Should I do it myself?
 

Should I try to learn and do my own body work or should I pay someone to do it? My truck is going to be a semi-daily driver and I have more time than money. But I have never tried anything like this before.

I say go for it. It always helps to learn new things...

Chuck

Go for it, I learned to do bodywork by trail and error, and a lot of time.

You could try doing it in stages, or panels. You could sand down the body panels that are relatively straight and need little "special" attention and then have a buddy, or a shop if a buddy can't be found, do some smoothing and welding work on the panels that need more attention.
Then do as much as you can to the rest of it. It might be worth the time and money to look for someone who paints and then rent out a paint booth and pay them a few bucks to spray it for ya.

I think I am going to try some of these ideas that I just threw out there because I am a little short on cash too, who isn't. Good luck.

I tried doing my own body work on my old Jeep YJ ( winter beater)
I also painted it in my garage. It was a 20 step paint job...it looks good from 20 steps away. The Jeep was an easy first project due to its lack of contours. After the hard winter up here it is showing signs of my inexperiance. A few rust spots and paint blisters showing up. The main thing is to get rid of all and i mean all the rust. Bondo will not keep it at bay. And of course sand until you can't sand anymore and then sand some more. Over all I enjoyed the experiance and will attempt it again.

Remember there is nothing you can't fix if you screw it up the first time;)

Goog luck

steve

You could always find a local community college with a vocational program that teaches auto-body. A couple of semesters there (most have evening classes) will teach you the basics if you don't have anybody who can teach you the basics. After you get started you'll pick up the rest.
Robert

When you have more time than money, it's the only way to do it! :D Been living that way all my life. ;)

I needed one of my cars painted but couldn't afford to have it done....bought a sprayer and since then, probably painted about 11 vehicles.

Needed some patch panels welded in on my truck but couldn't find anyone to do the work...so, I bought a cheap wire feed welder and did it myself!

Im self taught on just about everything I do. As long as you have a strong enough interest, you'll get the hang of it. But remember, no/little interest will result in poor quality work.

Spend as much time as needed and do the best body work you possibly can before you paint because paint will only hide it for so long before it "pops" back out. Do it correctly, and there should be no problems.

Don't expect miracles right off the bat either. All aspects of body work is learned by doing. Reading books helps but hands on is the real teacher.

Have I scared you away yet? :D

If you really look at it, you can buy new panels from ece or goodmark new and primed for about the same cost as you would pay a body shop to fix, prime and wet sand you old ones. So if you really screw up, buy a new replacement.

good luck

david

If you have the time I'm sure you can learn it. Best advice is to buy another truck or car to practice on, you can find a truck for 500 bucks or less to practice on. A relatively small investment for the money you will save in the long run.

If you have the time do it yourself. It will save you a whole bunch of money and you'll get some satisfaction knowing you did it. Besides, who knows... you might really enjoy it! :D

This is what I am doing. I should start next semester. I need to get my girl's 71 ready for paint. I will probally have someone else paint it. Body work is the fun part. :D

Well it looks like I need to fire up a welder and see if I remember how to weld!:D

Thanks for the input!

I guess the bottom line is, krue,...if your not happy with it when your done, you can do it again, or then pay some one!! Myself, I've tried body work, and I just don't have the patience for the pickiness of sanding filler to make it look right. I have to pay some one to do it, but then, if I'm not happy...they redo it, not me!! Have fun, tho, and be sure to post progress pics!!

Yeah Krue...Fire that dude up. You and I can see what we can burn holes in together. Then we can patch up the mess we made. :D :D

I would try and find a junk fender or 2, and pratice on them. Then once you get the hang of it, take your new found talent to your truck. :D

I agree with Roberty. See if a local Community College has a body work class. Even if you had to take a few classes, it should be cheaper than paying someone else. I have had 3 different shops work on my truck in the past and I got bad work from all 3. My friend and I have a new motto, "we are no worse than the next guy." So unless you are going to do the show only thing, try to do it yourself.