Basic guide to Bodywork, block sanding, priming, and primers in the restoration world! 

If you search the entirety of youtube you won't find a video like this, he makes it look easy no doubt, but the reality is nobody is putting in 1 hour of 101 basics on classic cars, they cut so much from it, and never get down to the nitty gritty. I appreciate this channel and also shoutout to D.I.Y auto body, i don't care if the guy yells, he gets the job done, and so does Carthage Classic Cars.

another great video!i appreciate the detail in all of your stuff. keep up the great content.

SPI makes a great epoxy primer for bare metal. Not sure how it lays down over filler. I haven't gotten that far yet.

Poor guy inhaling all this dust just to teach us humble RU-vidrs! Very well made video, appreciate the knowledge.

This is by far the best video concerning the basics of filler over epoxy. None of the other videos I have seen on you tube tell you what to do when you expose bare metal when doing filler work. They all just say "don't expose the metal" or "stop before you get to metal." Then they tell you you must re-epoxy the bare metal before putting any more filler on. Well, we are DIY people and some of us are not perfect and we will end up with exposed metal. Your method is so sensible and manageable. You expose some bare metal and you deal with it in a logical manner. I will paint my car using your videos as my bible.

some one who does bodywork the right way . 1 in a thousand great job

That's why I always use nitrile gloves and use alcohol on bare metal to remove moisture. Never put bondo over ANY paint. Be doing body work for 40 years. And yes always have good air filtration.

the liner blocks you have are clear... mine are blue... and there not so true and flat.. not a fan... but maybe the older ones were good? 🤔

It should really be put on epoxy primer however never seen filler fail when applied directly to metal which the collision repair industry mostly does.

I notice that you wear gloves for filler . Why are you not wearing them when you are cleaning your spreaders. Thinner isn't the best thing to be inducing into your body.Also if you clean your plastic or steel spreaders with red scotch Brite and alittle thinners when the filler is still green is a easy way to extend the life of them..

This video really confused me a lot. He said not to apply anything on bare metal and I'm looking at him applying dolphin glaze.

Hey Rick... great video. The world needs craftsman like you!

I ran out of epoxy, what can I safely use to prevent flash rust over my body work on the lead seams?

The people that are hear don’t care that the video is long but it being to short is the issue. Show the work that’s why we are here‼️

the attention to detail was amazing for someone with no knowledge about sanding cars/paint work

kami biasa menggunakan bagian belakang gergaji kayu untuk panel lurus seperti itu

Very thorough process and explanation as to the hows and whys of bodywork. First class attention to detail!

The top part of door, I would have run my blade from left to right in two even passes. First one with light pressure. Second pass a little tighter. Run 1 1/2" tape at the top and bottom for clean edges.

finally someone to show this, other than bondo billy who just calls all his viewers trolls and name calls.... I wish i had the tools and equipment you have, but im going to have to rattlecan my 76 Jeep J10.. i had cut huge sections of the bedsides out and weld new clean metal.. I did my best, and now i just put a couple layers of bondo on, unfortnatly, where i welded the panels which spanned 8 feet, there is a hump where the welding was.. my welding was perfect.. no pin holes after i ground em down.. but it did cause a high spot between the two peices.. i cant hammeer out.. if i try to hammer that out it warps the metal all over.... so i have to use a decent amount of filler about 1/8th to 3/16 thick in some spots to make it all even out.. I just hope i can sand it all down properly or as good as i can.. As for paint i have to use rattle cans.. so im trying to find self etching primer cans from rustolium but i cant find em locally at any store, so i gatta use other primers from rustolium. bare metal primer or filler primer is all i can find. I think that will work though as im sanding the entire jeep mostly anyway to bare metal... And the paint im going to use is the metalic kobalt blue from rustolium, and the white gloss enamel from rustolium (its a two tone colored Jeep blue top white bottom) i like the new fan spray nozzles on those cans, i wish the kobalt had those nozzles versus the typical circular spray pattern those cans have... Then i will use rustoliums Universal Advanced clear coat, with the fan spray.. I used this white and clear coat on my brush guard, header panel, and roll bar. and it turned out really nice and shiney... so i think this will work in the end. For the tools, and money i have.. Dont think itll be a $10,000 paint job. or body work, and the Jeep will never be show car due to the amount of rust i had to repair on it... but all the rust is nearly gone now its taken me nearly 1 1/2 years to cut it all out and rebuild..

Thank you for the lesson, just paid a guy 500.00 to make the side of my van look worse. He took advantage of my 69 year old dumb self, telling me not to touch it till the primer dried. When I felt it I knew right away, of course he is not answering my calls.

Love your work exactly how I do it but I use clean rags and gp thinners to clean my applicators up and I weigh my filler with the Hardner to exactly 2% I use the same filler main reason y I don’t put body filler on bare metal is because of the ingredients in the Hardner used in body filler actually reacts with the steel and causes rust in time under the filler

Good morning Are you located in LA area I have 64 Shelby Daytona need body work

Me gustó de Puerto Rico

Hey Rick, what are your thoughts on OER after market panels??

