Body Filler Options

[GeorgeRud]

As I have no bodywork experience, I wonder if it's standard to completely cover the body with filler, then sand it down (as seen on many of the Velocity Channel restoration shows) before applying primer and color coats? Obviously this amount of hand crafting is not done during initial manufacturing, but is there an advantage to this? Seems a high build sealing primer would make this unnecessary.

[Andyrew]

The only thing that I have ever covered with filler and sanded down was a 914 rear trunk. It has such a minor curve to it and is so wide without support that trying to fix a wave with metal work is almost impossible.


For this I prefer a mix of plastic filler and glazing putty. I did this on my rear trunk and sanded the whole trunk down to 0-1/8" in the highest spots of filler because doing it this way was much quicker than spot filling.

I have seen many hot rod shops do it the way you mentioned, which I think is very lazy. If you ever see a car done in mexico they dont believe in using a hammer and dolly. Just a hammer to pound the dent in and cake filler in as thick as they can.


A high build primer with a big tip, >2.0 or better will work just as well and provide a better sealing affect.

The typical method of doing body repair is this,

Primer filler whole car
Guide coat
Sand down with 80grit to see low spots
Fix / fill low spots
Repeat steps till flat
Sand down to desired grit (Depends on type of paint/color)
Primer sealer
Paint
Clear (if used)