Looking to do some body work...need advise
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Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 7
From: Chicago, IL
Looking to do some body work...need advise
Well, with the warm weather around the corner here in Chicago, I am looking to do some minor body work. You know, replace/scrape off little rusted sections of sheet metal, maybe fill over some dents. Does anyone have a good instructional resource or a good way for me to research how to do body work? I work on my truck a lot, but have never attempted any Bondo work or anything like that. I am thinking it can't be too hard. But I need to know where to start, and any tips, hints, and limitations to what I can do with Bondo and when I need to start welding would help. Oh, and I learned to TIG and MIG last year, so I have a welder readily available if need be for bigger things. Thanks.
Champion
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,839
Likes: 5
From: Apex, NC
I was in the body buisness for about 3.5 years, so I can give you some advice.
As far as body filler goes, if your working on a major dent (anything bigger than a ding), don't let the body filler to all the work. Try to pull the dents out the best you can. You can use a stud welder and slide hammer to do that. To prep the metal to make sure the body filler adheres properly, use a 36 grit grinding disc on the area to be filled and don't lay the body filler on too thick. Try to get the body filler as smooth as possible with the spreader to make sanding it easier. You can start sanding the body filler with 80 grit sandpaper, but when you get to the last coat switch to about 180-220 grit and prime the area with 2 or 3 coats, and then sand the primer wet with 400 grit sandpaper. You can dust a light coat of black spray paint as a guide coat to check for straightness as you sand.
As far as welding, if you're doing patch work, don't let the metal get too hot or it will warp. Be patient and weld in very small sections, letting the metal cool.
If you're going to do the painting, remember one thing... the time you take doing the body work and prep work will be shown in the paint so take your time and make sure the panels are straight and the body filler is smooth.
As far as body filler goes, if your working on a major dent (anything bigger than a ding), don't let the body filler to all the work. Try to pull the dents out the best you can. You can use a stud welder and slide hammer to do that. To prep the metal to make sure the body filler adheres properly, use a 36 grit grinding disc on the area to be filled and don't lay the body filler on too thick. Try to get the body filler as smooth as possible with the spreader to make sanding it easier. You can start sanding the body filler with 80 grit sandpaper, but when you get to the last coat switch to about 180-220 grit and prime the area with 2 or 3 coats, and then sand the primer wet with 400 grit sandpaper. You can dust a light coat of black spray paint as a guide coat to check for straightness as you sand.
As far as welding, if you're doing patch work, don't let the metal get too hot or it will warp. Be patient and weld in very small sections, letting the metal cool.
If you're going to do the painting, remember one thing... the time you take doing the body work and prep work will be shown in the paint so take your time and make sure the panels are straight and the body filler is smooth.
