Body and exterior tips
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| − | == Paint and spray guns | + | == Paint and spray guns== |
===Handling and storing paints, finishes, and related products=== | ===Handling and storing paints, finishes, and related products=== | ||
*When opening a can of paint, punch a few holes in the trough where the lid sits. That way, excess paint will drain out of the trough and into the can, rather than splattering when placing the lid back on the can. | *When opening a can of paint, punch a few holes in the trough where the lid sits. That way, excess paint will drain out of the trough and into the can, rather than splattering when placing the lid back on the can. | ||
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*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 | + | ==Sanding== |
*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 make a sanding block for a specific use such as when a smaller size is needed to access a confined area cut a piece of half inch thick plywood to the correct size. Glue or screw a makeshift handle made from a small block of wood to the top of it. Cut your sandpaper large enough to wrap it around the block and then staple it to the block. You can do this with various sizes of dowel for areas that need a curved surface. | *To make a sanding block for a specific use such as when a smaller size is needed to access a confined area cut a piece of half inch thick plywood to the correct size. Glue or screw a makeshift handle made from a small block of wood to the top of it. Cut your sandpaper large enough to wrap it around the block and then staple it to the block. You can do this with various sizes of dowel for areas that need a curved surface. | ||
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*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 | + | ==Taping and masking== |
*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). 3M makes a product called "trim masking tape" that can also be used 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). 3M makes a product called "trim masking tape" that can also be used 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. | ||
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*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 | + | ==Body filler== |
*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. | ||
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#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 | + | ==Cleanliness== |
*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. | ||
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*Don't use sprayable products in the immediate area following a paint job, for at least 24 hours. Products in the air could contaminate your paint job. | *Don't use sprayable products in the immediate area following a paint job, for at least 24 hours. Products in the air could contaminate your paint job. | ||
| − | ==Assembly and disassembly | + | ==Assembly and disassembly== |
*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. | ||
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*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 | + | ==Miscellaneous== |
*To paint rims without scratching them: | *To paint rims without scratching them: | ||
#Mount the tire on the rim, but don't fill it up with air. | #Mount the tire on the rim, but don't fill it up with air. | ||
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*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 | + | ==Questionable or disputed tips== |
These are tips that have been posted, either in this article or around the web, that may be disputed or otherwise questionable. | These are tips that have been posted, either in this article or around the web, that may be disputed or otherwise questionable. | ||
*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 accuracy of 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 accuracy of 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 potential chemical effects from mixing glue in with 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 potential chemical effects from mixing glue in with body filler. Instead, using a thicker brand of filler is recommended.'' | ||
| − | ==History | + | ==History== |
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. | ||
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Additionally, [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Body Working Tips] by Carl Brunson, and [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Sanding] from ''Wikipedia'' were used as references and sources for body working tips. | Additionally, [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Body Working Tips] by Carl Brunson, and [http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/sanding2.html Sanding] from ''Wikipedia'' were used as references and sources for body working tips. | ||
| − | ==References | + | ==References== |
#[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior-tips-day-76946.html Body-exterior tips of the day], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', December 24, 2005. | #[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior-tips-day-76946.html Body-exterior tips of the day], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', December 24, 2005. | ||
#[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-68901.html Tip of the day #1], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', August 26, 2005. | #[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-68901.html Tip of the day #1], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', August 26, 2005. | ||
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