im bout to attempt tp fix all the minor dings all over my car and primer then MAYBE paint if i can find a garage and a spraygun setup for cheap. but i was wondering if anyone could point me into the right direction on HOW TO? like what is the RIGHT kind of bonda to use and how much etc... things like that. the car im paintin is a 97 civic dx coupe. i appreciate all the help. thanks

 

do you have any pics of the dents on your car? maybe someone coud help you with some steps on removing them easier with pics

 

Repairing dents is completely dependent on how they got there in the first place. For example you cant just mud (Bondo) hail dents, reason being is that the metal was stretched when the dent was created so when the car sits out in the sun and the metal heats and cools a few times the metal can tighten back up and pop your body work out. You should only use filler to smoothe the surface after the damage has been repaired. But as a general rule of thumb make sure you sand the area to be filled thruoughly with 80 or 120 grit and feather any areas that have been broken through old layers of paint. Next spread your filler in thin coats, thick coats cause pin holes which can shrink up after the car is painted. Block your body work with 80 grit on the first coat 120 on the second coat and finishing with 180 on you last coat is recomended. Most fillers should not be bulit up any thicker than 1/4" and glaze should not be built any thicker than 1/8". Deep sand scratches in your body work, or any areas for that matter, tend to shrink up after the car is painted even if filled with primer. Body work usually fails because A. the substraight under the filler is not sanded well enough, B. the filler is too thick, or C. the metal under the filler is stretched which alows for movement later. As far as which filler to use, I wouldnt suggest Bondo, I use Evercoat Z Grip or Rage Gold but there are plenty that do a good job it's usually up to your preference. Talk to some one at a paint store they can probably help.