I would recommend "Aircraft Stripper" available from an auto parts store and
strip to bare metal (if you have cracks I will give you a 100% moneyback
guarantee that they will reappear unless you strip). Then use a metal etch
such as "Chem-Grip" to give a (temporary)protective coating and something
for the primer to stick to. Rust can be ground off if not too deep. Just
make sure you get all the way to the bottom of any pits or it'll come back.
If possible you should chemically remove rust with an acid derusting agent.
Small dents can be filled with "Bondo" or lead.
Ideally you will have the car primed before you take it to the pros. The
reason for this is twofold. For one thing, one of the primers jobs is
filling small sanding scratches and tiny airholes you may have gotten in the
filler. Also, when sanding the primer you will more easily see and feel any
hidden dents or irregularities so you can fix them before you get the top
coat on. Spraying primer is relatively easy. You have the primary tool
already - the air compressor. You can get away with a cheap gun for primer.
It's also a good experience, and after priming a few cars maybe you'll get
the nerve up to lay some paint down!
I'd also recommend a book called "How to Restore Your Collector Car" by Tom
Brownell or a similar one. The $20 or 30 you spend for a good book will be
paid back many times.
Good luck!
<dnw>
1972 Midget
1998 Safari
1999 9-3
1964 (Me)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Snyder" <wtsnyder@juno.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 12:45 PM
Subject: Sanding and Prepping for Paint
> Hello list,
> My son and I are restoring a '72 BGT and have finished the mechanicals,
> put in an OD tranny, and redone the interior. Now, we're ready to tackle
> sanding and prepping for paint. We would like to do that work ourselves
> to save cash and then have a body shop do the spraying. Can someone on
> the list give a good rundown on the steps we need to take, including
> types and grits of sandpaper, prep solutions, small dent repair, etc. We
> have a relatively rust free body with only a few rust bubbles, and only
> small dents. The paint on the car now appear WAY too thick and has
> spiderweb cracking. We have an air compressor and a dual action air
> sander and a jitterbug sander. Thanks in advance for your help and
> advice.
>
> Bill Snyder
> '67 B
> '72 BGT in process
///
/// mgs@autox.team.net mailing list
/// or try http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
///
|