Body Prep
Most cars need restoration at some level. this is based on condition. some cars need completely stripped inside and out, plastic filler removed, rust repaired.
Other cars need only repaint. While others may need touch up and buffed. The same level of quality is used in any case.
Metal work is done by cutting out the rusted area, or replacing the body panel. Being cost effective is the key factor. On repairing or putting a patch panel in a body. I use TIG welding since mig leaves the weld quite brittle and is prone to cracking over time. I also do the old method of hammer welding as is done in high end of restoration. This ensures no metal stress, and panel is heat set as it was when stamped at factory.
The filler work I do on the body is then completed by leading the repaired area. Plastic fillers tend to shrink over time and mostly used in auto body repair shops. In restoration lead has been the standard on high end vehicles. The factory used lead to finish seams on the body and any repairs at the factory.
Then the best quality primers are used and sanded to perfection. The quality of the finish begins with quality of primers used in the first stages. You would not build your house on gavel, and the primers are the foundation for paint.
The beginning of paint process is doing exactly as factory did. The dip line process is used. These cars were dipped to 22" in rust resistant primer.
Upon laying down the paint. I use a factory type pressure pot system used by Auto manufacture since the started building cars. This ensures a true factory finish and I also use the same paint they used as per their shop manuals.
Other cars need only repaint. While others may need touch up and buffed. The same level of quality is used in any case.
Metal work is done by cutting out the rusted area, or replacing the body panel. Being cost effective is the key factor. On repairing or putting a patch panel in a body. I use TIG welding since mig leaves the weld quite brittle and is prone to cracking over time. I also do the old method of hammer welding as is done in high end of restoration. This ensures no metal stress, and panel is heat set as it was when stamped at factory.
The filler work I do on the body is then completed by leading the repaired area. Plastic fillers tend to shrink over time and mostly used in auto body repair shops. In restoration lead has been the standard on high end vehicles. The factory used lead to finish seams on the body and any repairs at the factory.
Then the best quality primers are used and sanded to perfection. The quality of the finish begins with quality of primers used in the first stages. You would not build your house on gavel, and the primers are the foundation for paint.
The beginning of paint process is doing exactly as factory did. The dip line process is used. These cars were dipped to 22" in rust resistant primer.
Upon laying down the paint. I use a factory type pressure pot system used by Auto manufacture since the started building cars. This ensures a true factory finish and I also use the same paint they used as per their shop manuals.
