What to use to smooth out imperfections made by sanding - body filler or filler primer?

[icapture]

Hey guys. Ive sanded down my Z preparing it for paint. I am looking to make the body as straight and smooth as possible. The car has had a ton of paint jobs. I think I counted 8 different colors on the car not including all the primer layers. Where there was rock chips or cracks in the paint I sanded all the way to the sheet metal. So when I run my hand over these little divots I can feel a slight inconsistency. So I was wondering, should I be covering the entire car with a very thin layer of body filler then use a sanding block to sand most of the filler off? Or should I spray a few layers of filler primer over the entire car and then block it?

[e_racer1999]

I personally would use a body filler (this is actually what it's intended for) then use a high build primer. Sanding in between, of course.

[hoov100]

Also, don't cover the entire area in filler, just fill it in and smooth it out.

[spork]

If there is really 8 layers of paint plus primer, you'll have a hell of a dip if you're all the way to bare metal. Primer isn't going to fill these too well. You're talking 16-24 coats of paint or even more if any of them were base clear paint jobs. For the rock chips, you may be better off filling them without taking it down to bare metal (incase you haven't already done the whole car). Any cracks need to be taken all the way, but chips don't (unless it's actually peeling paint).

[PR280z]

I agree with spork, just sand the edges of the chip no need to take down to the metal, fill with filler,sand smooth, sand the whole fender or what ever part with 100/180 grit,spray filler primer,sand smooth,spray sealer primer,sand smooth, ready for top coat plus clear.

[240zwannabe]

I personally took my entire car down to bare metal. You'll find a lot of things that will eventually become larger problems down the road. Buy a pneumatic file board for sure if this is the route you choose to take. It will make your life 100x easier when it comes time to sand primer. Like stated before a high-build primer is a very good choice for either way you decide to go. It will help you out with small imperfections in body work.

[junglist]

For just surface chips and small areas get some glazing putty. Here are a few different ones:

 

http://www.eastwood.com/eurosoft-glazing-putty-1-25.html

http://www.eastwood.com/metal-glaze-30oz-pump-bottle.html

http://www.eastwood.com/usc-pro-glaze-finishing-putty-24oz-tube.html

http://www.eastwood.com/usc-icing-24-oz-tube.html

 

 

Personally I like the Evercoat products, I have the Evercoat Metal Glaze and the Eurosoft putty and they both sand easily. Your local body shop supply place should stock/sell this stuff and you can always ask the guy at the counter what he recommends.

[Nelsonian]

I personally took my entire car down to bare metal. You'll find a lot of things that will eventually become larger problems down the road.

 

 

I completely agree with you on this. If it is financially posible, by all means go this route.