Stumbled on the channel. I use pretty much the exact same process now. Just a different epoxy. If I had seen this video 10yrs ago it would have saved me a ton of heartache. Great info in here. Thanks for uplpad

Hey so what do you do about the inside of a door jamb? I had to make a metal patch panel right by my door striker. It it okay to use filler in those areas that will see more aggressive use

the best way to explain why it is key to apply filler over epoxy and not bare metal... so many people still apply filler over bare metal... that is proven to be the wrong way... also that is the best filler for high end paint work ... far superior to 3m platinum plus filler.... had to repaint 2 cars due to corrsion from bare metal break threws and 3m filller.... I will never ... ever use 3m filler agian... again all these people say you can apply filler over bare metal...not a good idea

Where did you buy that sophisticated thing to lift the body up? I need one of thoses and what do you call that 😂 i mean the proper name for it.

Get yourself a dust collector or at least a large fan. You know that shit will fuck you up man.

Try wax and grease remover to clean your plastic spreads off when it's tacky, it works amazing!

what size filter are you using for that stuff ive never been able to strain rage

Did you say in the video to eat fried chicken before doing body work if so why ? Is there something in the fried chicken that can speed up the process ?

Really enjoyed this one! Keep more of these coming. Great change from metal work. Thanks for the details.

Would it make sense to seal the whole thing with epoxy primer before building up and sanding?

I second that, I have searched for years to see someone do this from start to finish, thanks great video, keep them coming!

New subscriber after seeing the quality of this body filler technique. Video quality is great too! Really well done!

You're an amazing teacher, I know you said PPE is important, that being said, voice over is an option so that you don't have to take chances with your health. Thanks for the education and inspiration.

If I wasn't a DIYr and I had copious amounts of disposable income this is the guy I'd be hiring to do all my work. He knows the craft, he follows directions he doesn't make his own rules and if he does they exceed and go above and beyond than what the process calls for. This guy gives you your money's worth. I hope he is as good of a businessman as he is an autobody tech and instructor.

I switched over to USC pro gold because of the expense of rage

Man. I love a good teacher. Broke this all the way down. I just might have the confidence to do this on my own. Thank you!

Yes he knows what he's doing but I hate Sanding hard lines out of primer edges paint edges and definitely don't like hard mud line also I understand the tape pulling up something but if it does then you should be happy that it happened early instead of after paint then your fucked really didn't have to mention it because you seam to do quality work and if you sanded and prepped it then it won't pull anything up

Are you adding acid tone or is it already in it

I’m fitna start my 84 c10 short bed and I’m looking forward rewatching your guide videos ❤

What epoxy primer do you use?

Saved

Great information and presented well. Inspiring me to do my own bodywork as opposed to paying a ton of money for someone else to. Not taking away anything from those who do it for a living or as side work to make some $$$, there's a lot of labor involved and that's why it's not cheap. Can't wait for the follow-up video Rick. Thanks!

I like your hands!

I have a stainless steel pot that a gallon slid in . I drill holes in the gallon fill the gallon with lacquered tinner . When I work with filler I just drop it in . Then I clean them 5 minutes later or 10 it’s cleaner faster and I buy multiple spreaders . I move slow but I’m actually moving fast

Awesome vid👍Packed with jewels of info. Always like to see different points of views on how to do things. It's always the small details that make or break a job

What a fantastic video I feel like you catered it to me personally hah! Well done this is a fantastic video!

Had this guy painted my car I wouldn’t be dealing with a crack in the paint.. so much for paying “top notch” painters to do a “show” job… Rick, you care, make sure your charging what it costs man! This isn’t normal body guy stuff. You are a serious body guy.

Thanks Man. My first video into learning these processes. The way you delivered the teachings, methods and lessons makes me believe if I pay close attention and study your methods some more.. I quite possibly can paint my own Buick T-Type that is a Grand National Hybrid now (original 1 stage Enamel paint) a sled my Pops passed on to me.

Hey sir where did u buy all those sanding blocks I’m struggling to find those. Also another question I would love to learn from you if I can come help out around the shop or if there are any shops u know I can work in until I learn more. Thank you

Long & some curved strong block sandings by hand no air tools with guide coat powder go & do it 3 to 5 times before painting. This will make you a five star pro.if body work is perfect. Just sand the primer reprime many times no putty. I worked for mercedes owner hates putty. Got tons of reasons. If i can do it you can too.

Greetings from The Left Coast😊. You did an excellent video. Thank you for sharing it with the world. !!REVOLUTION!!

As I look for a project car I pretend I found one and start pricing materials and panels and I still don’t have a shop or the tools! I realize it’s cheaper to buy one done 😂

Thought it was called onion board cause the paper was made of onion.Know I know it called that cause you peel the paper like an onion.😊😊😊 My bad.

