I have already posted this in the paint and body section but wanted to post it here too for more exposure....

Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have my 1972 coupe back. It will have the one piece Eckler's front clip on. I need information on some body work I plan on doing myself. What filler do I use for small nicks and gouges? I also have to grind out the quarter panel bonding strip on each side as it is still rough. Do I use something like Eckler's body fill product or something else like short hair filler? I need products name and place to purchase. Thanks so much!

Thomas

 

Ask around for body shop/paint supply stores in your area. They should be able to help you out with product selection. For a final coat to fill pinholes and small gouges you need what is called a glaze putty, for larger imperfections I've always used whatever body filler the store gave me not sure on brand name, any major repairs are gunna require fiberglass mat and resin. Good luck with the project. Also don't forget a long board, small board, body filler file for rough cutting, various grades of sand paper from 80-220, a PVC tube to wrap paper around for curved sections and a good dust mask, and there will be plenty dust!

 

like i said it'll be small stuff on the body work... it's a whole new front clip that I will have some bonding strips to fill and level and then some small nicks in the hood. Some small nicks along the front and rear edges of the door panels. Fun stuff you know.... I will also be stripping the complete rest of vehicle from the doors back and then prepinng the entire thing for paint.... lots of dust!

thanks again ,

Thomas

 

So long as you're not filling any huge gaps, and it's all scratches and nicks then you can use polyester primer. It goes on very thick and fills very well. Sand it down and see if you need another coat. If it sands down, a standard primer on top of that, sand it smooth again, and finally your base coat.

 

On the bonding strips...I usually "V" them out,and fill w/fiberglass matte,then grind smooth,so the bonding strips will never show up again.The small gouges,and nicks...I use chopped fiberglass matte,grind,then a spot putty.If the nicks are real small,then fiberglass jelly,or spot putty.I try to stay away from using bondo.Hit it w/ a good urethane primer,or epoxy,and block it w/guide coat,and repeat this a couple more times going to a smoother grit paper.And,it may be overkill w/the quality of primer these days,but I'd shoot the car w/a sealer.
As for stripping......I'm doing a 63 coupe here,and using #6802 Napa Blitz Stripper.That will come up as a bad number,but it's QT 6802,then they can get you the gallon.It's not as harsh as aircraft stripper,and stronger than vett stripper.My friend owns probably the oldest vett shop in the US,and has been using this stuff for many,many years w/no problems.It's water soluable,so wash it several times...each area after you do that section.Once stripped...I use 80 on a long board,and paint sticks on the edges wrapped in 80,prime,guide coat,block w/180,prime,guide coat,block wet w/400,then seal.............scuff ,and ready to paint....
You will get SEVERAL responses to this probably,and most will be different,and that's fine.Bodymen ALL have their own ways of doing things.We are a funny breed.I'll tell you what I learned about autobody...I went to a vocational school,and graduated w/honors,and the top student in 91.After school....EVERY boss that I had said I was a dumb azz,and the school was wrong,and do it HIS way...which,by the way...was the only correct way.Next shop...new boss...ALWAYS said that the last boss,AND myself were dumb azzes,and do it HIS way,which was the only correct way...I learned every way,and applied what I thought was best.I worked at a boat shop for several years,and did all the structual glass repair,and paint.To the best of my knowledge...noone has drowned. I'm not saying my way is the only,or even the best...I'm telling you what works for me,and I have no comebacks.When I don't know something...I call my buddy that has been doing Vettes since the early 60s,and ask.....Good luck,and I was very sorry to see when your new car got wrecked.

 

Bondo makes a great filler that I have used. Any AutoZone-like place will have it.

 

If you have a ecklers one piece clip,you just have to sand the ridge smooth,as there isnt a bonding strip there. From my experience on these front clips(I have installed a few),the biggest issue you will have if they have been installed correctly is getting them straight.they are wavy.You will have to skim coat most of the nose to get it perfectly flat(at least thats how I like them).Now, as far as the particular products are concerned,as vettesbydesign said,it is personal prefference so i wont even go there so you wont get too confused.
Good luck with your car,and if you need any help feel free to contact me.

 

Look in the yellow pages or online for an automotive paint store. I use Evercoat namebrand products. The Evercoat Rage Gold I believe is the finest large area filler and Evercoat glaze for small fill-ins. They are both 2 part materials. Then prime with K36 PPG high-build primer. IMO, these are all premium products that are worth the extra price.

 

this is what I was lookinng for... a step by step instructional... perfect thank you so very much... I was planning on Ving out the bondinng strip on the quarters as you described.... you filled inn the rest of the gaps I had on what next kinda things!

Sully

 

I actually have a near perfect one piece from Eckler's... all the body shop guys were astonished as to how straight it was with no bubbles nor waves.... it really is in great shape and will make the install and finish that much easier... the body shop is going to epoxy it on and then I am bringing her home to do the finish and prep and disassemble the rest of the car before stripping.... then once all the above is done it's off to the paint shop for a nice new coat of steel cities grey!