I will probably start doing some body work on my 68 Malibu next year, and I need to formulate a solid strategy on how to proceed. My first objective is to start disassembling the front end, doors, hoods, etc. Then I will replace floor and trunk pans. Then off comes the body. I want to take the body down to bare metal. I have read many posts about media blasting vs. aircraft stripper. Which method gets off old bondo? Once the body is down to bare metal I expect to apply a self etching primer. Will this prevent further rust if the parts sit in my garage for about a year? Then I will want to do any bondo work. Then prime with high filler primer, paint, then clear coat. Given the order in which I want to accomplish this, what type products will I have to use to keep things from delaminating? Which products are compatible epoxy, polyester, urethane, bondo?

TIA, Kevin

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We will either find the way, or make one. Hannibal

68 Chevelle
383 Stroker/AFR 195s/XE 274/RPM Air Gap/Holley 750 cfm

TC# 1805

Pull up all posts by MARTINSR. Be careful to insure that the demands of life and requirements of vehicle do not exceed your resources in time, dollars and knowledge. Start small, do panels one or two at a time. Start with bolt on panels. Learn and practice on each one. Take photos before taking apart significantly. Bag and separate all fasteners and small parts and label where they came from. Buy a chassis manual and a Body by Fischer assembly manual. Develop a good relationship with a Good body/refinsh person. Marry his sister, mow his Mom's lawn or something!! If you don't have a lot of tools, welder, and the experience to go with them, be prepared to "TOOL UP" and learn. Set your computer to boot up to this site and memorize the archives. P.S. FOOD FOR THOUGHT My car has been apart for EIGHT years, and I own a collision and mechanical shop. ---Most important--- Keep it fun and set realistic goals for car and yourself. Karl

Karl has said a mouthful, Kevin, you CAN'T me too anal when it comes to detailed info on putting this thing back together. Let me say it again, YOU CAN'T BE TO ANAL WHEN IT COMES TO NOTES AND PHOTOS!

Get many boxes of sandwich bags, and larger "storage" bags and a couple of "Sharpies" to write on them.

Go NUTS with this, bag each seat bolts in a separate bag. Bag the glove box screws in a separate bag. Bag the each door screws and bolts in a few separate bags. YOU CAN'T BE TOO ANAL.

I also HIGHLY recommed that you strip each panel at a time and do the body work on it, bringing it up to final urethane primer before going on to the next panel.

Hear me now, believe me later. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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

I think the best advice is keep it FUN. The second it is no longer fun is the second you forget about the car and loss the desire to work on it. great advice from Martin, do one panel at a time then go on to the next. Start on something easy like a fender where you have acess too both sides, learn the in's and out's of hammers and dollies.

I dont see any point of stripping parts applying a self etch waiting a year then doing body work. Strip each part as you do your body work. Plus if left uncoated self etch can absorb moisture over time, so top coat it with urethane primer.

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1970 chevelle
1970 chevelle SS455 not a typo its a BUICK BABY
1949 and 1972 chevy trucks
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sevt_chevelles

Thank you one and all for your responses. I will follow this advice religously. I will be "tooling up" and learning throughout this process. I do have a very positive attitude in general, so I will be sure to keep this project fun. I have about 2-3 years to complete this project so I don't mind taking my time and doing it right. I will pull all of MartinSR's posts and print them out. Again thanks, Kevin

P.S. I am getting a digital camera for Xmas this year to document everything. I will keep everyone posted as to my progress.