How do I properly prep a car body?

[Berk765]

What do I need to prep the body for painting? I want to do a good job this time. Maybe make a list of the things I might need. Please.

[CAL]

What do I need to prep the body for painting? I want to do a good job this time. Maybe make a list of the things I might need. Please.

Not much,

1. files and sandpaper to remove and parting lines

2. filler as needed depending on kit... for any sink marks and uneven parting lines that don't sand and or file out.

3. Soap and water to clean the body.

4. Tack cloth to be used right before painting and priming.

5. Primer, I found Tamiya's to be good stuff.

[sdrodder]

First and this is basic is a good eye. This means you looks at the body to see the problems. Thanks that should be removed are moldlines and injector pin marks and lowspots, warps ect. On thing on ejector marks and low spots always use 2 part putty. More steps listed below.

2. Primer. Always have a primer ready. I never buy the plati coat stuff. I go to wal mart and buy their gray primer which is 97 cents. Or also what helps is flat black. You see alot of thing in it. Also another good primer is fill and sand primer. This will be helpfull for small scratches that are 2 small to be puttyed.

3. Putty and bondo. Always use 2 part putty as that stuff doesnt shrink. I use evercoat eurosoft putty. Great stuff and one tube lasts for ever and is avalible in autobody suply shops. The bondo you can get a wal mart and it is a small can and costs 10 bucks. Will be usefull for bigger jobs as if you do customizing.

4. Sandpaper. I love to use 3m product. Probably all the sand paper i have is 320 180 and 600 800 and 1000 grit. 320 and 180 will be used to to sand putty. 180 for first sand, 320 to finish up(and remove mold lines and should be bought at auto supply stores as it lasts longer. The 600 800 and 1000 is for sanding primer clearcoats. Can be bought at wal mart and it is 3m products. Works great.

[Berk765]

First and this is basic is a good eye. This means you looks at the body to see the problems. Thanks that should be removed are moldlines and injector pin marks and lowspots, warps ect. On thing on ejector marks and low spots always use 2 part putty. More steps listed below.

2. Primer. Always have a primer ready. I never buy the plati coat stuff. I go to wal mart and buy their gray primer which is 97 cents. Or also what helps is flat black. You see alot of thing in it. Also another good primer is fill and sand primer. This will be helpfull for small scratches that are 2 small to be puttyed.

3. Putty and bondo. Always use 2 part putty as that stuff doesnt shrink. I use evercoat eurosoft putty. Great stuff and one tube lasts for ever and is avalible in autobody suply shops. The bondo you can get a wal mart and it is a small can and costs 10 bucks. Will be usefull for bigger jobs as if you do customizing.

4. Sandpaper. I love to use 3m product. Probably all the sand paper i have is 320 180 and 600 800 and 1000 grit. 320 and 180 will be used to to sand putty. 180 for first sand, 320 to finish up(and remove mold lines and should be bought at auto supply stores as it lasts longer. The 600 800 and 1000 is for sanding primer clearcoats. Can be bought at wal mart and it is 3m products. Works great.

I have primer that is color place brand from Walmart, is that the primer you were talking about? Do I need to buy a sanding block? Do you basically start from the larger grit sandpaper, and gradually work toward the finer grit? Are you supposed to sand between coats of paint too?

[Berk765]

First and this is basic is a good eye. This means you looks at the body to see the problems. Thanks that should be removed are moldlines and injector pin marks and lowspots, warps ect. On thing on ejector marks and low spots always use 2 part putty. More steps listed below.

2. Primer. Always have a primer ready. I never buy the plati coat stuff. I go to wal mart and buy their gray primer which is 97 cents. Or also what helps is flat black. You see alot of thing in it. Also another good primer is fill and sand primer. This will be helpfull for small scratches that are 2 small to be puttyed.

3. Putty and bondo. Always use 2 part putty as that stuff doesnt shrink. I use evercoat eurosoft putty. Great stuff and one tube lasts for ever and is avalible in autobody suply shops. The bondo you can get a wal mart and it is a small can and costs 10 bucks. Will be usefull for bigger jobs as if you do customizing.

4. Sandpaper. I love to use 3m product. Probably all the sand paper i have is 320 180 and 600 800 and 1000 grit. 320 and 180 will be used to to sand putty. 180 for first sand, 320 to finish up(and remove mold lines and should be bought at auto supply stores as it lasts longer. The 600 800 and 1000 is for sanding primer clearcoats. Can be bought at wal mart and it is 3m products. Works great.

Thank you very much.