help with body work

[hatchcivic]

I recently purchased a 88 hb civic for $200 dollars and I need some advice about fixing the panel for cheap the dent is under the gas tank lid cover.

[!M!}[]

cheap would be just fill it with bondo but thats not going to be the correct way to do it find u a hb in the junk yard and get the panel out of it and then have the metal work done if u look around u sould be able to find someone to do it for a decent price

[TheSilentChamber]

without seeing it I cant help you.

[jhmcrx]

my brother used to do auto body work,
here is a quick runthu and easy way to go BUT i dont know how bad it is so im not sure if this will help you, anyway go to your local auto part store and buy
* Dent puller (weight/size depends on size of dent)
* Body filler/hardner (bondo) i think works best
* Pic (punch)
* Hammer
* Somthing to spread the bondo/hardner mix with
* sanding paper (various grits) or you may have to use a power sander
* A few cans of sandable primer
* Masking tape

first clean the area, grab your pic and your hamer decide where the best
spots will be for the dent pulley, insert the tip of the pully into one of the holes and twist it in fairly deep, this is where you have to be carfull
not to pull it too far out or you will be making everything much harder.
once out the you may have to use your hammer some to knock the holes from the pully back in a bit. Now that you have the fender/panel poped back out as best as you can, sand the paint off that area.
Now get your Bondo and hardner, pour some bondo into a tray get you hardner and you have to be very carfull not to put too much hardner or the mix will dry too fast ans you will have to start over, and do not put too less or you will be wait a LONG time for it to dry and you cant sand wet filler! once you think u have a good mix apply some filler with your spreader over the holes and arounf that area, i suggest using a little bit more than needed so once its dry your sand it just to your liking. Once the filler is completly dry (around 25-60 mins) use a rough grit at first, as you get closer to even use light grit to smooth it out, now that its smooth wipe all the dust off get your masking tape and mask off the area and all surrounding parts, evenly apply coats of primer (assuming you used spray paint before)
look at it a differnt angles and if its not even sand it to perfection!


well i hope this helped! it always has for me, Good luck!

P.S
suction cups, dint wizard etc.. dont usually work

[TheSilentChamber]

Use that method and it will rust out quick, the bondo will squirt though the open holes creating a little tail like that wicks moisture and the moisture will start rusting out the metal that the bondo is attached to. Also giving a dent puller to an inexperianced person is asking for trouble as they have no idea how to read the dent.

[jhmcrx]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

Use that method and it will rust out quick, the bondo will squirt though the open holes creating a little tail like that wicks moisture and the moisture will start rusting out the metal that the bondo is attached to. Also giving a dent puller to an inexperianced person is asking for trouble as they have no idea how to read the dent.

it hasent for me, the back panel on the pic below was dented pretty good when i first got it, i used that method and its fine till today

[jhmcrx]

ive herd u can use some screen like sheets over the holes but i never used them before

[TheSilentChamber]

Yeah your right what do I know? Your an expert because you've fixed one dent. Sorry for quesntioning your methods your highness.

[jhmcrx]

umm no....my bro used to use the method all the time on many of our cars with no problems, and no im not claiming im an expert or anything im just giving everything i know, since i never had a problem i thought i share it....

[!M!}[]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

Yeah your right what do I know? Your an expert because you've fixed one dent. Sorry for quesntioning your methods your highness.

lol