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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair - Bodywork Basics, Part 3

1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Adding Work Body Filler
Generally, work body filler... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Adding Work Body Filler
Generally, work body filler (or even fiberglass) down in grit succession. In other words, start rough with 36-grit to knock down initially, then gradually work finer (80, 120, and so on) to avoid sanding too much or leave sanding marks.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Sanded Bed Spine
Once you get fairly close,... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Sanded Bed Spine
Once you get fairly close, STOP! It can't be stressed enough how important it is not to sand too much. At this point, the bedside's spine will be left alone, while other areas are focused on.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Taillight Gap
With the taillight remounted... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Taillight Gap
With the taillight remounted for the umpteenth time, a straightedge shows the variance between the quarter-panel and the exterior of the light's bezel-about a 3/16-inch gap, which needs to be addressed.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Filling Gap With Polyester Body Filler
To compensate, Butch and Kelsey... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Filling Gap With Polyester Body Filler
To compensate, Butch and Kelsey will bridge the gap with polyester body filler. At first, most people make too large of a batch and often slap too much material on, all in all creating more waste than usable filler. Practice will perfect the batch making process.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Masking Area For Body Filler
Anywhere you don't want the... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Masking Area For Body Filler
Anywhere you don't want the body filler, make sure you cover appropriately (with masking tape). That includes going over body lines, as you see Butch has separated the upper and lower sections of the bed.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Removing Extra Body Filler
Once the filler has just started... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Removing Extra Body Filler
Once the filler has just started to set up (harden), quickly knock down the high excess material, but don't wait too long, as fully hardened filler is a lot "harder" to sand down, if you catch our drift. On the initial spread, you'll probably have a low spot or two, as shown here-just add more.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Adding Second Body Filler Coat
It's not necessary for the... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Adding Second Body Filler Coat
It's not necessary for the first layer of filler to fully cure before adding another. As mentioned earlier, though, you will notice a huge difference in both application and workability between cheap body filler and name-brand lightweight filler.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Using Stir Stick For A Sanding Block
A good trick for sanding is... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Using Stir Stick For A Sanding Block
A good trick for sanding is to use a paint stir stick (free at most paint supply stores) as a sanding block.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Using Adhesive Sanding Paper
Using adhesive-backed paper,... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Using Adhesive Sanding Paper
Using adhesive-backed paper, Butch makes good use of his free stir sticks! Notice above the way the different colored areas fade or blend into each other-that's called "feather edging."
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Checking Level Of Tailgate
The same stir stick used for... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Checking Level Of Tailgate
The same stir stick used for sanding shows how flush the taillight bezel will now set, thanks to some deserved attention given to the back end of the bedside.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Masked Area
Once the sides of the bed... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Masked Area
Once the sides of the bed were knocked out, the taillight mounting surface itself needed a little leveling as well.
1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Checking Straight Edge
Lengthwise, the panel is definitely... 
   
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1955 Chevy Cameo Auto Body Repair Checking Straight Edge
Lengthwise, the panel is definitely shaping up nicely, but despite what the straightedge shows here, there's still more work to be done.

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