Body work advise?

[TrxR]

Anyone know some where for some tips on doing some body work? What I am up to is I want to take one of my old Dakota fenders and prep and paint it to try a couple of different colors. Im not looking to get it perfectly straight just some sanding and primer recommendations. I have access to a DA sander and compressor.

Thanks

[flyboy01]

My advice, don't!

If you are dumb enough to get involved with body work, then start by going here to learn: http://www.autobody101.com/forums/

[TrxR]

I dont plan on doing the whole truck. Im not that crazy. I am just wanting to do a fender for some color testing to help choose my final color. Right now I am stuck between 1970 Sublime or 2005 Electric lime metalic.

Thanks

[67 dartgts]

Hello:
 

My advice, don't!

  flyboy01 said that and I could not agree more.
 Find a good body shop see what kind of deal u can make with him...
 Think about this-- one wrong hammer swing or sanding over a body line crease may cost you
hundres of dollars. So your going to have to fix that---probaly at the same body guy.


   Maynard

[TrxR]

I guess I should have mentioned that this fender also has the dog leg rotted off and is going to be scrapped for a new fender. I am looking to do this just to see the colors laid down on some sheet metal. I was suggested to just take some 320 or 400 grit and knock the shine off the original paint the coat it with some primer. Let the primer dry then hit it with some sand paper then give it a few coats of paint.

What do you think.  Keep in mind this is just a scrap fender and I will be using rattle can paint that I had mixed.

[67 dartgts]

Heiio:

Yeah I got no problem on that..In fact it is problely the best way to find out if you got the touch for body work.  I've foound that there are very few guys that excel at body work and also excel at being a top Wrench.  Who knows you may be one of them..  

    Gud Luk

   Maynard

[doug 371]

i excel at both...just dont tell anyone

[ski]

The cutting and welding part is OK.  After that I want no part of it.  Bodymen deserve all the pay they get.

[hemi_jay]

I have been spending 10+ weekends straightening my 'cuda's passenger side quarter panel. Bodywork is a daunting task indeed, especially if you don't have some nice cheap labor to help you. I love painting though.

[67 dartgts]

i excel at both...just dont tell anyone

doug 371 saiid that.

 Hello:  Well dough your lucky to have those talents.  Just a note to compliment you on your talent.  Also to nail down my 400 post.   

   MAynard

[TrxR]

Thanks guys.  I plan on leaving the major body work and paint to the professionals. My Uncle has been a body man and painter for 30 years so he will be doing the work to the truck. I am just wanting to do some test sprays for colors on one of the old fenders.

[MyCreation68]

I have a ton-o-learning ahead of me. I plan on because of expenses doing nearly all the work myself. I'll learn how to do all the bodywork, welding, filler, paint, engine assembly, transmission assembly, rear end assembly, frame welding, suspension welding, etc. it's going to be crazy. the fiance is gonna kill me when I get down to the work.

[flyboy01]

i excel at both...just dont tell anyone

..and he is modest about it too. 

[Teeto]

Instead of bothering to sand and prep the panels just go to the supply shop you are getting your materials from and buy a few spray out cards. They are large black and white cards that you spray with you paint to check a color. Then just hold the card up to the vehicle to see what it would look like.

[68fish]

What these guys are telling you is spot-on. You're okay for a test shoot if thats what you want to do. If you're thinking about tackling the paint and body work yourself, get ready for a long and humbling experience. I know first hand. I've had to do just about everything two or three times in order to get it right. I still have a long, long way to go.

Of course on the bright side, I'll have the best arm strength I've ever had in my life from endless hammering and sanding.

[flyboy01]

Yup, its good for building forearm and hand strength. Even better than some "other" activities. 

One of the good things about doing bodywork, it does give you the satisfaction of telling people that you really did do everything on the car yourself.

[uwee440]

Just remember to get  a respirator,and be patient.

[crvtec90]

i have also learned the hard way that its a lot of work. but i have seen what a lot of people pay good money 4 and it looks less than desirable and does not last. if u do the body work u only have yourself to take blame if u dont like it. i am much more comfortable knowing that i did not pay someone else to do something i could do. then again, time is money!

[dustertogo]

 When people ask me about doing bodywork, they say it LOOKS easy to do. I give them some advice and let them try it for themselves. Not to sound like an ass but the next time most of them will gladly pay to have it done. It requires alot more time and effort then they think it will and the materials are very pricey if you want to use the good stuff. Troy.

[fourspeed]

For that fender...

Wash it, then wipe it down good with some lacquer thinner or wax & grease remover. DA the fender with 180 assuming the paint is in decent shape. Sand it just enough that all the shine is gone, but not down to bare metal. Then a coat or two of primer, and paint. If the existing paint is in bad shape, DA the fender in 80 grit right down to bare metal. Then prime and paint.

400 grit is too fine and the primer won't bite.

[flyboy01]

Honestly, I started working weekends on my car doing the bodywork on 4/23/07, now 7 months later I am almost ready for primer. I figure that I have about 450 hours in the bodywork alone. Bodywork is not easy! The biggest problem is having to re-do all your work. I spent the last 2 weekends redoing the very first panel repair I did to the car 6 months ago, along the way I learned a lot. Would I do it again? YES! But the difference is, I now know how to do it and it would take me a lot less time this go around. The biggest reward is when I take my car to a show next year and I will be able to tell people that I did it all myself. 

My advice to you, take a few classes at a community college with a body shop. I learned the hard way, but I wish I took classes before I started.

Also, it DOES take a lot of money to do a car right. I spent over $1000 on tools and expendable supplies, $120 for fillers and glazes, $140 for sandpaper, $200 for various sanding blocks and boards, $120 for a good D/A sander (well spent). $100 for dryers and filters, $150 for a gun, $200 in primers, $40 for a respirator, $400 for a compressor, not to metion a whole bunch of other supplies I can't remember. When I look back, it might have been cheaper to have someone do it for me, but if you are comitted, the satisfaction of doing it yourself is priceless.

If you really want to do it, go for it, but don't say we didn't warn you.

[68fish]

 

Everything Flyboy said is right on.

I got lucky on some of the tools because some of my friends were kind enough to let me borrow theirs. But if you like the idea of saying you did it yourself. Go for it !!!

[75Dart440]

I have about 150 hours in my engine compartment alone.  Stripped to bare metal, some rust holes cut out and welded new metal in.  I even finished the areas that are hidden once the sheet metal is put back on, just because I know it is there!  Another 20 hours in the floor pans and spare tire well just for removal and welding the new panels in.  They still have to be seam sealed and painted yet.