Paint Prep. HELP

[95civic_h22a]

Ok, I am looking to prep my ride before taking it to the paint shop to save money. I re-sprayed my buke after fucking up the paint and it turned out really nice. I used 600 on up sandpaper then primer to fill in any little dings and sprayed, sanded, sprayed, clearcoated. This turned out great for a bike and it being not a huge surface. For my car though there is a lot more concern. As I am sure most of you would agree. The ride is the owners baby. I really would like to hear all of your inputs on this. Anything would help. I read that if you take off the lights, moldings etc... that saves a lot right there alone. Oh and one last thing, to shave the moldings what would be the best thing to use to fill the gap? Thanks in advanse for any advise.

[95civic_h22a]

2 days now and no help by any of you? No one knows how to prep a car?

[foxxof]

never done one sorry

[95civic_h22a]

It's cool. I haven't either just a lot of spray paint jobs. Thanks anyway?

[STIBungy]

I havent done any side molding or door handle shaving but I've prepped my own car for painting before. I pretty much stripped off any body part that can come off: door moldings, window trims, corner lights, tail lights, etc. Then bought lots of scotchpads and scuffed down the clear coat throughout the car. Dont leave any shiny spots in the paint as the paint will chip there later down the road. I had a friend of mine primer it. I let it sit for a week and then sanded it down with 1000+ grit and puttied some of the imperfections before painting it.

[95civic_h22a]

That sounds easy enough. So, you didn't sand it all the way down? Just through the clearcoat? What grit paper did you use? How long did it take you?

[STIBungy]

Yeah, it was going to a quick and cheap paintjob. The car isnt show worthy anyways.

There wasnt any need to sand it all the way down(see above). The whole point was to get rid of any shiny spots on the body so that the primer would stick better. I cant remember for sure which grit I used since it's been about 5 years since I did it. It was either 1000 or 1200 wetsanded.

That sounds easy enough. So, you didn't sand it all the way down? Just through the clearcoat? What grit paper did you use? How long did it take you?

[95civic_h22a]

ok thats cool thanks for the help anyway.