Body and exterior tips
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
*Try using an ultrasonic cleaner (about $30, used for cleaning jewelry) for cleaning an HVLP gun. Lacquer thinner or glass cleaner have been recommended as potential solvents for use in an ultrasonic cleaner. | *Try using an ultrasonic cleaner (about $30, used for cleaning jewelry) for cleaning an HVLP gun. Lacquer thinner or glass cleaner have been recommended as potential solvents for use in an ultrasonic cleaner. | ||
| − | ==Sanding -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Sanding -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*For a smaller sanding block, place a sanding block in a vice and cut it with a hacksaw. | *For a smaller sanding block, place a sanding block in a vice and cut it with a hacksaw. | ||
*To true a sanding block, put a piece of 180 grit sandpaper on a flat surface (plate steel, aluminum, etc.). Rub the surface of the block over the sandpaper. The flatness of the plate will true up the surface of the block. | *To true a sanding block, put a piece of 180 grit sandpaper on a flat surface (plate steel, aluminum, etc.). Rub the surface of the block over the sandpaper. The flatness of the plate will true up the surface of the block. | ||
| Line 63: | Line 63: | ||
*When calculating sandpaper costs, bear in mind that used sandpaper takes longer to use. To save on labor costs, it may be beneficial to discard sandpaper before it is completely used. | *When calculating sandpaper costs, bear in mind that used sandpaper takes longer to use. To save on labor costs, it may be beneficial to discard sandpaper before it is completely used. | ||
| − | ==Taping and masking -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Taping and masking -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*When painting up to a rubber gasket (like a windshield), place a length of rubber vacuum line, plastic tubing, clothesline, or weed trimming string under the gasket. When the paint is dry, pull the line out. It will look like the gasket was removed for painting. Even if it shrinks over time, it won't expose old color. If the gasket won't lay back down, use a heat gun (after the paint has fully cured). Similarly, 3M makes a product called "trim masking tape" for this purpose. | *When painting up to a rubber gasket (like a windshield), place a length of rubber vacuum line, plastic tubing, clothesline, or weed trimming string under the gasket. When the paint is dry, pull the line out. It will look like the gasket was removed for painting. Even if it shrinks over time, it won't expose old color. If the gasket won't lay back down, use a heat gun (after the paint has fully cured). Similarly, 3M makes a product called "trim masking tape" for this purpose. | ||
*Before applying clearcoat, re-mask windows and other body parts with fresh paper (taping over the existing paper is fine). This will prevent dust from previous coats from contaminating the clearcoat. | *Before applying clearcoat, re-mask windows and other body parts with fresh paper (taping over the existing paper is fine). This will prevent dust from previous coats from contaminating the clearcoat. | ||
| Line 76: | Line 76: | ||
*To prevent tape marks when taping on fresh paint, try applying the tape to your pants first. It won't stick as much with a thin layer of lint. | *To prevent tape marks when taping on fresh paint, try applying the tape to your pants first. It won't stick as much with a thin layer of lint. | ||
| − | ==Body filler -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Body filler -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*For body lines and peaks on hoods or doors, use a contour gauge to make a custom plastic filler spreader: | *For body lines and peaks on hoods or doors, use a contour gauge to make a custom plastic filler spreader: | ||
#Place the contour gauge on an undamaged area to get the contour. | #Place the contour gauge on an undamaged area to get the contour. | ||
| Line 90: | Line 90: | ||
#When the filler hardens, it can be removed and used as a mold. | #When the filler hardens, it can be removed and used as a mold. | ||
| − | ==Cleanliness -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Cleanliness -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*Use only lint-free towels for cleanup. | *Use only lint-free towels for cleanup. | ||
*Use clean cotton gloves for handling clean panels. Keep them stored clean, and wash when necessary. | *Use clean cotton gloves for handling clean panels. Keep them stored clean, and wash when necessary. | ||
| Line 100: | Line 100: | ||
*To clean panels between compound, polish, glaze, etc., use a 50/50 mixture of water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Panels can also be cleaned with wax and grease remover. | *To clean panels between compound, polish, glaze, etc., use a 50/50 mixture of water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Panels can also be cleaned with wax and grease remover. | ||
