When working on with orignal body panels that still have the factory waviness how do you make them smooth as glass. I am not looking for shot cuts but the best approach. It seems to me that sanding the panel smooth would be better than fillers and high build primers. Let me know why I'm wrong.
I am very particular about getting cars arrow straight and smooth like glass.
There a various ways to accomplish this,(depending on each individual panel's needs. All of them require a lot of sanding.
Now, to answer your question, some panels are so wavy that if you tried to just sand them straight, you would compromise the fiberglass itself. Better to sand over filler and/or primer. Most of the filler and primer will get sanded off anyway, so you dont have to worry about too much build up.(an experienced body tech, will know what material to use where, to achieve the required result).
Check out our reflections page on our website to see how straight we get our cars
In my experience the factory panels did not have much waves in them. If you have original glass that is wavy I'm thinking someone took a DA sander to it at some point?
In any case, it is always best to avoid sanding the original panel. Minor waviness is fixed with a build primer that is then blocked. If you have low spots a 2-part filler is used. Every body shop has their favorite. On mine we used Dynotron Dyna-delite and had great success with it. Easy to spread, stays "cheese gratable" for a good 20 minutes and dries very hard and strong.
I am very particular about getting cars arrow straight and smooth like glass.
There a various ways to accomplish this,(depending on each individual panel's needs. All of them require a lot of sanding.
Now, to answer your question, some panels are so wavy that if you tried to just sand them straight, you would compromise the fiberglass itself. Better to sand over filler and/or primer. Most of the filler and primer will get sanded off anyway, so you dont have to worry about too much build up.(an experienced body tech, will know what material to use where, to achieve the required result).
Check out our reflections page on our website to see how straight we get our cars
Fill, sand, fill, sand, fill, sand..... it is a process that seems to have no end...but the end is there...somewhere.....and getting the panels straight is a PATIENCE BUILDER. If you have no patience now...by the end of the job...you will! It is a process...that is for sure.
"DUB"
Fill, sand, fill, sand, fill, sand..... it is a process that seems to have no end...but the end is there...somewhere.....and getting the panels straight is a PATIENCE BUILDER. If you have no patience now...by the end of the job...you will! It is a process...that is for sure."DUB"
with emphasis on fix, fill and sand. Has sanding been mentioned yet?? And to give you an idea, when its all said and done, I will have made 10 laps around my car.
My problem seems to be low spots. As I slowly sand the old paint off I get to areas that need to be spot sanded for lack of a better term. I do not want to make the problem worse so should I sand in the low spot avoiding the surrounding areas or should I continue longe stokes to take it all down evenly. I asume if I need to fill I need to sand just the low spot and then fill. You say fill, sand, fill, sand. What is the best fill. I have used evercoat panel adhesive in the past and really like it. Would that be a good fill? Do you suggest something better.
Lets say that you have just put your 1st coat of primer on. Guide coat it and sand the car complete with 180g cause the end result your looking for will be a level plane, meaning 'flat'.
Once you have sanded the primer, take a look at it, you will find high and low spots, now is the time to fix them. High spots, give the glass a quick buzz with a 'roloc' disc. Now take some Evercoat 100416 'glaze' and come back and give the low spots a wipe and the high areas that you have now created a low spot a wipe also. Sand with 80g. Re-prime. Sand again with 180g and repeat until you can sand the primer with 180g and no problems will arise. You now have a flat and level surface to primer 1 more time and sand for refinishing.
Yes, you can use the Vette Panel Adhesive. It will work fine for filling and aiding in getting your panel straight. And you must know how hard it gets...due to working with it in the past. Just make sure that your panel is prepped and clean so the adhesive will adhere with the best results. VPA is AWESOME STUFF!!!
"DUB"
Corvette Store
How to make it smooth as glass.
with emphasis on fix, fill and sand. Has sanding been mentioned yet?? And to give you an idea, when its all said and done, I will have made 10 laps around my car. 
