prep work (for primer) question

[86chevyk20]

Hey guys.
Iv only been doin body work for a few years and im havin a bit of trouble making sure my sanding is good enough that i can shoot my epoxy primer.

Im starting with my bed and i took a DA and sanded it all down to be smooth. Im doin good i think and getting it smooth and sanding down high edges. but... i dont have the touch of a pro and im scared that im going to spray my primer and it will look like crap and ivv have to sand it over again.

I need some serous tips on preping my panels the right way.

on the pass side of bed needed a couple spots filled. everyother panel i have on my truck has no dents or dings. So do i just need to sand them down and spray?? or what.


I really want to do this right the first time.

Thanks

 

[bucket]

Well, if your DA skills are questionable you will get better results by blocking it down instead.

Here's what I generally do if there's little to no body damage. DA it down with 80 grit to knock it down fairly quick, then go back over it with 180 grit on the DA. Then I go over it again with 180 on the long board, then prime. Then the primer gets blocked with 400 before paint.

 

[Old77]

On the panels that don't have any dents or dings you can just do a 'scuff and shoot'.

One technique you can use on the panel you're sanding on before you shoot you epoxy primer is as you're sanding spray on a skim coat of primer (this can just be rattle can) and then sand over that as you long block the panel. This will show you where your low and high spots are. The coat should be really light.

 

[86chevyk20]

thank you very much. i have been useing more of a block and just the paper more than the DA.


anyother tips or pics or sites people may have to help would be great...or do i just have to learn the way i learn everything eles with cars..do it my self and see what happens
?

 

[Old77]

Well, if your DA skills are questionable you will get better results by blocking it down instead.

Here's what I generally do if there's little to no body damage. DA it down with 80 grit to knock it down fairly quick, then go back over it with 180 grit on the DA. Then I go over it again with 180 on the long board, then prime. Then the primer gets blocked with 400 before paint.

^^this too

 

[Old77]

thank you very much. i have been useing more of a block and just the paper more than the DA.


anyother tips or pics or sites people may have to help would be great...or do i just have to learn the way i learn everything eles with cars..do it my self and see what happens
?

The best way is trial and error on your own and post up questions as you go. You can't screw it up too much

 

[critter2655]

just another tip, never finish sand your body work wih 80 grit and just prime it, always finish it out with 180 or 220, the reason, is that once you prime it the 80 grit scratches will get filled but once you base and clear it, the primer and everything on top will cure out and it will shrink back on you resulting in 80 grit sanding scratches, this will usually take a few weeks after it was painted to completely cure out, then you have to go and wet sand and buff the entire panel. trust me on this one it will happen and fixing it sucks, i did it to an entire bedside and it was black so every bit of it showed.

 

[Irishman999]

Looking at my truck its clear I am not an expert but just wanted to add something about your straight panels.

I thought my truck was straight too, there is always one ugly dent you miss and it will drive you nuts after you primer it.

The guide coat Old77 mentioned will find all those little dents you might look over.

 

[Swims350]

epoxy primer is thick as far as I know so it'll hide some imperctions like high build primer.