Respect for Restoration Projects.

[javeryh]

I have a whole new appreciation for people who take on restoration projects. Getting the bondo just right is very difficult. I haven't even started painting yet and I've already put in about 5 times as much time as I thought this would take. The edges are especially tricky and smoothing out the rough spots sounds easy in theory but getting it *perfect* is not a quick job.

I figured a few hours on a Saturday and I'd have everything filled, sanded and painted no problem.  What do I know?

What kind of sandpaper are you guys using?  I've been going with 100 grit to sand down the bondo but I plan on going over the entire thing with 220 grit before applying the first coat of primer.  Does this sound right?

[ChadTower]

Depends on how perfect you mean by perfect.  More perfect = finer sandpaper.

Rule of thumb is that these tasks always take twice as long as you think it will.  Make that 4x if you're a true perfectionist and 8x if you have the wrong tools.

[javeryh]

I'm probably in the 4X category.  I've bondoed the same spot 2 and 3 times just to get it "perfect" even though it will get covered by 2-3 coats of primer and 2-3 top coats - and the side art!

I plan to go over the primer and top coats with really fine sandpaper - at least 400 grit but I'll probably even go up to 600.  I do not plan to sand the final top coat though - hopefully the foam roller won't leave too much of a mark.

[OldTymeToys]

I'm probably in the 4X category.  I've bondoed the same spot 2 and 3 times just to get it "perfect" even though it will get covered by 2-3 coats of primer and 2-3 top coats - and the side art!

I plan to go over the primer and top coats with really fine sandpaper - at least 400 grit but I'll probably even go up to 600.  I do not plan to sand the final top coat though - hopefully the foam roller won't leave too much of a mark.

Do you really use 2-3 coats of primer?  I've had luck with 1 coat of tinted primer and 2 top coats.  Foam roller too- works awesome! 

[javeryh]

I'm probably in the 4X category.  I've bondoed the same spot 2 and 3 times just to get it "perfect" even though it will get covered by 2-3 coats of primer and 2-3 top coats - and the side art!

I plan to go over the primer and top coats with really fine sandpaper - at least 400 grit but I'll probably even go up to 600.  I do not plan to sand the final top coat though - hopefully the foam roller won't leave too much of a mark.

Do you really use 2-3 coats of primer?  I've had luck with 1 coat of tinted primer and 2 top coats.  Foam roller too- works awesome! 

I tend to sand like a madman trying to achieve the flattest finish possible with a foam roller.  If I don't put several thin coats on I always end up sanding all of the paint away...