Man talk about telling somebody how to do it the right way this guy is the best what a job

I always watch your videos and love everyone you do! I’m not even doing any kind of bodywork. Funny thing is as I got older I’m 53 now and I really want to restore a car in my lifetime. Just don’t have a space for it or a car to restore.

Your process make more sense to me.. watched some other vids that preached filler on metal vs filler on epoxy. Like the idea of encapsulating the filler between epoxy coats. Nice job!

excellent tutorial!

Painter at my body shop insurance work only just purchasing a 72 Camaro great refresher on a complete ..my crew made me bring it home lol...

Just found your channel. Liked and shared also subscribed. Thank you for all the great how to do it right. All my best.

Followed this exact process on my caddy - worked out perfect - thanks !

I've been chipping away at my 92 Dodge D350 for weeks now and this video answered every question or 2nd guessing I had. Great vid. Keep the content coming.

Nice work

Awesome job!! Thank you for all your knowledge your giving away!!! I still have lots of metal work on my Nova but by watching your videos I am gaining some confidence to do my own body work!! Thanks brother

What is the point of putting filler on every square inch of the car? Does it really make it that straight?

Great stuff...your a great teacher..I wish I had your talents...best explained video out there.

Enjoyed this video. Some good fine points about blocking and great explanation of choosing the right blocking tool and putty. I use U-pol professional body filler. It’s $37 a gallon. There’s no separation in the container of resin and filler, so no need to stir it up if it’s been on the shelf. Also I don’t see that there’s an issue with air bubbles. Never could justify expense of the Rage Ultra and Gold putty. The basic Evergreen putty is garbage compared to the U-pol putty and way more expensive. Also used U-pol glazing putty. Their high build primer worked nice for me, leveling off nicely on its own. Sorry to sound like U-pol commercial. Thx for sharing your tips!

Thank you for this!! Im not doing a show car but you showing it in detail really helps and i know i dont need to go super crazy with it but i know the process now.

great video on bodywork. i'll assume this car was taken down to bare metal. when you do final paint will the car panels like fenders, door, hood be painted separately.

Bro I stg this is the only auto body video that goes over ALL the details and was actually helpful for what I'm doing, great video for us new guys ❤️❤️

Nice job! It is definitely more than a full time job,labor of love. One doesn’t understand why a job of that caliber costs several thousands.

Is this part one??

Great video Rick, very good detail,I like the part about mixing the body filler.Keep up the great work....

Very enjoyable. Watching from Australia.

I appreciate the information. I am going attempt to do the bodywork on my truck.

Just watched part one. I am very pleased that you give out great information but you don’t come across as a know it all and your way is the only way to do this body work. Many do and what’s wrong with that is they are generally wrong when they say they know what they are talking about. So the world hears about how to do things the wrong way based on someone regurgitating their bad habits and bad information. And at the same time qdeclaring themselves a genius to boot. Keep up the good work and continue down the path to helping others. We need more people like you. :) a breath of fresh air.

YES! Epoxy 1st, then filler. You are doing great work!

Rick, this video is a goldmine. Thank you so much for your time and the knowledge you've shared here!!! Subscribed!!!

Simply incredible work & teacher. Thank you very much for your vid's!

You answered sooo many questions. Thank You!!! I got this...

Great instructional video for the newbies!!!

Great video from someone who clearly knows what he is doing. Not the most glamorous part of the paint process but separates quality paint work from cave and pavers that last until the check clears the bank.

Awesome video ty for showing the correct way on doing body repair. 👍

One of the best videos on youtube for this stuff. Thanks 👍

Rick, as I am a total nube at body work and about to begin that process on my media blasted and epoxied 69 Mustang, I've watched this video (and others) several times now. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but whenever I see bare metal after block sanding, I think high spot. There is a lot of bare metal on the Cuda prior to your second spraying of epoxy. How do you know when to knock it down or ignore it and continue on with the epoxy and polyester priming process? Also, I've read mixed reviews on the Polyester primers. Do you use polyester primers on all your projects? Why the polyester over a good high build primer? Thanks, so much!

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Great video! Thanks for all the tips, this is the best video on this on RU-vid!

You're amazing for sharing your craft. Thank you, sir.

Thanks for another great video. I enjoyed watching the process and the use of different products. Back in the day it was bondo over steel and 131 fill and sand primer lacquer base. We've come a long way. Also I was on live stream with ( A may sing metal works) At the installation center. And they mention the quality of work you're doing and to subscribe to your channel. I agree, I've been subscribed to your channel for months. Keep the videos coming thanks.👍👍

Great video I’ve always wanted a good explanation step by step

Muinto bom trabalho parabens! (very good service, congratulations).

Im curious as to how much that body work job cost. I am almost certain that i cant afford it. I would gladly hitch my camaro up and drive it down.I know that car looked awesome once it was done.

Dang look at all the mud

What epoxy primer do you prefer using ? Great video !

That man know what he is doing. A real professional. 👏👏

The amazing thing about automotive products is they are expensive. I went to get my first quart of paint and 1 quart of chroma color was $250. Nason was only $50.

Top watch very good information.