How to / paint prep

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Apr 3, 2008 | 09:06 AM

Merlinhaggard

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How to / paint prep

Ive never done body work and thought I might give it a try. Where do I start. I dont have anything major, just chips and scrapes. The whole car is probably 2 coats of cheep spray can primer.

I tried to scrape it with a razor and that isnt gonna work. Should I wet sand it. Can I use an air sander?. Help please...

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Apr 3, 2008 | 09:10 AM

swtato

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From: Seabrook Texas

St. Jude Donor '05

When we did mine here a few weeks ago we used the razorblades and a DA Sander and got good results.

I know you are a member on the Houston C3 Club. Check our boards there are a few posts about some of the guys currently using 2 different chemical strippers. With just the rattle primer it should not be hard to strip that off.

Apr 3, 2008 | 09:28 AM

capecorvette

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From: yarmouth ma

do some research before you dive in there. allot of damage can be done if you use the wrong process. Search the body and paint area of this forum, maybe pick up a book or too at the book store. Most people use a razor then block sand. I Used a da, but I know how to use one properly and can keep it flat.
Its a very very long process, give yourself allot of time to do this. SOme people just write a check to a good body shop and let them handle it. But in the end doing it yourself is very rewarding.

Apr 3, 2008 | 09:35 AM

eastltd

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From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Try to block out one panel by hand using 180 grit paper (dry) using an X-cross pattern and see how it goes. That should remove the old primer and smooth out the panel. Just watch the edges.

Apr 3, 2008 | 10:05 AM

0Road-Race Vette

Former Vendor

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From: walpole ma

If you only have a couple of coats of spraycan primer to take off, then you can use a block with 80-180 grit paper. Start sanding and keep your eyse on what you are doing. As another member said , be gentle with the edges so you dont over sand . Use a hard block on the flat surfaces and a soft block around curves. Do all edges gently by hand. Again ,as long as you pay attention to what you are doing ,you should be fine.

Apr 3, 2008 | 10:56 AM

marshrat99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,135

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From: Dayton Oh

Just got thru my 79. I was too terrified to use power tools and hand sanded. For just a couple of primer coats, you shouldn't have too much problems doing by hand. Based on my experience, I'd start with 120 grit for the 1st pass. Next would be 180 or 200. Last would be 400. As mentioned above, use a x-cross pattern to keep the panels straight. Unless you encountered something totally unexpected, you could get thru this sanding in a couple of 8 hour days or less.

BTW, do yourself a favor and not put on any more primer until you select your particular paint system. Any sealers or primers you use MUST be matched to the paint system you intend to use.

Apr 3, 2008 | 11:06 AM

Merlinhaggard

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Im gonna give that a shot.. Thanks guys..

Apr 3, 2008 | 11:19 AM

Ron R

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From: Tampa FL

Yeah, definitely do it by hand. For one, a power sander can leave marks if the grit fills up, and then there is that whole pesky problem where if you push down too hard, slip up, or screw up in any way now you're doing fiberglass repairs. Not worth it to me, I would just do it by hand.