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Tue May 22, 2012 5:31 pm

I need the input of the body and paint experts. I think I am ready for paint on my 69 Ghia Coupe. I hammered out the dents, replaced the front clip and stripped the paint off a used deck lid (old one was rusted). Door hinges refurbed and adjusted with shims. Windows and trim are all off. I'd like to do as much of the work myself before getting paint estimates but not sure how far I should go. Do I have to strip hammered out areas to bare metal? Looks like there may be some bondo on the right front fender too. I'm a newbie on paint and body stages so detailed advise would help. Thanks!

Tue May 22, 2012 9:58 pm

If you can, DO NOT go to bare metal. Do as much body work as possible without going all the way down to bare. Going bare leaves a few issues with the metal. sometimes it may need to be dipped in a chemical sealant. then it needs etching primer. wet sand the etching primer. and then regular primer etc.

it's a bit much for doing a regular street car paint job.
BUT if you're looking for that show car quality paint job, I would do all body work, as minimal filler as possible, on metal at least, and then have it dipped.

have you got pictures?

Wed May 23, 2012 1:57 am

Thanks! Yes I have pics and will post them tomorrow.

Appreciate the quick response.

Wed May 23, 2012 7:19 am

I prefer to start with a blank canvas. That means i would like the car to be stripped all the way down to metal. With all the paint and body filler removed i can get a feel for what the car needs. Sometimes there are so many prior paint jobs it makes the car seem "Wavy".

I never trust prior bodywork, so being that its completely stripped i can see the rust, dents and so on and repair those areas as needed.

There are several primers on the market that adhere to bare metal, these are called "DTM" or Direct to Metal primers which already have the necessary chemicals in them to stick to properly sanded and cleaned bare metal.

Wed May 23, 2012 2:54 pm

[img]https://picasaweb.google.com/ernieb825/O2COOLED69KGCoupe?authkey=Gv1sRgCLST6MGj7-qKQA[/img]

Here are some pics. Hope you wont have a problem viewing.

Thanks for your inputs!

Thu May 24, 2012 5:45 am

I'm with matt on this , take it all the way back , it will be a better in the long run

Thu May 24, 2012 12:56 pm

Appreciate the input guys. Elbow grease it is then. Now I have to figure out the easiest stripper..... if there's such a thing :)

Thanks!

Thu May 24, 2012 1:53 pm

The pounded out/dents/cracked filler/rust bubbles etc has to be taken down to bare metal. The good original paint/primer can be left on with good results.

Thu May 24, 2012 7:29 pm

Mike Fisher wrote: The pounded out/dents/cracked filler/rust bubbles etc has to be taken down to bare metal. The good original paint/primer can be left on with good results.

I think that's the route I'll take. Strip the affected areas and leave the solid ones alone.

Thu May 24, 2012 8:48 pm

Wet sand etch primer? NEVER.