How to Do Body Work on Automobiles

Automotive body work is a skill that many auto body technicians go to a trade school to learn. This skill can also be learned by following instructions and practicing on as many vehicles as possible. Auto body work includes physical labor and basic technical skills. Tools and materials are needed to do body work on automobiles. Most body tools and materials can be found at a parts store with some specialty tools or materials only available at an automotive paint supply store.

Instructions

1

Drill holes in the deepest areas of dents. Insert the tip of the dent puller into the hole and screw it in by twisting the end. Slide the weighted handle back and forth to 'pull' the dent out. Rotate to different holes until the dent is more flat and even with the surface of the car. Use a body hammer to tap down any high spots that rise higher that the surrounding surface of the car. The repaired area should be lower than the surrounding surface.

2

Grind inside and around the edges of the dent with a grinder and 80 grit disc pad. Grind away all paint and primer until you get down to the bare metal. Use a plastic squeegee to apply a thick coat of body filler. The filler should fill in all low areas and be thick enough to rise higher than the surrounding surface of the car. Let the filler dry and harden for one hour.

3

Wrap a sanding block with 180 grit sandpaper and sand the dried body filler until it is smooth and level with the surface of the car. Sand the area again using 220 grit sandpaper on the sanding block. This smooths the surface more and removes the deeper scratches put in the filler by the 180 grit paper. Keep the sanding block smooth and flat against the car's surface.

4

Place masking tape and paper over all areas that won't be painted. Cover the window glass, tires, wheels, door handles, key holes, trim, lights and grille. Use wax and grease remover and a towel to wipe the surface of the car to remove particles that can show up under the finished paint job.

5

Cover the repaired area with primer, holding the can 6 to 8 inches from the surface and using left to right motions, not up and down. Use one thick coat and allow it to dry for 30 minutes. Sand the primered area smooth with 400 grit sandpaper. Wipe it down with wax and grease remover once more.

6

Spray three to four thin coats of paint over the area, holding the sprayer 6 to 8 inches from the surface. Begin at the top of the car and work down, keeping the coats light and thin to avoid runs in the paint. Wait 15 minutes between each coat. Repeat these techniques using clear coat paint. Wait a full day before handling the area.