Paint newb questions

[jballard81]

Good morning!

Finally getting to the point where I want to fix my paint. This will be my first time painting anything on a car.

There's previous filler on the hood where it looks like a branch hit it at some point in it's life. I feel like I should remove all the old filler so I know what I'm working with.

Here's the question: do I really need to remove all the old body work? As I'm removing it around the damage, the filler just keeps going. Maybe it ends at some point or maybe someone skim coated the entire hood...

The damage appears to be central but the filler keeps going.

Being my first attempt at this and not expecting perfection, would it be reasonable at this point to add filler and blend it in? I know it won't last as long, that's fine. Maybe it will last a few years and I'll want to do a more thorough paint job. For now I'm hoping to simply repair it, hit it with primer and dupli-color color match spray paint and some new clear.

I'm kind of treating it as a learning experience. I've done all my own work on the truck so far, don't want to change now. Maybe I will enjoy body work and want to learn more for the future?

 

[pentode]

Body work can be fun. The more patience you have, the more fun it is, I think, especially when you're not a pro.
I'm definitely far from pro, but in my experience, new filler tends to stick pretty well to old filler (as long as you give it a key and clean it well). The key to every step in body work is clean clean clean. Use panel wipe, isopropyl or some other petroleum free solvent to wipe down the area really good before the next step.
High build primer is your friend, but not necessary in all cases. Shoot thin coats. If you're not going for perfection, you'll probably be amazed how happy you'll be with the results.
Oh, and in case it's not obvious, no need to clean in between coats of paint.
I find the best way to learn is to do... And practice. Good luck!

 

[jballard81]

Awesome, exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks for the advice! I've got plenty of prep-all and will be thorough.

 

[jballard81]

Actually, another quick question.

That spot on the hood can be pushed up and down. The rest of the hood doesn't really seem to have flex in the sheet metal.

That seems like it would lead to prematurely failing body work.

Should that area be flexible, or do I need to remove my hood liner and see if the bracing structure has become unglued?

 

[jballard81]

Nevermind, answered my own question

Feel like this isn't a good spot for expanding foam. I've seen a guy on YouTube I like use windshield glue before.
Any better suggestions?

 

[jballard81]

On a roll today looks like the low buck option is polyurethane adhesive like liquid nails/ loctite

Will try that when I get a chance

 

[pentode]

I'm not an expert in car hood design either but this method of sort of gluing the top layer to the reinforcing structure in some places and welding in others seems to have become the standard. I'm sure the real body guys on here will know exactly what that is, I'm guessing probably something like a urethane adhesive (windshield glue), or maybe seam sealer or similar. If you're going for perfection, those are where I'd start but in my experience, a lot of those bonds have to fail before it's a real problem. Also, unless it's super floppy and it's going to affect your bodywork you could probably fix that later.
I presume those are mainly there to dampen vibration and reduce noise but let's see if a hood engineer has anything to say about it.

 

[pentode]

On a roll today looks like the low buck option is polyurethane adhesive like liquid nails/ loctite

Will try that when I get a chance

I'm sure that would do the job just fine.