In the near future I am probably going to get my car repainted, the oem paint has past its prime and I am thinking of getting a body kit.

The place where I am getting it painted is not much into body work, at least not very good work. So here is my question: Is simple patch work something a newbie to body repair can do given that I am pretty handy and willing to take my time? I want to remove my rear wiper and patch that hole but bave no clue where to start with patching a hole like that...

Thanks!

 

That's a good starter hole. Just get a good piece of sheet metal and cut it the same diameter as the hole. Grind the inside of the hole and the outside just a bit. Grind one side of the patch metal. Use a magnet to hole the patch hole in place and put one tack weld anywhere that the pieces meet. Let it cool and put another tack weld on the opposite side of the first. Just keep putting tack welds around until it's all welded up, but be sure to let it cool down after every weld. When you get it all welded in grind the welds smooth. Be sure to get the welds just down enough that filler will cover it. Take breaks, since grinding the welds for an extended amount of time can warp the metal. When it's ground down sand a pretty decent area around the hole with 36 grit, probably a 4"x6" section. After that spread a layer of lightweight body filler, I recommend Evercoat Z-grip. Next use a medium length block to sand it down smooth with 36 grit. Move the block in long strokes, as to not get any dips. Spread a thin layer of glaze over any sanded area. When it cures sand it down with 80 grit and a medium block. Make sure you can't see any shiny paint at the edge of the glaze, since this would mean it has a lip on it. Next sand a big surrounding area with 400. When you get it sanded smooth primer it with some high build primer making sure to go just a little bit past the edge of the 80 grit marks. Let it cure for 3 hours and sand it down with some 220. Resand the entire area sanded with 400 with 400 again. Reprimer the area a little pit past the 220 marks and let it cure for 3 hours. When that's done the entire hatch can be sanded with 400. That's pretty much getting it to the part where it can be painted. Take into consideration most body shops won't paint over a worked area, unless they did the bodywork.

 

"The place where I am getting it painted is not much into body work, at least not very good work. " Right her is where you should stop...If they're work is not very good WHY THE F WOULD YOU EVEN LET THEM TOUCH YOUR CAR??? Find a repuitable shop that does good work. Don't try to save a few bucs by going el cheapo. Do it right the first time. Just my 2c

 

I think he means they do good paint work, but not good body work. There's a difference.

 

Paint wise they are THE people I want to go to. Body-wise they have NO experience with ANY kind of custom body work and EXTREMELY limited experience with even colision repair.

Welding eh? Bit over my head there. I thought it was fiberglass, oh well thanks for the info!

 

Here's a link that will help you out a lot...https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-and-interior/90950-plug-for-rear-wiper-hole.html Also...contact Spiralfunk over at motoring he sells the painted plugs to match your Z!

 

Thanks for the tip, but I've seen the plug before. Just wanted to try for something a bit more one-off and flowing.

 

hey bro,
I have the patch, and honestly, at a glance you can't tell. And it's always reversible.