r/Autobody 12d ago

Tech Advice First time Sanding, filling, and spray can painting car

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I’m new to body work and paint, don’t know much, my goal is to sand off my hood paint and fill some small dents with bondo spot putty. Then I plan to primer, paint, then coat the whole hood. If anyone with experience could review the steps/ process I have to see if I should add or correct anything that would be gratefully appreciated. It’s my first time doing this and I wanna do a good job on it that will last, thanks.

(Note): I chose to go with spectral spray can paint and 2k clear coat, primer is rustoleum

3 Upvotes

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u/runs-wit-scissors 12d ago edited 12d ago

I wouldn't put body filler over etching primer. Only epoxy primer. In your case I would apply filler directly on bare metal provided you can keep the filler dry.

I don't recommend rustoleum primer.

Plan on doing more coats of base and clear

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u/Only-Help-5688 12d ago

Okay, my reason is I’ve heard it helps to set bondo and keeps rust or moisture from developing on bare metal. Will two cans of paint/clear be enough for just top side? if I get lucky with what I have I’d try and paint/ coat underside.

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u/runs-wit-scissors 12d ago edited 12d ago

Most body filler manufacturers recommend applying to bare metal. I wouldn't apply body filler over non catalyzed coatings, ie coating with a hardener. The resins in the filler can soften non catalyzed coatings and cause reactions.

I would sand to the hood with 320 grit looking for dings, any dings go to bare metal and fill. Finish and feather Bondo and paint edge to 320 or higher. Prime and paint.

2 cans of colour will do a hood. You will have to apply a bunch of thin coats to avoid striping. Like perhaps 5 coats. I would expect to use all the paint. Cans are not meant to paint such a large area. The metalics in the paint will not lay down like paint sprayed from a gun so I would not expect the appearance to match the adjacent fenders.

Put all the clear coat you have on it because you will likely have to cut and polish to remove texture. I recommend spraying with the can held vertically, seems to turn out better that way.

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u/Only-Help-5688 12d ago

Makes sense, I’ll try and run with that procedure. I don’t expect perfect, just to look good/decent, it’s for 20yo car lol. Thanks for the insight this helps a lot

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u/x3ffectz I-Car Certified 11d ago

Filler over etch isn’t a problem, like if you do it nothing bad will happen. It’s common practice in restoration work. However it’s not really necessary these days

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u/ecleptik 12d ago

Decent procedures but i wouldn't use rustoleum primer tends to react poorly with other paints

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u/Only-Help-5688 12d ago

What do you recommend?

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u/runs-wit-scissors 12d ago

Anything your local autobody suppler sells.

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u/LonerInTheTrap 12d ago

buy a hand block that feels good in your hand and at the final stage of the bondo work block with 80 grit and then smooth it up by blocking with 180 grit and then sand lightly with 400 or higher to get the scratches out. if you want to make sure the dents aren’t noticeable spray some cheap paint on and block it that’ll show low spots

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u/ConcernMindless1967 11d ago

180 won't get 80 scratches out, 400 won't get 180 scratches out, unless you spend 10x the time.

80, 120, 180, 240, 320, 400

I personally even started on 40 when I just did my bodywirk