.If your paint is cracking, the entire area will need to be stripped. It's possible to limit the area to be stripped, but I really don't recommend it. A new paint job will only be as good as what it's on.

Sorry it took me so long to post up. I've been away. You guy's have pretty much dittoed what I'm doing. I have quite a few spider cracks, and am sanding the whole area down to the glass. The damaged area will be done with Dura-Glass. The cracks (as Dave noted) will be ground out with die grinder so filler can grab. We will probably use Gelcoat in these areas. I'm not sure yet. Its really good to read you guy's advise on this project. I couldn't do this without you. Thanks, Terry

Please keep posting.  I will be painting mine in several years and would at least like to do the prep work myself.  This thread is a great resourse.  Actually I think alot of us are watching the thread for advice.  Thanks

[QUOTE=greypoupon69][QUOTE=timgman]"I bought it white... and wish it were blue still ;P but that gold... and I'll simply call it "gold" is killer... hehehe [/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]

Well <i'll be honest.. he's repairing the spider cracks... as far as how?
I have no Idea.. but I do know that he needs to srip all the paint off and add "endurafles" agent to it so it'll not happen again ;)

Actually the spiders I'm refering to are not into the glass, just in the original paint. That's where I'm taking it down to the glass. As far as stress cracks ie. at fenders, I will grind a valley and fill with some type of glass repair. I may even lay a glass mesh on the back side for strength. I am getting some help from a pro. I will keep you posted. Terry

Terry, what paint are you going to be using? Just incase I fall into some money and decide to repaint my car.

My painter want's to use Sherwin Williams base coat clear coat.

It looks like my car????    That's not true, it still has some paint!

Man, brings back some real fresh memories. It's a good thing you have her up off the floor a bit. Man, your back really gets it if you don't.

I used three types of sanders on my 76, four if you count the hand sanding LOL.   I used the air sander orbital like in the preceding photo. I also used a vibrating padded electric sander and finally a DA with some very low air settings. That was a fine little machine for the finish work. Of course the block work I did all by hand.

There a lots of small places that you can't use a tool on other than your hand so be prepaired for some sore fingers. It's a lot of work but, well worth it in the end.

I mostly used 80 and 60 grit self adhiesive disks which I bought at my local painters supply store in roles of 75 at a time for cost savings. Yes, I do have some left LOL. But, I had 5 coats of paint to get through.
I used 320 and then finally 480 grit for the blocking and finishing when the primer was all on.

I also had body panels to replace and some support structure to repair. I don't have lots of pics but, some if anyone needs. I replaced the total right front fender, upper hood surround and the nose.


Good luck !

Well phase one sanding is pretty much done. Next will come the body filler. She's pretty busted up in the rear panel. She was hit in the rear before I got her, and whoever did the body work used bondo. We will be digging it out and filling it with Duraglass. Also I want to do some welding repair on the frame. The only place she's rust through is back by the trailer arm. We're going to weld a plate back there and then paint the frame. I'll keep you posted. Terry