mylar film.

8.

Lightly sand, with fine grit sandpaper to feather edges
and to promote adhesion of paint.
9. Wipe down the repair surface with a tack cloth to prep
the surface for paint.
10. Apply paint per paint manufacturer’s instructions with
appropriate matching color paint.
* It may be necessary to apply a primer base,
paint, and then top coat to achieve the best
possible color match and blend.

* It may be necessary to apply a primer base, paint,
and then top coat to achieve the best possible color
match and blend.
* Painting processes should be carried out by
qualified personnel to ensure the best possible
results.
7.

*

After the paint process is completed, thoroughly clean
the repair area to ensure the repair is acceptable.

Note:

Painting processes should be carried out by
qualified personnel to ensure the best possible
results.

Note:

When sanding for application of paint, sand a minimum of 3 inches
around perimeter of the area to be repaired. Failure to do so can result
in a lack of adhesion and failure of repair.

When sanding for application of paint, sand a minimum of 3 inches
around perimeter of the area to be repaired. Failure to do so can result
in a lack of adhesion and failure of repair.

Always perform a Delamination Test prior to starting any repair on Signature Plate walls. Repairs applied to a wall were delamination
has started, due to the damage, will result in an ineffective repair. Delamination, if not corrected, may weaken the walls structural
integrity over time.

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Signature Plate Maintenance and Repair Manual
HOLE THROUGH PANEL NOT EXCEEDING 3.0” in DIA.REPAIR OPTION 3

March 2015

around perimeter of the area to be repaired. Failure to do so can
result in a lack of adhesion and failure of repair.

Description:
A hole completely though the panel, allowing weather and
debris to enter the cargo area, that is not larger than 3.0”
in diameter.

WARNING:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPLACE/REPAIR A
SIGNATURE PLATE PANEL WITHOUT
SUPPORT FROM SUPREME
WARRANTY/CUSTOMER SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS.
UNAUTHORIZED PANEL REPLACEMENTS
MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER MATERIALS AD
PROCESSES USED THAT COULD HAVE A
NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE OVERALL
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WALL.

How to Repair:
1

Conduct a Delamination Test prior to starting repair
process, see page 4.

2

Clean affected area per Cleaning and Prep process on
page 6.

3

Using body filler manufacturer’s instruction prep and
apply filler to both the exterior side and interior side of
the hole.

4

Using a putty knife carefully fill the hole from the interior
first. It may be necessary to fill the hole in several
stages, unsupported filler sags. Mix a small quantity. Fill
edge of hole, pushing filler firmly into edges.

5

Cover repair area with Mylar film, tape one end, then
smooth with putty knife to remove air bubbles and push
excess filler away from repair area. This method requires
less sanding after the filler has cured.

6

Allow fully cure per the body filler manufacturer’s
instructions.

7

After the interior applied filler has cured, apply filler to
the exterior portion of the hole making sure that the filler
is completely filling the space.

8

Repeat Step 5.

9

Allow the filler to cure per the manufacturer’s
instructions. Then carefully remove the Mylar film.

10 Verify that the filler is completely cured by trying to
make an impression in the filler with a fingernail. If the
filler is completely cured you will not be able to make an
impression in the filler with a fingernail.

HOLE THROUGH PANEL EXCEEDING 3.0” in DIA –REPAIR
OPTION 4

* Some fillers will cure faster with the use of hot air.
If acceptable the filler manufacturer will note
what temperature and time to be used.

Description:
A hole completely though the panel, allowing weather
and debris to enter the cargo area, that is not larger than
3.0” in diameter.

11 After all the filler is completely cured, lightly sand the
repair surface to feather out the filler. Use a high grit
sandpaper to limit any over sanding to the filler.
12 Remove debris from sanding from the repair surface then
wipe the surface down with a tack cloth. This preps the
surface for paint and improves the adhesion of the paint
to the filler material and panel.

It is highly recommended that repairs of this
nature are completed through a
qualified/Supreme designated Service Center.
How to Repair:
1

13 Mask off the repair area to prep for paint.
14 Apply paint following the paint manufacturer’s
instructions and Supremes’ paint color requirement.

Contact Supreme Warranty/Customer Service for
information on Supreme qualified Service Centers near
you.

* Painting processes should be carried out by
qualified personnel to ensure the best possible
results.
15 After the paint process is complete, clean the repair
surface thoroughly to ensure the repair is acceptable.
Note:

Painting is recommended on exterior surfaces. Painting not
required on interior surfaces.

Note:

When sanding for application of paint, sand a minimum of 3 inches

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