filling large areas - tips required

[sheepdip]

Hi All

I am in the middle of an Escort MK2 build. The problem I have is that the shell was an ex rally car so has seen some action! The rear wings have large areas than need filling. I have progressed them quite well using a sander then 80 grit on a block but need tips on getting them as flat as poss before painting please.

[TROOPER88]

To be honest ideally you would not need very much filler at all...

The reason for this is a suitable dent puller would pull all the metal to the correct position before you go over with a skim of filler.

I am not sure if you have seen them but a few pins are quickly welded to the panel and a key is then inserted through the end of these pins before attaching the puller.

Cheers

[Kidders]

Best tip - Get the panel as flat as you can before using filler. Filler is not designed for big dents, its to level a panel after a repair. This can be done with PDR tools or a pin puller. Doesnt matter if it takes two hours to get a dent 90%, it will show in the end result and be much easier to use filler afterwards.

[sheepdip]

I have pulled the dents using the normal methods, but it getting the filler flat thats the problem for such large areas. I have used a sanding block and a steel rule to see how flat I am getting it. Just hoping there might be some tips out there new to me.

[paintman]

A long bed sanding block.
Something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Long-Bed-Solid-Velcr...
Or if you want to use dust extraction & something like abranet then one like this that you can hook up to a vacuum:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONG-BED-SOLID-VELCRO-HO...

Use a guide coat - cheap black aerosol misted on works fine - to show up the highs & lows.

[Kidders]

Always use a block big than the area of the dent you want to fill. Links above are good. Alternate between a cross hatch pattern to sand the filler,occasionally use a straight line, more so at the end of the sanding stage.

[VinceFox]

As above, maybe throw final skim on with higher quality stuff then high build and guide coat to knock back.

Pics?

[Kidders]

I always use an easy sanding filler for the 1st stage, a finer filler 2nd and finish with a glaze. If you need to use more than that, you haven't got rid of the dent good enough