Doing your own bodywork?

[A Sucked Orange]

I am curious how feasible it is to take care of some minor dents and such, and then repaint your own car in a garage? Has anyone done it? I am generally a pretty good craftsman but haven't any experience with bodywork.

We have a '72 TR6 half taken apart in the garage that I'd like to do something with. Repair dents, remove surface rust and respray.

Any good articles on the basics out there?

Photo for reference (not our car)

[MaksV]

it can totally be done. Need a large air compressor, plastic sheets, a sparay gun, pvc pipe, and a set of coveralls.

[A Sucked Orange]

Ok. What is the PVC pipe for?

I am currently concerned with:

1) Bondo application and sanding techniques for small dents. How to make sure you actually create a smooth dentless/bulgeless result. There are lots of curves on this car.

2) Prep for painting.

3) Painting techniques.

[ck_taft325is]

Ok. What is the PVC pipe for?

I am currently concerned with:

1) Bondo application and sanding techniques for small dents. How to make sure you actually create a smooth dentless/bulgeless result. There are lots of curves on this car.

2) Prep for painting.

3) Painting techniques.

A 12" sanding block, a 24" sanding block, Bondo, feather finish, hardening additive, glazing putty, "paddles" or bondo applicators in varied sizes (2", 4", 6") 380, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 grit sand paper, a garage that you can keep at ~70 degree's, a gravity feed gun, 60g compressor, PVC pipe for a "cage" to hang 10m plastic sheets off of to create a "dust free" environment, PVC cement, cartridge style respirator with cartridges rated for VOC's, x2 box fans, x1 HEPA filter, x1 micro dust filter, duct tape, cardboard, rattle can automotive primer for guide coats, the internet, Google, a shit load of free time, understanding neighbors, being single, goggles, primer, paint, paint thinner, a shit load of time and did I mention patience? Yeah, patience.

[Big Willy]

I would suggest in reading this thread if you haven't yet:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=148000

[dirtysix]

A 12" sanding block, a 24" sanding block, Bondo, feather finish, hardening additive, glazing putty, "paddles" or bondo applicators in varied sizes (2", 4", 6") 380, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 grit sand paper, a garage that you can keep at ~70 degree's, a gravity feed gun, 60g compressor, PVC pipe for a "cage" to hang 10m plastic sheets off of to create a "dust free" environment, PVC cement, cartridge style respirator with cartridges rated for VOC's, x2 box fans, x1 HEPA filter, x1 micro dust filter, duct tape, cardboard, rattle can automotive primer for guide coats, the internet, Google, a shit load of free time, understanding neighbors, being single, goggles, primer, paint, paint thinner, a shit load of time and did I mention patience? Yeah, patience.

That about covers it.
Suggest you grab a couple of throw away panels and have a play around with what you want to do. Start small.

[A Sucked Orange]

Thanks guys. Great stuff.

[AbsorbantNut]

Totally, I'm doing it right now. And I'm 16. With the help of some friends, it shouldnt be too bad.

[///digitalme]

super easy! use as little bondo as possible other wise with vibration it will crack!!!!
i fixed a hood on my car, and did body work all around the car with no problem...
also no experience whatsoever!

heres some inspiration










after paint

[AbsorbantNut]

What it started out like:

After first coat, still needs a lot more:

[8380 Labs]

What it started out like:

After first coat, still needs a lot more:

that's some serious bodywork, thanks for sharing.

[Pantless Spency]

that's some serious bodywork, thanks for sharing.

[AbsorbantNut]

that's some serious bodywork, thanks for sharing.

12 rust stopts sanded to the metal and filled, and half the hood sanded down to the metal, pulled and filled in buckled sections of hood, and sprayed with primer and paint.

Lets see what you've got;)

[ck_taft325is]

Starting in on the hood:





There's a replacement fender I finished up as well. I've got some door dings and misc. "waves" to smooth out but all in all each area of bondo has less than 1/3'rd of a 1/16".




P.S.

This is not a genuine AC Schnitzer ;)

[lolcantturn]

12 rust stopts sanded to the metal and filled, and half the hood sanded down to the metal, pulled and filled in buckled sections of hood, and sprayed with primer and paint.

No offense but if you call that "body work" I might as well open up my own collisions shop.