How many of you do your own? Also, I'd like to do most of the work myself on it. I know it takes tons of practice to do it "right", but besides tools (hammers, dollies) what would it be good to be proficient at? Do most that do welding use a MIG welder? I haven't done body work since I was a Junior in HS (10 years ago), so I still remember some stuff, but would need some tips and tricks.

I've got a '66 notchback. There will be need of patch panals in most of the standard places... I'll most likely replace the doors all together. haven't pulled up the carpet to see how the floors look yet.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I haven't touched weldign gear in 25 years (high school also lol) but plan on doing everything myselfthrough to final sanding and paint. that said.. My father and his best friend are helping me on the car and they both know how to weld so I'll be getting the fast lessons from them. I'd suggest you checkout the local colleges for a quick welding course or ask around the local car clubs if anyone could give you a hand on this.

 

I'm taking an autobody repair class now and whenever we can we do spot welding. I've used the mig welder just a little bit mostly to secure a patch in place (it was on the rear side of a fender) but then used a spot welder the rest of the way around. But that probably also answers your question yes, I'm doing the bodywork myself. I had never touched a welder or even seen one up close before taking this class. It's really not that hard, you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

 

I would plan on doing more then just spotwelding patches in. I just don't know how common that kind of work is. Like full beads and grinding it down vs just spot welding stuff in place. Seems like doing full seams and grinding it smooth then using as little filler as possible to make it "just right".

The ROP classes are a good idea. I know my old highschool used to have some, I'll look into that. Has anyone here seam welded the chassis to make it more rigid? Was that done with a MIG welder? I'm just trying to plan for purchases. So getting a list of good body work tools in order now helps prep for when I can get started on this. Also, it allows me time to get some practice in via ROP classes / self practice prior to working on my cars body. I don't believe there is anything that will consitute full panel replacement on the car, so it's not like super major surgery here.

 

The first time I sanded down and painted my car was in a bodyshop class at a community college. I learned how to weld, etc. during the course of the class and my car became my final project. All that being said, to do an entire car yourself, you gotta really love what you're doing and just use common sense and pay attention to detail. It also takes time to be done right by yourself. However, if you can bribe friends with free beer, you might get some good work out of them. Very little in the process is actually difficult, it's just a really, reallly, really big job.

Don't expect the car to be beautiful the first time, either. I had to redo my first job due to a few reasons including the paint booth being too cold that day, but I did have another guy in the class helping me with the project. I learned a ton from him, too. Now, I do most of the work myself, but I don't really have the patience for a beautiful final block sand or enough practice to shoot a beautiful 2-stage job without a lot of finesse happening in between and after. I leave those for either a shop or my best friend. I know I can do it if I really buckle down, but I just don't willingly have the kind of patience required and rather than screw it up and have to redo it, I leave it to people who know and love what they're doing.

 

I don't think I'd paint it. Dunno why. It's not like I want some uber hard paint scheme (just want Deep Wedgewood Metallic blue base with silver Shelby stripes). I just would rather pay to have that done. I've always been more interested in doing the body work / drivetrain work / electrical work / interior work. Just never been a fan of doing the paint job. Time is of no concern to me really. My wife and I both have reliable daily drivers, and I'd want to make sure to take the time and make sure it gets done properly.