[OlrustysGhost]

After I get an exhaust on it, after I rebuild the carb, after I get the floor pans rebuilt, I'm going to be removeing some of the dents and fill in some rusted out holes. Right now I have a rubber hammer to wack with to keep from damaging the body anymore. I'm not a body person, but I want to to learn. So, to begin with is there a special tool, or something that I may have around the house to help push out some of the dents?
Thanks!

I have many questions and few answers :hand:

 

[Zephyrman]

Haynes has a manual on how to do your own body work, step by step, I have a copy. Don't know if it's still published or not, but there's a lot of good info in there, including a list of tools you need. If I can get my scanner to work, I'll post up some of the pages

 

['80monty]

i know one method involves welding a piece of rod to the middle of the dent then using a slide-hammer type tool to grab the rod and hammer outwards to pull at the dented area. when finished, you cut the rod off and grind it down smooth. another dent pulling tool i've seen is like a giant suction cup you put over the dent, push down, and use it to "suck" the dent outwards. not sure how well that would work though.

 

[Jonzo77]

hammer and dolly set are nice to have, it also depends on how big the dents are. in theory the exact same amount of force in the exact opposite direction of the original dent, should pop the panel out to it's original shape. thats how i was taught to fix collision damage...

 

[OlrustysGhost]

I'll give anything try to keep me werkin on the car. That's the reason I bought it was for ME to bring it back to driver condition not some repair shop. My wife thinks I'm crazy... I think it's Fun!
The more knowledge I gain, the more I can share.

 

[Jonzo77]

true

 

[OlrustysGhost]

I started wacking away with my rubber mallet last night. As I was working on some of the dents, and amazing thing happened! With just using the hammer around the outside of the dents a lot of them came out! Granted, there are still dings left that need pushed out with a dollie and hammer, But just using the mallet brought a lot of the stuff out. If I'm not doings this right someone please let me know.
Also when I start filling in I'm going to need some advice cause that's and area I'm weak in. In other words, suck at.

 

['80monty]

i'm right there with ya rusty. one of the reasons i bought my fairmont was to have a "practice car" for doing body work. and boy does it need it! i've already dealt with a lot of the rust. now its time for patch panels, filling and lots of sanding.

 

[OlrustysGhost]

I'm going to go by harbor freight today to see what they have in the way of dollies.
Also, I need to see about picking up a rebuild kit for the carb. I checked it last night and the accel. pump isn't working.
I recieved my MAC book! It has the qtr panels I need, But I couldn't find the floor pans. It seems that for this year they are not making alot of parts.

 

[Stymees'mont]

Sounds like your doing fine. Really we can help you out more if we can see the worse areas and then we could tell if you need a tool or if its simple as using a toilet plunger....has worked time to time believe it or not. The body filler...not real hard but there is a right way and a wrong way.
Also, when ever hammering any dent...just dont hammer to hard. So you dont make things worse and get way out of shape. Work slowly and from outside to inside of the dent. Dont go right for the crease right away. A slide hammer is very help full. These you can pull not just the dent but around it and from the direction of the blow. Working each point little by little.
A good way to learn...put a dent or two in a pop can...then try to repair it. Work the outside and even from the inside.

 

[OlrustysGhost]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll follow all to the letter til I smack my thumb with a hammer, then all bets are off!!
I did pick up a dollie kit from harbor freight today. Since it's Mothers Day I didn't get a chance to try it out. Mebe tomorrow.:ihih:

 

[just_ed]

I do that crap for a living, 20 yrs now, and I still hate it.... just take your time and use a sanding block that fit the contour of what you are sanding ... the bigger/longer block that you can use the straighter it "should" become

 

[OlrustysGhost]

Hey, Just ED! It looks like you are going to become my best Buddy!
So, Buddy, should I cut out the rust out of the rear quarter panels or replace? Is there a rule of thumb to do this? :confused5:

 

[just_ed]

if you can buy the panel, buy the panel... don't shortcut... the rust will come back. patch panels work as well but need persuading but are a good choice, but in some cases you need to make your own piece... but be sure to weld the pieces in, there are panel bonding agents that work.. I used that on my inlaws 71 chevelle... keeps water out of the seam if you can weld great you can always pay to have somebody do it and you finish it to save a few dollars I am in bmore, md I could help if you are close

 

[OlrustysGhost]

Used ta live in bmore. I still have relatives there. I was in the brooklyn/curtis bay area
a Looong time ago. Used to go to capt harvey's in dundalk for a cheesesteak sub. The best in town!

 

[just_ed]

they've gone downhill Filletti's has the best now by far, as far as Brooklyn...I like Fred and Margie's... my uncles trans shop is on Belle Grove rd