Because of your support of my "Basics of Basics" and encouraging me to write more, I have improved my own work.

It just goes to show you that some extra study on a subject can ALWAYS help. I think as a pro you do these things every day and some of the techniques get forgotten. Whenever I write one of my "Basics" I study the subject, not only examining my work, but also study other writings.

This study, just like reading posts here gives you a more clearer picture of why you do certain things. A novice of course is learning something they have never done, but pros can also learn because of other views, or just as a refresher.

The "Basics" I recently wrote on inverted MIG welding has really brought me up to another level in my welding. I am blown away at the beautiful welding I am doing. It is because of the study (including inward studies of my own work) that I have improved.

I highly recommend anyone doing this work, including the pros, to not gloss over the posts here and read them to understand, not just see what is said, but UNDERSTAND what is said.

There is so much more to this stuff that what meets the eye. We could never learn it all, but with study we can all improve.

One thing that I have learned from reading forums such as this is the wide variety of information. As a guy who has worked in a body shop or two, your exposure is limited. That was one of the things I got off on when I was a paint rep. Seeing so many, many different ways people got this work done was amazing. We can do that right here without ever leaving home.

Thank you again, I have more in the "Basics of Basics" in the works. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif


------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

[This message has been edited by MARTINSR (edited 02-15-2003).]

Martinsr, thanks for all of your help to all of us on this board.

I got a shop that is going to media blast my entire car for $600. What would be the best route for me to go with this. I know I'm going to need to repair the lower portion of at least one of my fenders. One door needs a new skin and the other one is sticking out at the bottom towards the back of the car.

So, my question is do I align the body panels up first and then take it to be blasted or do I leave it go and align them after incase I need to remove something to work on it?

I will hopefully be able to post some pictures to show what I am working with.

Thanks again!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sportster:
Martinsr, thanks for all of your help to all of us on this board.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Myself included on that statement, I consider you to be "the man" to go to when a question arrises with paint/body. While there are others who are very talented on this subject, you take the extra mile to educate the rest of us, even if we have been doing this for a while http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Cheers to you sir http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif



------------------

Craig Sanden

Distant thunder, cold as stone, a big block screams down from it's throne, one by one each car succumbs, something WICKED this way comes.

MartinSR, Your BASICS SERIES has been informative and useful to many on this site. I really wish that AL could somehow put these into a separate section that's easy to find. There seems to many repeat questions, mostly from newbies, that could be covered in a BASICS of BODYWORK section. I try to answer as many as I'm qualified or able to, but it would be much easier to refer them to a valuable source of information of all of the basics and leave the forum to problems or issues at hand. A lot of folks don't or won't use the SEARCH feature that this site offers. We all learn best by researching, asking questions and actually DOING the work as you stated. Knowing where and how to start is the first thing a beginner must do and that's where I think this site come into play. I believe that some of the other BASICS that could be covered are:

Metal prep and Primers
Working with plastic fillers
Board sanding- getting it straight & Smooth
Primers & Paints - What to use and when?
Color sanding
Rust repair & rust removal

We also have to keep in mind that there are many ways to 'skin a cat' and we all have our own little procedures and tricks, but the BASICS cover them genericly which is great. Keep up the good work.
One of my favorite quotes that can be applied to bodywork and life in general is, 'There are no oridinary moments', which to me, means; You must keep focused on what you do ALL of the time and with everything that you do. When you study what you do, it allows yourself to constantly improve. That's what it sonds like you are doing and it's benefitting all of us when you share it. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 02-16-2003).]

my car is in a shop.the repairs are done in primer now. your basics has gave me a little knowledge to make decisions about car. one good thing the body man seems to do things the way you suggest.he does a lot of custom work so now and than i have to bring him back to working mans price range. thanks for all your info.
jerry

Martin, your the man!! Please keep up the good work.

Rob

I've been around TC since the beginning. I don't get over here in the Body Shop much, but you sir, from all I've seen, have been a great asset to TC. This is what makes this the envy of the automotive sites. Sure, we have our spats, but in the end, the cream rises to the top.

As a former body shop owner(15+ years ago), a lot has changed in the business since then. Is a Binks No. 7 still the best?!?! It's great to have a place to get correct, reliable info.

Thank YOU!

------------------
-Mark
TC# 717
ACES #1641
1967 Chevelle SS396/375 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat2)
1967 RailVelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1badrat3.jpg)
1964 Chevelle 283/195
1975 Corvette 396/425 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat1.jpg) "Wow, that's a mighty strong 350!"
Rat Garage (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/RatGarage.jpg)

Keep up the good work. I have already cut and pasted over 40 pages of your "Basics of Basics" and I look forward to adding more to that document. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

How do we get to all of the "Basic of Basics" reference docs? I would like to read them as well. I don't do a whole lot of paint work anymore - hate the dirty prep work. I'd rather be greasy than covered with polyester dust for some reason. I would still like to read the info for possible future reference. Keep up the good work.

Troy.

Never mind - I performed a search and they were all listed there for me.

Thanks - Troy.

Let me say thanks too !! After reading the post about mig welding I can say that my welds have improved. I've learned from other posts too. Thanks MARTINSR

------------------
64 ElCamino (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jul/20027306594843713937468.jpg) 350 700r4 3.42 posi website (http://tiresmoke.iwarp.com/)

Boy guys, I thank you for all your kind words (who wouldn't). But, I don't want anyone to get the impression that is why I started this thread. I really didn't even mean to start a thread, though I should have figured I would. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I really mean what I said in the original post That I thank YOU, for helping me study.
And the simple point that someone may feel that my "Basics" are just too..well.. basic.

The fact that you have been doing this many years doesn't mean that you can't learn something from my "Basics" or any other post here. That is all I really meant to say.
However, I have to thank you for your accolades, I really do appreciate it. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"