Verkmiester

Hey guys,
i bought a 97 EK hatch as a project a month ago, i am now getting to the body work stage and would like some tips. I have done mechanical work on cars for 10+ years however the most experience i have with painting is small things like grills/interior pieces etc.

With this car i am looking to learn the whole process and purchase whatever i need to do a decent job.

I have replaced the front bumper/fenders/hood/doors and rear bumper with better condition pieces from various sources. The only original panels left are rear quarters and roof. The drivers rear quarter looks like it had a new panel welded on but it was done poorly and shows the entire weld line through the paint. I am wondering if my plan is headed in the right direction.

-Identify problem areas
-Sand whole car down
-fill deeper dents with glass reinforced filler
-sand
-fill same dents and small dents with light filler?
-sand
-finish smoothing everything out with a glaze?
-sand
-Primer whole car (2k epoxy primer)?
-final sanding before paint
-single stage paint
-wet sand / cut /polish

Done?

Lastly i am trying to create a list of tools i would need for all this for a budget.

-Orbital Sander
-Various grits of sandpaper
-Sanding block
-Glass filler / light filler / glaze
-Compressor / hoses (already have)
-Gun
-Respirator
-funnel filter
-stir rod / tape / poly other little things
-2k Epoxy Primer
-Single Stage Paint
-cutting/polish agents?

Like i said this is completely new to be but i'm willing to invest in tools and learn. Any tips or things i have completely wrong would be amazing!

tasco

I have only painted a few cars so you can correct me with what i say. What has worked for me is I would sand the whole car down with 80 grit with either a electric or if you have a big enough compressor a air sander. Then I would sand the dents and the quarter panel weld line down to bare metal. Next I would spray a epoxy coat over the bare metal to keep moisture from getting to the metal and prevent rust. Apply the glass filler, sand, then the light body filler where needed. Sand those areas smooth then apply 3 coats of high build 2k primer surfacer to the whole car. Block the entire car smooth and work your way up to 400 grit and then paint. You may end up spraying primer and blocking the car more then once. You will also want a couple different length blocks.

Hidenplanvew

Tasco is close but here is quick run down

DA whole car 80 grit
Body fill any lows and tap down any highspots (only kitty hair bondo needed is for welds or holes if your cheap. It gets hard as a rock and needs 36 grit then re bondo with normal bondo)
Epoxy
2k high build or polyester
Sand 320 the 400wet then 600wet (use guide coat on all these stages)
seal (epoxy reduced 10%)
base
clear
sand
buff

This is a pretty easy rundown

Sic_DA_Nine

you do NOT have to go through the whole car with 80 grit.

sand repair area with 80
do metal work/body filler
level out filler with 120 -> 180 -> 240
prime ONLY repaired areas
guide coat primer area
block repair area

sand complete of car with 500

ri/mask
wax and grease remover
tack rag
paint

add guide coat to your shopping list
use it on the repair areas after you applied filler
that ill show you if the panel is completely straight

its easier said then done.

be patient
follow the primer and paint instructions (flash time)

last thing you want is it to look nice for a month and have the paint/primer shrink

Hidenplanvew

I think I miss read, thought he wanted to strip the car down to bare metal. In locations of lightweight fill, rough up with 80 grit first, 80 to get flat then glaze and sand 80 for fast cut then 180, 240 is a waste if your going to primer. Pick up at sealer and go from there...

There are may ways to skin a cat your just going to have to pick and choose.