Hey guys! Not being Picasso with a welder and grinder - and really sucking as a painter but trying to get better - after welding the pinch seam that runs down the length of a 65 C10 bedside (red arrow in photo), what material/ filler stack is recommended to get everything smooth for paint?
I've read of people using JB weld, VPA, lead and regular filler but with no real long term results reported. The bodyline does flex in this area (which opens the gap if a rigid body filler were to be used), especially when the bed side is persuaded to fit the tailgate using the panel to truck frame support rods. I think this may cause body filler to crack.
I've read multiple posts on the forum cautioning against shrinkage, urethane wave, ect when using polyester or urethane based fillers/ high build primers. I've experienced these issues and unfortunately the the nervous breakdown that follows after spending months of sanding, blood, sweat, tears and bags of money - only to find the weather conditions of the day make the final final finish range between T-rex skin and glass.
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to learn best practices for show oriented finishes to help make my paint work better.
I've read of people using JB weld, VPA, lead and regular filler but with no real long term results reported. The bodyline does flex in this area (which opens the gap if a rigid body filler were to be used), especially when the bed side is persuaded to fit the tailgate using the panel to truck frame support rods. I think this may cause body filler to crack.
I've read multiple posts on the forum cautioning against shrinkage, urethane wave, ect when using polyester or urethane based fillers/ high build primers. I've experienced these issues and unfortunately the the nervous breakdown that follows after spending months of sanding, blood, sweat, tears and bags of money - only to find the weather conditions of the day make the final final finish range between T-rex skin and glass.
- What product do you pros recommend to fill a flexible sheet metal seam which isn't completely sealed from behind and needs get blocked with the rest of the panel?
- The guys using 100% epoxy fillers - are you using an epoxy marine fairing compound in place of lightweight body filler? Does marine epoxy fairing compound play nice with the typical automotive refinish stack?
- Does a polyester high build primer have issues with cracking when applied over a more flexible base layer like epoxy?
- Can a high build polyester go over 870VPA without cracking issues down the road?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to learn best practices for show oriented finishes to help make my paint work better.