The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop First steps in prep?

Hi Guys,Gals...I want to start sanding on my truck. What is the first step,grit? Good Primer,and can you describe to me the wet sanding proceedure. Thanks MIke G...also..how do I know when to prime? (if I have Sanded good enough)

Some broad questions there, do a search here for "basics of basics" by Martin Snr or "Brian Martin". First thing I would say is wash it w/hot water & Dawn, scrub it real good. If yu have mutiple coats of paint, you prolly need to strip it down to metal using 80 grit.

You should use a grease and wax remover before you start sanding. If you don't, you will imbed it into the paint and metal.

I think the last time my truck was polished was 1955..most of the paint is gone and i have some redish primer showing thru..I think its still on the origanal paint. If I start with 80 grit...do I graduate to a finer sand paper..or do i skim a bondo coat over what I have sanded and then sand with fine? Or do I sand down to metal and then prime,and then skim a coat of bondo? Or should I just find that website you mentioned/ M.G

DA sand it with 80 grit to get to the bare metal. Then use 180 to take out all the 80 grit scratches. Start with one fender, get it sanded to metal then get two coats of Epoxy Primer on it before surface rust starts.

Then start the next item. Again as soon as you get it stripped, get some Epoxy Primer on it.

After you get everything stripped and epoxied, you can start with the body work. You can apply the "bondo" right on top of the epoxy primer.

Again work one panel at a time. One door, one fender, hood and etc. After you get a panel worked and you're satisfied with the look, spray a coat or two of Epoxy Primer/sealer on it. You don't have to sand the Epoxy Primer/sealer when you go to apply your base coat.

What kind of paint are you planning to use. Base Coat/Clear Coat (BC/CC) or Single Stage (SS).

Countilaw...Thanks, Now my base coat is the actual color..Correct...and then the clear will be top coat..Bare with me, all i am doing is getting expert advice since this is my first project...and i really appreciate the help.My origanal color is Juniper Green, with white bumpers ..ect...and that is what I am going to use for colors.Please send me more info, Thank you M/G

Mike,
Here is a link that breaks it down into steps. You will find that everyone has a different opinion.

http://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect%20paint.htm

Good luck.

The first step in prep is to prepare your mind for the hours of pain and suffering you are about to endure.Grab a comforatble chair,foot stool and mirror.Face the chair away from the truck,place foot stool infront of chair and set the mirror on a bench so you can see yourself and the truck at the same time,Ohhh I forgot the most important part,the medicine cabnet(fridge,cooler) full of some,well let's just say cold wet crisp clean refreshing beverage.Now sit back and relax in your chair with your beverage and ask yourself as you look at the truck in the mirror,why do I want to fix this old truck anyway,then you will look in the mirror and say because I love it! and love conquers all right.so tip your last brew back and do as the previous posts said (just make sure no one see's you talking in the mirror cause they will not under stand!

Ha Ha Ha..awsome bent..I read in one of these forums that someone said the first thing to do is get a tetnous shot (spelling)..But I did substitude beer for that...Also..thanks for the link Jo Michael, and everyone else that has got me started. Just think..about 2 years ago, I used to put my car in the shop to change the oil...This Yankee has come a long way...M/G