Get Used Parts Community / Automotive Repair / Auto Body Repair

Bondo

sdunafin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:07:29 GMT

So im not sure on how to bondo some rusted spots on my newly aquired 77 ford f150 custom.. im looking to restore it, but this will be my first experience using bondo and i really need some explination..

orange peel!!!

chevymalibu89 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:54:10 GMT

I've had just painted my chevy malibu and it is all orange peely, what can I do to avoid the next time it happens and how can I polish it out, what is the best polisher to get rid of it.

Planning customizations on my car

ElementalSu — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:42:25 GMT

Yeah, for a while now I've been thinking of doing some heavy modifications to my car. I've got a 1990 Toyota Tercel. It just doesn't have alot of space in it, so I'm thinking of adding storage compartments in different places, like in the door panels and under the back seat. I'm even thinking of having a freezer type thing under the back seat but I'll have to see how feasible that really is.

Anyway, right now I'm wondering just how much space is really in my door panels. I know the glass of the door window has to slide through there when I roll my window down but I don't know how much room that will require - and I don't want to go cutting my car up just to find out. Does anyone know where I can find some detailed design drawings of a car like mine? Or would anyone actually know what it would require?

Also, although I haven't come up with any idea of how this will look after getting done, but if I did all this myself, would anyone have an idea of how much this would cost? I'm just looking for information before I consider digging into a project like this. Thanks in advance.

Need help matching color on lower valence of rear bumper

salstrucks — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:58:57 GMT

I want to color match the lower valence on my rear bumper. It is made of textured ABS plastic. What grit sandpaper should I start with to smooth it out, and what steps should I take before paint? I'm not sure what to do. Thanks!

Advice buffing

louiedee — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:53:42 GMT

This is how I buff. Is this the best way. I use a variable speed buffer and I start with medium grit, then to fine and then to glaze. Is there any step I should do in between. I use 3M products. I use a Nikota buffer with an egg crate type round pad. Any tips or tricks I should try?

Should I repair or replace a body panel?

bikenut — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:37:49 GMT

This is a really basic question, and I definitely don't trust the insurance guy who appraised the damage to my car!

Basically, there was a big wind storm the other day and a tree branch fell and hit my car, smashing a window and denting the body panel behind the driver's seat. The dent is about 10 inches long, and the body panel now bulges out a little. The insurance company appraised it and said that they would replace the body panel with a new one instead of repairing it. The new panel will be bolted on (the insurance guy said) instead of welded like the original. This sounds bad to me - does the insurance company not want to do the denting/ painting repair work because it costs more? And it sounds to me like a bolted on body panel will weaken my car...

I would be really grateful for any advice from you knowledgeable folks out there! :D

I don't have a digital camera so I can't post any pics - but I can tell you it's a Ford Focus ZX3. That's a 2 door hatchback, and the panel in question is on the driver's side next to the back seat .. so if someone were sitting behind the driver, this is the body panel which would be their door (if I hadn't been so cheap as to buy a 2-door and they actually had a door!).

The dent itself is about 10 inches long, not too deep. I've done worse and had it beaten out and painted over I like the thought having a welded panel because it would just be stronger. I'd guess that it would weaken the car to take a whole panel out (meaning that they cut through the welds attaching it??!!) and bolt on something else. Right now, I think I should try and get them to just fix the dent and leave the original panel on. It doesn't make sense to me that an insurance agent who isn't going to do the work should make the decision. I use the Focus as a spare car that my wife and I use on the weekends, but I want to get this fixed soon.

quarter panel repair

jason — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:06:03 GMT

Hi I have a 1993 Toyota Celica that was hit in the rear quarter panel right above the wheel. The dent was pulled out and now it's started to rust where the paint is chipped off. I know rust is not a good thing for a car so I want to do something about before it gets real bad. Thanks