Expert: Michael Kakuk - 9/1/2010

Question
I just bought a challenger 72 and planning to rebuild it myself a the exception of the paint. I want to sand it to the bare metal, put the primer on and prepare it to for the paint job. I want to know what kind and brand of primer I should use to prime on bare metal and the grid of sanding before putting the primer and after the primer. I will try to not use body filler(all new parts). I want to paint it candy apple red and black. It will be a body shop that will do the paint job.

Answer
IT DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF THE PANELS....TAKING THE PANELS DOWN TO BARE METAL MAY NOT BE YOUR BEST/LABOR IDEA. TRY A 220 GRIT AND SEE ID THE PAINT IS SANDING PROPERLY....FEATHER EDGING NICELY AND NOT CLUMPING UP.....IF SO CONTINUE ON AND USE A SEALER AND THEN A PRIMER.

IF YOU STILL WANT TO TAKE IT DOWN THE HEAVIER THE GRIT THE MORE WORK IT WILL BE. YOU CAN USE 180 GRIT DA SANDPAPER.


AS FOR THE PRIMER IT IS BEST TO USE THE PRIMER THAT IS RECCOMENDED
BY THE PAINT LINE THAT THE SHOP IS USING.