| − | ==Assembly and disassembly -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Assembly and disassembly -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*Use proper techniques for removing old or rusted bolts. See [[Removing rusted and broken fasteners]]. | *Use proper techniques for removing old or rusted bolts. See [[Removing rusted and broken fasteners]]. | ||
*To protect painted bolts, place a sandwich bag over the bolt head before pushing on the socket. | *To protect painted bolts, place a sandwich bag over the bolt head before pushing on the socket. | ||
| Line 118: | Line 118: | ||
*For drilling out hard-to-reach spot welds, certain drill attachments (like paint stirring tools) may be able to be modified to work as extensions. | *For drilling out hard-to-reach spot welds, certain drill attachments (like paint stirring tools) may be able to be modified to work as extensions. | ||
| − | ==Miscellaneous -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips | + | ==Miscellaneous -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add tips == |
*To paint rims without scratching them: | *To paint rims without scratching them: | ||
#Mount the wheels first, but don't fill them up with air. | #Mount the wheels first, but don't fill them up with air. | ||
| Line 149: | Line 149: | ||
*To make a custom body grommet, use a section of vacuum hose that's been split down the middle with a razor or similar tool. A photo of this can be seen here: [http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/17678/size/big/cat/500/page/ Hotrodders Photo Gallery]. | *To make a custom body grommet, use a section of vacuum hose that's been split down the middle with a razor or similar tool. A photo of this can be seen here: [http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/17678/size/big/cat/500/page/ Hotrodders Photo Gallery]. | ||
| − | ==Questionable or disputed tips -- click the [edit] link on the right to | + | ==Questionable or disputed tips -- click the [edit] link on the right to add or comment on tips= |
These are tips that have been posted, either in this article or around the web, that may be questionable or otherwise disputed: | These are tips that have been posted, either in this article or around the web, that may be questionable or otherwise disputed: | ||
*Modify a regular caulk gun to make a dual-cartridge caulk gun. More information and photos on this can be found in this [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-20-a-71736.html Hotrodders Bulletin Board discussion]. This tip was cautioned against because of potential problems with the mix ratio, and because dual-cartridge guns are not particularly expensive. | *Modify a regular caulk gun to make a dual-cartridge caulk gun. More information and photos on this can be found in this [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-20-a-71736.html Hotrodders Bulletin Board discussion]. This tip was cautioned against because of potential problems with the mix ratio, and because dual-cartridge guns are not particularly expensive. | ||
*When applying body filler upside down, mix glue in with it to prevent it from falling. This tip was cautioned against due to concerns about altering the chemical composition of body filler. Instead, using a thicker brand of filler is recommended. | *When applying body filler upside down, mix glue in with it to prevent it from falling. This tip was cautioned against due to concerns about altering the chemical composition of body filler. Instead, using a thicker brand of filler is recommended. | ||
| − | ==History== | + | ==History -- click the [edit] link on the right to edit or add history info== |
This wiki article was written to compile the various "Tips of the Day" posted in the [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior Body-Exterior forum] on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board. | This wiki article was written to compile the various "Tips of the Day" posted in the [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior Body-Exterior forum] on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board. | ||
| Line 165: | Line 165: | ||
Additionally, Carl Brunson's article: [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Body Working Tips], from [http://www.roddingroundtable.com RoddingRoundtable.com], was also used as a reference for additional tips. | Additionally, Carl Brunson's article: [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Body Working Tips], from [http://www.roddingroundtable.com RoddingRoundtable.com], was also used as a reference for additional tips. | ||
| − | ==References -- click the [edit] link on the right to add references | + | ==References -- click the [edit] link on the right to add references == |
*http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior-tips-day-76946.html | *http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior-tips-day-76946.html | ||
*http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-8-a-70233.html | *http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-8-a-70233.html | ||
Your Privacy Choices