Trying to save some money on my body work.

N.OSaints · Aug 3, 2002

Hey guys, Everyday when i walk towards my car i just get disgusted. Its well i say " ugly"! I have a grey front bumper and a green car, dents all the way around and key marks. Its time for a fix, but the moneys not there. Soooo, i figure il do the body work myself and send it to a shop for the paint, right? Ok where do i start off? what supplys do i need? where do i pick them up?and around what will this cost me?
Thanks guys

owner of an ugly 2g n/t

stevo · Aug 4, 2002

Well, i figured i would start this off, maybe give a little help.

I think if you put dry ice next to dents in the steel parts (like hood) and hold it there for a little while, its supposed to make the metal contract and pop back out.

I could be wrong on this process, but its something like that.

As far as fiberglass and other parts, i have no idea and i am wondering too, because i would like to fix all the little dings in my car myself, so i dont pay a body shop to do the small ones.

Hope this helps, some.

2badrotties · Aug 4, 2002

It is very hard to tell someone how to do bodywork over the net. You will first need tools. Air compressor helps a lot. Materials cost more than you would think. I think that if you are serious about trying to do the job yourself , go to Boarders or Barns and Noble and buy a book on bodywork. You can pick up a very helpful book for around $20 - $25. Most stores will let you sit and read for as long as you want. DO IT ! You could also look at some back issues of Hot Rod magazine , they have some good info. Bodywork is not as easy as you think , but if you try, good luck. Take your time .

Blue97GST · Aug 4, 2002

Go get some Bondo-glass and an orbital sander. Mix the glass, then spread on a ding, and use the sander to smooth it back down. These instructions are not fully comprehensive, but thats the idea

2badrotties · Aug 4, 2002

Hey Blue 97GST, It's not quite that easy. I am trying to save the guy some time and money. Reading a little first is his best bet. Fixing something twice is a LOT harder than doing it right the first time. Bondo is cheap, a lot of the tools needed are cheap (grinder, sander, etc.) , spray can primer is cheap (if you don't have a compressor) , but paying someone to fix a mess would cost three times as much. Another idea would be to go to a couple of shops and try to work out a trade . Some bodywork for maybe a little help around the shop ( sweeping up, cleaning a few cars, or ? ).

Blue97GST · Aug 5, 2002

Dont get me wrong, if your car is crashed to hell then don't try to fix it yourself. But if all it has is a few dings, then it actually is pretty easy. I'm no pro-body shop guy or anything, but when I get my bodykit installed I plan on molding the skirts and rear in with Bondo-glass myself.

Trying to save some money on my body work.

N.OSaints

stevo

2badrotties

Blue97GST

2badrotties

Blue97GST

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