Looking for auto body time saving tips.

[ezysk]

Not exactly sure where to post this because its not as general as a Pit question, and not technically an article, so I put it in appearance for auto body work is all about making it look good in the end.

I figure we don’t have a lot of them out here, but are there any auto body experts here on this site? I have restored several vehicles over time, and learned how to do body work from my cousin who has been doing it for a living for 18 years. So I have a pretty good idea on how to get the job done to make it look good, and I have restored several cars that looked really nice. I also know that different people do some things differently. What I am curious to know is if there are any ways to speed up the whole sanding process and still end up with a good job in the end.
While I know we have a whole peanut gallery of people that would say, oh just buy a new car that looks perfect to begin with, or send it away to have someone else do the work. I understand that it is how you roll, which is cool, but I am more of a hands on person. I actually enjoy the restoration process and enjoy doing the work myself, but I am always looking for ways to improve my process.

So, do we have any auto body experts out there that are willing to share some tips on how to speed up the sanding process?
Currently I was trained in the block, block, block, until your arm falls off method, and generally with pretty high grit paper, from what I have seen other shops use.
I also knew a guy 15 years ago that was the orbital sander God, he could blow through ruff sanding with an orbital sander with no waves at all.

I am curious about some of the methods you might use to save time.

Hope you are willing to share.

[MattODoom]

So, do we have any auto body experts out there that are willing to share some tips on how to speed up the sanding process?
Currently I was trained in the block, block, block, until your arm falls off method, and generally with pretty high grit paper, from what I have seen other shops use.
I also knew a guy 15 years ago that was the orbital sander God, he could blow through ruff sanding with an orbital sander with no waves at all.

I am curious about some of the methods you might use to save time.

Hope you are willing to share.

That's what we've always done. There really doesnt seem to be a way around it. Just use the longest block that will work for the panel and have at it. We seldom use the DA since... well it sucks. Overall... good bodywork=lots of sanding.

[ezysk]

good bodywork=lots of sanding.

[MattODoom]

Some people enjoy it... it is after all what can really make or break a car as its the first thing you see.

[1bad83ta]

I agree with matt. The sanding of the body is the most important step and there really isn't a way around it. You can buy electric files or sanding blocks to help with shaping though.

[96mikez28]

I agree with matt. The sanding of the body is the most important step and there really isn't a way around it. You can buy electric files or sanding blocks to help with shaping though.

yep, + 1

[meissen]

Amen. Sanding makes the car, before paint and after paint.. wet sanding included.

[Orange Terror]

I'm gonna go with yuck on this one too. I hate doing body work.

[tenpin842]

agreed! Ive sanded till my fingers bled before. And I'll do it again with my Trans Am. The final steps are always the ones that take the most time. But when you look back, you can enjoy.

When I paint my TA this Spring, you guys are all invited over for a wetsanding party! LOL!!

[ezysk]

While I agree with all that, I have noticed that some people kick out projects of equal quality, using the same number of people, but some just kick them out with less time spent. I am sure some of you had to have noticed this.
Perhaps they spend less time goofing off and more time working; perhaps they are a bit more organized, or have fewer mistakes along the way.
I guess I could have asked if anyone uses Air tools to cut down time in roughing things in.
I know how to do it so the car looks good, just wondering if there was any additional tip, but I guess it is a bit much to expect from an online chat. Auto body and painting has some science to it, but it also has a lot of Art. I guess it would be like asking, how could I paint a work of art faster.
Upon thinking about this I think this post was a pretty dumb question.
But, it was nice to start to see who actually does body work here.

[BlackZ]

Cough"take it to 21st century collision"Cough
J/k man
I have worked in a body shop for over 5years now. Full-time, while going to school full-time. I will tell you that all of my bosses stress that we should always be trying to better ourselves and find a more efficent way to accomplish things. The professional way to do "Body Work" (way too vague of a term,believe it or not) Is to use a combination of Air and manual powered tools. I am not just talking about air powered DA's. A very useful tool when roughing in a repair on a restoration is called a "hutchins hustler". it is a block that is air powered.
The best advice that i can give you on saving time is the Grits of the paper you are using. Depending on how much filler you will have to use.
If you have to sand down ALOT of material start with a 36,80, or 150 grit
prime
sand with 320
reprime
sand with 600-800
paint
and then the wetsanding, which is a whole nother story


Anyways, after doing this for a long time and seeing all of the F-ups from DIY I HIIGHLY discourage DIY bodywork.
For example, You cant just hand someone a paintbrush, tell them to paint mona lisa, and for it to come out looking right.
its the same with bodywork, it is art, its a skill that some people have, and others should leave to proffesionals.

If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a PM

[MattODoom]

Anyways, after doing this for a long time and seeing all of the F-ups from DIY I HIIGHLY discourage DIY bodywork.

I think some people here (including myself) are of the type where, "nobody but me touches the car". Im not going to let anyone else do work on my car. I take too much pride in doing the job myself. If you just hand it over and have someone else do it, wheres the sense of accomplishment.

[BlackZ]

I think some people here (including myself) are of the type where, "nobody but me touches the car". Im not going to let anyone else do work on my car. I take too much pride in doing the job myself. If you just hand it over and have someone else do it, wheres the sense of accomplishment.

Your right, but some of those people know they shouldnt take on a task that they cant accomplish.

Let me rephrase "Anyone can do it, but not everyone can make it look good, if a person would rather have there car look like shit just to say "i did it myslef" then so be it
There is a reason people that work in body shops are certified "professionals", not sayin im better, just in general

[EMCC Randy]

If you just hand it over and have someone else do it, wheres the sense of accomplishment.

I can see your point, I would have liked to have done my own car, but at this point in time I didn't have the time so a decision has to be made to find someone who will do the job the way you want it done.
My pride is the fact that I worked my butt off to be able to pay for it.
If I did it, it would be in the garage for the next 5 years, maybe if not longer.

[meissen]

I can honestly say that since I have owned my car, the only other person that has ever worked on the car aside from myself and my dad is Sean from CARS. I trust him with it, granted it's nothin that special just a v6 Camaro.