General body work questions

[cdrewferd]

So my wife owns a cupcake company. They have purchased an old ice cream truck and want to fix it up to start selling cupcakes at farmers markets. I need to sand down and primer the outsideso they can get it wrapped. This shouldn't be a big problem as it won't need to be perfect. Also nice that it'sbasically a big box , so nice straight lines.

My first question is on sanders. I know Ineed a random orbit, but that's about all know.

What sander do you guys recommend? I'll probably start a new thread to track my progress and get more tips along the way.

 

[kmoon]

If you don't have a larger air compressor buy an electric orbit (da) sander Home Depot has good price on this one http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...=10053&langId=-1&keyword=Sander&storeId=10051

 

[socapots]

What's the surface like now? Can't just rough it up and prime? If its getting wrapped why can't they go over what's there?

 

[cdrewferd]

The current surface is fairly rough. Lots of bumps. The guys doing the wrapping said it would be best to sand ans smooth as possible, then put some primer on it. It shouldn't be too bad, just time consuming as there's a lot of surface to take care of.

Good to know that I can get away with a sub $100 sander. That will make the wife happy.

 

[compyello]

If this is your only body work project, I would look into a palm type sander or something you could use for wood projects or what ever your other interests are. If you have a compressor with a good output you could look at a DA sander from harbor freight (they are probably pretty cheap).

 

[Modifieddriver]

I bought one of these a few years ago: http://www.bing.com/shopping/porter...able+sander&lpq=porter cable sander&FORM=HURE

Porter Cable variable speed random orbital sander. This is one of the best NEW tool investments I ever made. I use it for auto body work. I also used this on my house and garage trim to prep for painting.

Most RDA's are pneumatic and the compressor runs wide *** open. This saves the compressor and is more versatile. When this is (if ever) gets toasted, I'll get another.

Can't remember right now if I bought a 5" or 6". Right now it's about 5 miles away, so I can't look at it.

 

[creativecars]

If you are going to sand and prime a real air compressor is necessary. A 6" DA dual action sander is the standard. You will need a box or roll of paper, its cheaper to buy that way than by the piece. I would use 80 grit to knock down the rougher, thicker spots and smooth it out with 180 or 220 and prime over that. Use a catalyzed or urethane primer, they are much stronger than air dry products.

 

[deter]

do you have a vocational school close to you? Let the kids practice on it

 

[ToddGrossman]

Sounds like you want to DIY, but there was a time I drove around to different dealership bodyshops and gave the ole, "Psssst. You do sidework?"

 

[ZRX61]

If you have a compressor with a good output you could look at a DA sander from harbor freight (they are probably pretty cheap).

One of their most useless tools, friend of mine went through 5 of them sanding down a '67 Mustang.