Advice/Progress Thread, update on pg4, 5/26/10 Options

[captb]

Hey guys, if you have restoration experience i could really use your help.

The paint job and all the dents finally put me in the position to sell the 6g. problem was i couldnt find a car that can match the 6g's "feel" if you know what i mean. Since having a shop repair her is so expensive, i figured ill tackle restoring her on my own. After watching alot of youtube videos and reading how-to's on restoration, im confident enough to try it, but still have a few questions and would appreciate your opinions.

(1) money and quality wise would you recommend i do a maaco job or tackle painting on my own(either rent a booth or enclosed tent)?

(2) are there any considerations/advice for using bondo or other recommended products on non-metal surfaces such as the bumper and sideskirts? will the flexibility of the bumper be a problem?

(3) Im pretty much gonna sand/bondo the entire car and am considering a bodykit. If i were to get a cheap one off ebay, will getting the thing to fit be the same as sanding and bondoing the thing, or will i need to do some fiberglass work? Id love the gt-four look, have any recommendations on where to get bodykits for cheap?

(4) I am also having problems with rust below both doors. Rust cant be seen from the outside, but looking from the inside, it is definitely a problem. Would u recommend i restore it myself by cutting and welding or just replace the door entirely?

(5) When i do paint it, would you recommend i remove different parts; hood, trunk, doors? also, would it be worth my while to remove things like the lining and windshields? id figure sanding and bondoing would be nicer with the linings removed.

(6) Any videos and/or websites would you recommend i check out before i start. most of the videos i watched seemed to be from the 80's. any videos with more modern techniques? or has restoration been pretty much ageless.

This is alot of info and questions but i would appreciate any input on 1, 2, or all of my questions.

Thanks,
-Joel

This post has been edited by captb: May 28, 2010 - 10:13 PM

[captb]

ok, the indicator problem is solved now back to body work.

Question:
i have seen alot of people remove dents and apply bondo but i noticed that alot of people featheredge the bondo onto the paint. then they paint the entire piece over it. from what i understood, you have to at least lightly sand the existing paint before applying a new coat. wont the clear coat keep the paint from getting a good bond?

follow-up to this question is when im featheredging the bondo to existing paint, the clear coat tends to peel almost as if it were a plastic wrap. and even when i apply primer it is very noticeable where the clear stops and starts. i cant seem to featheredge the clear. is the best way to sand the entire car till the clear is removed? or do as i have seen some due and apply paint remover and try my best to get it to bare metal? i dont know if this will affect the answer but when i see the paint it seems as if it were applied as a single thick layer more susceptable to chipping.

i have to drive this car even as im doing the bodywork. is it alright that i expose the bondo to the elements for days even weeks(ex. rain) or should i apply a thin coat of primer to any unfinished surface and sand it down when i have the time to work on it again?

last question, im also installing a bodykit. should i use a sealer tape(kinda like caulking) similar to the oem kits on the corollas? and if i should, i have only seen clear and black being sold, im thinking black would look best on a red car, any suggestions?

sorry again for all the questions, im kinda a perfectionist and i need help nearly everystep of the way to make sure it turns out perfect.