Garage Body Work - Tips Needed.

[DanPrixGTP]

My car has taken a beating this winter and I'd really like to fix it up. Usually I'd bring it to a professional shop to get fixed, but as some of you read, I am expecting a kid now, so this is going to have to be done on a budget.

At this spot, lots of paint has chipped off, and I can continue to keep peeling it off. With bare metal showing, it won't be long until rust starts to form. Before things get worse, I'm going to take care of this now. My plan with this spot, was to tape off a section, sand it down, prime/paint/clear it with some rustoleum paint, possibly? Anything will look better than just bare metal showing. Other than that, just not sure on how to blend it.



Now, if this turns out okay, ill be attempting the other spots on the car with the same process. Here by the gas cap. Just sand it down, prime/paint/clear. And also re-paint the front air dam.





Any tips are much appreciated. I can turn a wrench, but I'm no body work guy. This will be my first attempt, so I'm looking for some insight from guys with a little experience in this category.

[lewis1952]

Go to write ups under Garage Painting. Any questions let me know.

[Russosaur]

Automotive touch up has a how to video on blending which your going to want to do.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

[Sven the Sexman]

Any bare metal I recommend using self-etching primer on. Everything else, just follow the write up that guy posted.

[Odi]

Holy **** I never expected your car to start looking worse than mine.

[Scottydoggs]

you gonna need some thin filler to level those chips out. as well as the rust spot under the gas door.

dont tape and sand it will leave a high edge. sand what you need to, prime, fill, sand, prime, paint, blend it in to the old paint, then clear the whole area. wet sand and buff it out.

[idrivejunk]

My plan with this spot, was to tape off a section, sand it down, prime/paint/clear it with some rustoleum paint, possibly? Anything will look better than just bare metal showing. Other than that, just not sure on how to blend it. Any tips are much appreciated.

Spray paint seems to be an art in here. Break off the loose chips but keep it as small as possible. Clean the rust off with sandpaper (maybe 320-400) a little bit. Round off the edges of the chips too but don't scratch the paint around it. Clean it off real good, practice with some gloss black spray paint and hit the spot, don't try to blend anything out, just spray as little outside the area as possible. Get enough on there, 3-4 good precise hits but don't run it. Step away and admire! After a wash job or two, maybe polish that up with whatever you have. Black is fun because its this simple and looks OK from a few feet away on a small spot. All you need is a scrap of sandpaper and one rattle can for this metal protecting job, in my opinion.

[DanPrixGTP]

Holy **** I never expected your car to start looking worse than mine.

Even with this mess, it still looks better than the massive paint peel on your car.

you gonna need some thin filler to level those chips out. as well as the rust spot under the gas door.

dont tape and sand it will leave a high edge. sand what you need to, prime, fill, sand, prime, paint, blend it in to the old paint, then clear the whole area. wet sand and buff it out.

What type of primer and filler do you suggest?

Also, wet sand after the clear coat has cured (24 hours)?

no wet sanding between coats?

[Scottydoggs]

i just wet sanded after the clear was dry. wet sand with 1200 with warm soapy water, then buff it. wax it 30 days later.

i used duplicolor sand able primer, it will help you get the paint back to level.

any small bondo kit will work. your only doing a paper thin layer to bring the chips and or rust spots back to the paint level.

[Scottydoggs]

dont forget some prep spray too, duplicolor sells that too. you use it after your all done with sanding, and then again after the filler is sanded, it take any oils or dirt off so the paint bonds better.

[DanPrixGTP]

When I buff to blend the paint, what compoumd should I use?

I thought you can't wax until after a month.

[Scottydoggs]

buffing only removes the fine scratches form the wet sanding.

i used good old cheap ass turtle wax liquid compound, works like a charm, used it on my re painted bumper, and my tinted tails.