Gerahead's 71 Dart

Hello gerahead,
Chances are the PO kept adding to fill low spots instead of sanding to level with original metal. I've seen that happen a lot on prior resto's that my Dad and I performed (Old Bentley's Rolls, Jags, etc...) When we were finished working metal back into shape, we ended up with an absolute minimum of filler, in many cases skim coating and a light bolck was enought to quell previous issues. Long blocks such as those developed by AFS and durablock go a long way to truly flattening filler and primer. Our vehicles have some pretty long and flat surfaces and the longer the block the better. Sometimes in a pinch you can use some metal to metal by evercoat to initiate restructuring of body lines and due to its inclusion of aluminum into the resin and polymer, the repair will shape and hold as nice as led. I am a firm believer in re-leding where the factory originally performed led work. Nothing lasts longer! Keep up the good work. A great paint job isn't necessarily about the paint itself. It's all in the detail and prep.

132068Dart,
New avitar....looks good. While this is the first complete body re-do that I've done, I have done my homework. Don't have 'erm yet but a set of the durablocks is in the plan, including the very long one. I am baffled by what happened to the body lines around the wheel wells. It is almost like the crease above the opening was hammered pretty flat. Maybe someone side-swiped a post or something in its earlier life. I may try my hand at recovering it, I can't make it any worse right? I'll see how much progress I can make easily, its not like this is irreplaceable metal that I have to save. It might be good practice, its just that where this damage is.....makes it a little more daunting to do a nice job by a rookie. Thanks again, L8r

Jim