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Every
thing you need to do your own body work and paint job on your Mustang.
I have wanted to do my own body work on an old Mustang for some time
now. I've done some poking around on the net trying to find out what
tools I needed to get the job done. Listed below you will find
everything you need to do the job. This is a basic must haves list, I'm
sure a professional painter might add to the list here or there, but
this list will get you well on your way to producing a show quality
pony.
 We
will start with body prep side of things first. Tool List
- FILES
Metal file sets will come in handy for many jobs, such as reaming holes,
metal finishing body panels, and detailing your fit and finish.
- SANDING BLOCKS
Sanding blocks are needed to help shape the body. Different
size blocks are used, small blocks can control and re-form contours,
and long, flat blocks can handle the car's flat panels. Buying
sanding blocks is one of the most important tools in the process and
one of the most difficult to master. It will take some time to
master it, but it will make the difference between a Maaco looking
job and a Foose paint job.
- D/A SANDER
A D/A sander is another "must have". D/A sanders can be used for
stripping paint from panels and finish surfaces. re is the key.
Electric D/A sanders are available as well, but are not as
versatile, especially when wet sanding! Most people choose air
driven units over electric for the ability to use them over a
longer peroid of time and paint dust does not cause as many ill
effects on the tool.
- CUTOFF TOOL
Cut off tools can be used for cutting away rusted out
panels, removing sections of frame and reshaping new panels
for hanging. These can also be found in electric or air
powered. All though the electric units are ok to use, air
units really turn out the rpm's, which can cut down on the
cut time.
- ANGLE GRINDER
Angle grinders can be used for prepping metal,
polishing, rust removal, and buffing. The help to get
into those tough to reach areas. Multiple discs, blades,
buffers can be bought to outfit this tool.
- AIR COMPRESSOR
Air compressor is the meat and potatoes of the
operation. You air (pneumatic) tools and sprayers
will need to be powered continuously with air.
Choosing the a big enough compressor is key! The
tools you have chosen will need to work properly and
efficiently to give you the finished product you
want and deserve. You want a decent compressor that
will not starve your paint guns and sanders. Usually
a 60 gallon is the smallest you really want to use
for painting, all though it is still possible to use
a smaller compressor, you will just need to be very
patient.
- SLIDE HAMMER/SHAPING HAMMERS/VISE GRIPS
Slide hammers can be used to shape metal. Vise
Grips can be used to hold body panels in place
for fitting, welding and reshaping edges of
panels. An assortment of body hammers are used
to bring out dents, forming body lines as well
as massaging tough spots.
- STUD WELDER
A stud welder is used to pull out dents. you
weld pins to the metal, then you use the
slide puller to pull the dent out. Once the
metal has been pulled out to match the
surrounding surface, the pins can be cut
using your cut off tool.
- MIG WELDER
A Mig (Midi Inert Gas) welder is a must
have if you plan on doing panel
replacement. The mig welder is used to
hang your new panels and fill in small
rust holes. You can get them in 110v
models, but 220v is recommended for deep
penetration and better welds.
- AIR CLEANER/DRYER
An air dryer is used to clean and
remove moisture from the line. In
short, it will make your paint
spraying a lot easier. Water in the
lines can mess up your paint and
ruin your tools. you want it out of
there!
- SPRAY GUNS
Primer, Paint and Clear guns
will need to be of good quality.
I do not recommend a one size
fits all approach. You will need
2 to 3 different guns depending
on if you decide to use a base
coat / clear coat paint or a
lacquer finish. HVLP guns are
the most widley used guns on the
market today for their efficient
use. Do your research, you will
want to match your guns to your
air compressor. The use of an
air regulator will most likely
be needed.
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