Request for bodywork tutorial

[Damn True]

Wondering if some of the experienced folks here could put together some instruction pieces on basic bodywork skills.

Some things that might be helpful for those that have never pounded out a dent and are looking to do some of their own prep work.

Examples:
Welding up a trim hole
Hammering out a dent in a body crease (ie a door ding)
Hammering out a dent in a flat surface
Shrinking/stretching
Filler/Glaze application and sanding

etc

Might be a handy thing to have as a sticky in this forum

[colt zantop]

Ive welded trim holes up. you usually start by sanding around the edge of the hole down to bare metal. then you clean the metal around it with a metal cleaner. then you begin welding starting on the edge of the hole (half on the metal, half off) like a 50/50 overlap and continue around the edge of the hole until its closed. kind of like a icecreamcone but not building up in the middle to high. small holes should only take 1or 2 passes and once it closed...leave the heat in the middle for a couple seconds and the build up will usually "drop" to be close to flush with the rest of the weld. dont hold it more than like 2 seconds or you will burn through.

[vanzuuk1]

Not a tutorial, but one tip is to do some bodywork and paint on a motorcyle tank or helmet, its a great small project to practice on.
There never seems to be shortage of dinged tanks and helmets, just dont reuse a helmet with bondo on it.

[bretcopsey]

This link you keep you busy for at least a little while:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74560

[mikey]

I'll see if I can find some time to divulge some of my black magic secrets. Until then I will answer when I get time only if I feel I can answer 100% correct. I spend my days doing collision work but most of it is newer stuff on occasion I do some muscle car repair at home.

[toxicz28]

Welding up a trim hole

if you have access to the back side of the hole, back it up with copper. The weld won't stick to it, and it pulls some of the heat from the base metal. (sort of)

Hammering out a dent in a body crease (ie a door ding)
Hammering out a dent in a flat surface
Shrinking/stretching

Pick up the book The Key to Metal Bumping it's over 50 years old, but the principles are the same. And the book explains alot about dent mechanics(?)
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1638
Also, get GOOD tools. They're expensive, but they're made much better, and you will get much better results

[HotRod68Camaro]

Would you say that the tool from Eastwood are good tools?

[toxicz28]

Would you say that the tool from Eastwood are good tools?

Some of them, yes. The body tools they sell, are by Martin tools, and are excellent in quality.