Body Work/Paint Help NEEDED BAD!

[zach9989]

Hey,
I just made a cardomain.com page for my truck so people can see it: www.cardomain.com/id/korai9989

It is in rough shape. I want to do as much of the body work as I can myself. I know I can buy a quarter panel and used door for fairly cheap.

I am thinking about sanding down the truck and repainting it, probably a black color (Black Sapphire Metallic, maybe).

Here is the thing... I am completely CLUELESS as to what to do in the painting process. I need major help, hints, advice, recommendations, the works. I have a small (very small) bit of rust below the rear door jams on both sides, around the fender basically. How do I solve that problem properly. What paints, coats, thinners, enamels, primers, anything should I use? How should I sand the truck? What should I use to sand it? Paint it?

What do I do... Please help me!

What are the best procedures to take in replacing the door and quarter panel?

All the help you can provide in changing what problems you see in those pictures is more than appreciated, and very much needed. Thanks in advance.

 

[unclemeat]

I painted mine last year and did a complete write up. Do a search on this site the thread was called "old explorer gets new paint". It should answer most of your questions.

 

[MONMIX]

*sigh* No quick easy answer Zach.
A junk yard door will do the trick.
Swaping that is pretty straight forward.

Replacing the quarter should be a new OEM only, and is a pretty involved process.
Too lenghty to to explain here.
You will need to have some reasonalbe MIG welding skills, a decent air compresor, and good body filler skills.

If you want me to walk you through the process I can, but just know if is not a quick easy task, I have done dozens and I am still a day and a half to two days just to roll it over to the paint shop. An amature three days to four. ( a day being eight hours )

 

[zach9989]

Well, I have never done body filling, welding, or any of the other tasks. I found a good used door, one that someone decided to part themselves apparently. I also saw quarter panels for sale on eBay. The complete quarter panel I needed was being sold for $110. I already have a gas door that I picked up from a salvage yard. I would love to get step by step instructions. It will be a little while before I can afford to start fixing on it. I have to get the transmission, which is leaking and slipping, worked out first. Thanks.

 

[MONMIX]

PM me when the time comes and we will see if we can knock it out

 

[zach9989]

I definitely will, I appreciate it alot.
I'll take very regular pictures of my progress in all of my repairs and upgrades. I ripped out the carpet in the very back today to "break it in." Do you know where i can find good replacement carpet for it?