starting bodywork

[Mathew Gibson]

Here is a car i have rescued from a field. Finally have the money to start the paint job.

[mlevair]

nice!

[flat6_musik]

Cool!.....looks like you're getting somewhat close. Do you still have rust areas to cut out and replace?

[bjbuchanan]

Looks awesome keep it up

[terribleted]

I am assuming that these pictures depict what the car looks like before you start working on it?? Please tell me that you did not do any of this primer etc. into the old crusty rust under it finish. If you did I strongly suggest you start over. A car in this condition really must be stripped to the bare metal in order to get an even lasting final finish. The rust that I can see in the photos is enough for me to tell that there is almost certainly corrosion under that old paint that will surface through whatever you apply over it. I hate to see someone spend time and money for less than optimal results.

It does not take that much work to strip it then fix it then paint it when compare to fixing it painting it , fixing it, painting and finally stripping it and doing it right. Body work is a lot of work, best to do it once only. Here in Atlanta you can farm out the stripping to a couple different media blasters (jambs and exterior stripped for around $600-800 food for thought if you are low on elbow grease and have the cash to spare). The paint can be removed to the metal with sandpapers and more of that elbow grease, for heavily shaped areas (door jambs, corners etc.) aircraft stripper is useful and available at auto paint stores by the gallon or in spray cans for small areas (be careful with this stuff, protect anything you do not want ruined and clean residue off thoroughly after). Prime any bare metal as soon as possible after stripping (the same day is best as flash rust can reform on the surface for moisture in the air in a short time) . After stripping and priming then fix the rust holes and do any needed bodywork.

[Mike J]

Nice start ... going Red I assume? It will be nice when you finish it up.

[mlevair]

Matt just told me he welded in metal in all the rusty spots. I can hardly wait to se the finished car as he got it from me.

[4carbcorvair]

[flat6_musik]

I love seeing aftermarket mini-gauges in a Corsa dash!