Numerous Questions

[shank0668]

I am new here, so here I go...

I am restoring a 79 Trans Am. Aside from floors and trunk, I have a decently solid body.

This spring I would like to get it stripped down and in primer. Now my questions begin.

1. I bough a set of fenders, they are bare metal and have some light surface rust. I emailed SPI and they said I could epoxy over it, but I would much rather remove all of the rust. I want to know what do use so I don't have to worry about it coming through the paint/primer.

2. Is it advised to do bondo work over the epoxy, or bare metal? If I do it over epoxy, would it be a problem if I did the bondo like months down the road from when I spray it? I would just like to at least remove my rust and seal it. Then I can do the finish work later.

3. When I do the body work, do I keep bondo'ing on one layer and use a guide coat to get it as good as possible? What happens if I need to bondo on my 2k primer layer?

4. On spots like these, just try and pound them out, remove rust, and smooth with bondo?

5. Finally, should I paint over 2k, or should I spray a coat of epoxy over that too?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[NoobDude]

Welcome to the site and rest assured these guys know their stuff.
Don't neglect the search function though cause I often surf the old posts for these kinds of questions and learn more than I was asking.

 

[strum456]

The rust on the fenders looks minor. All bare metal should have 80 grit DA scratches prior to epoxy anyway. I'd DA them and see if that does the trick.

Filler over epoxy is best. If your parts sit for a while in epoxy, just scuff them and spray one more coat of epoxy before you start your filler work.

It is best to avoid putting more than small amounts of glazing putty over 2k primer. Block your filler, spray epoxy on rub-throughs, reapply filler and repeat until everything is smooth. Don't rush to 2k.

Those damaged areas on the car will need some hammer and dolly work for sure. The rust may require some spot blasting by the looks of it.

 

[shank0668]

Do I need to worry about warping the underside, cowl, and radiator core support? I have someone that will sand blast it if it won't hurt it.
I will try 80 grit, though I don't have a DA. I do have an electric random orbit. I guess I could go buy one.
Thanks for the info strum!

 

[strum456]

You could try a random orbit sander. DAs are a lot more aggressive though. Harbor freight has them for 30 or less. I always use my harbor freight one for stuff like this.

Sand blasting can warp panels for sure if not done correctly. With proper technique and pressure it would work well especially for pitted or hard to access areas.

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

Is that a t-top car? is the roof bent up around the t-top openings? Buckles?

 

[shank0668]

Is that a t-top car? is the roof bent up around the t-top openings? Buckles?

How do you know about a dent in the roof.... Yes there is one dent on the roof.

 

[shank0668]

You could try a random orbit sander. DAs are a lot more aggressive though. Harbor freight has them for 30 or less. I always use my harbor freight one for stuff like this.

Sand blasting can warp panels for sure if not done correctly. With proper technique and pressure it would work well especially for pitted or hard to access areas.

Yes, I was hoping the underside would be a little less critical.. but I will have to see if this guy is capable. He said $40/hr.
Here is the dent on the roof Bob..