Panel/paint guys assist

[kurbn]

Doing some body work and going to purchase some tools to make life easier..

1. Sander - what is the best type to use for paint removal and getting a smooth finish through grades? Orbital?

2. I have seen a tool that puts these rivets in the panel and you use a slide hammer to get dings out, anyone know what they are called or where to get them?

Cheers

[magic1]

if your going to strip the whole car to BM then i would sand blast, if this is not an option due to cost i would use chemical strippers, sanding will take too long

[Chase_d]

I have picked up a few supplies from Automotive Paint Tools & Equipment. These guys have everything you could need.

Not sure where you are but there details are:
Automotive Paint Tools & Equipment
Place page
14 Gibbs Street
Cannington WA 6107
(08) 9356 1874

As far as im aware, they arent rivets on the panel just little tack welds which then get pulled with a slide hammer. Then you just grind the tacks smooth.

Would definitely suggest being an S13 (with plentiful parts) track down as many straight panels as you can, as trying to get bent panels straight for your first time can be a nightmare.

[kurbn]

I did think about sand blasting but the last couple of times I have seen this done panels have buckled, so not going to risk it. I think paint stripper might be the go for hard to get areas. It may just be easier to buy a new side panel as the damaged area is curved.

[DCEVO]

Chemical strippers are good yet very messy
I am currently sanding (prepping for paint) my 31
Using an orbital sander with 180 grit on the whole car to take away clear and any bad blemishes in the paint
Then use a good lightweight ultra fine 2kfiller (Bog) for your dents
Flat panels are easier with a duro block ( Flexible hard foam sanding block) The longer the sanding block the better ie around the 40 cm mark for flat panels is good
To sand back the filler (bog) use 80 grit then go to 120 for an easier removal of excess filler
Once you have that done spray 3 coats of primer Im using 2k (requires hardener)
Sand primer back with wet and dry making sure to keep the paper wet with 600 grit till smooth
Then your ready for painting
If you go Acrylic its a bit easier as you dont have to mix it with hardener
2pak on the other hand reqires a hardener to be mixed in so it will set hard
then once you have applied your basecoat ! wait about 25 minutes before applying your clearcoat

If you have anymore questions or need more info PM me and come round for a chat we live close enough to each other 10 mins if I remember from our last conversation

[kurbn]

thanks dude :)

im going to do the prep work, I just dont have a decent area to paint it without debris floating around, might hand it over to supreme to paint

[DCEVO]

Also check out Rims to Roof he hires a full spray booth with gear for $300.00
If you clean up properly afterwoulds he gives you back $100.00 which he deems as a deposit

[d4n13l]

u can buy paint stripping discs from bunnings / super shit auto that go on the angle grinder. i found this way by far easiest way to strip to bare metal

[mr_mike]

paint strip it, yes its messy but you will do the least damage to ur panels this way.
Sanding discs can heat the panel and warp it if ur not careful. Do one panel at a time with paint stripper and you'll have a win.
For best results get a razor blade or another sharp edge and lightly score the surface in a rough criss cross pattern, just deep enough to cut the paint but not score the metal this allows the stripper to get under the paint and lift it easier. Next brush a nice thick layer of paint striper over the panel making sure u get right to the edges then cover the panel is plastic, something thicker than glad wrap. This will trap the solvent in and help it burn into the paint.
Wait 15-20min depending on how hot it is before removing the plastic let it sit another 5min and u should c the paint start to curl and wrinkle up.
You can now scrape off the paint with a paint scraper.
wash panel down with water to remove the paint stripper them give it a light sand with some 180grit paper.
its now ready to spray with some etch primer, make sure u do this pretty qucikly as it wont take long for surface rust to start to form on a bare metal panel.

[kurbn]

So I went to bunnings tonight to purchase a orbital sander but didnt as I wasnt sure what would be an ideal power rating

Bosch orbital was 270W and a 125mm disc
Ryobi orbital was 750W and a 150mm disc

more power the better? or should I go for something more nimble

[mr_mike]

150mm disc, cos thats what size most velcro sand papers are.

Its not so much the power your lookin at its the size of the swirl, the disc obviously spins but the swirl size is how much it moves side to side as it spins.
For stripping you want a larger swirl pattern as this will strip paint quicker without generating to much heat. For sanding back primer for paint you want a finer swirl as its less course so gives you a finer finish.
Eg: My Bluepoint sander i use for pre-primer work has a 7mm swirl but my Dynabrade sander has a 3mm swirl for sanding primer and prepping panels for top coat.

[kurbn]

So perhaps get the bosch? the bosch is 1.5KG instead of 3kg from the Ryobi..

Might get a better finish with the smaller swirl if I start from scratch, just need to work the panel a bit more