1965 Mustang Restoration Part 5

In the 1965 Mustang Restoration Part 5, we look at how to put the finishing touches on quarter panels, tail light panels and other sheet metal parts.


There a number of cheap solutions to doing your own body work and achieving a professional result.

Professional Mustang Restoration Work

Technique, however is something we can learn to do well at no cost other than time.















In the two pictures above, you'll see some examples.

The top picture shows how, using a quick spray of black paint, or "guide coat" paint, helps you to find low spots and make sure that body lines are straight.

Light sanding of the guide coat reveals the body filler or primer below. Any remaining black, tells you that this area is still low and needs to be filled a bit more.

An All Steel Car ?

While some restoration "experts" will try to tell you that they use no "bondo" or other fillers, the truth is quite different.

The pro's and most honest restoration experts will tell you that even new body panels are not perfect. Making all the edges line up perfectly and getting the panels glass smooth, usually takes more than a shot of high build primer.

In fact, applying a light skim coat using a thin body filler such as Evercoat Rage like I've done here, helps ensure a nice result in a very short time.


























Using a good quality light filler, makes applying a very thin coat easy and the better stuff sands much easier.

Using a light touch and finer grade sandpaper with your long board hand sander, quickly removes the excess filler and removes the very fine low spots ( see the light yellow/green areas) that would otherwise show in your final paint.

For those last small pin holes or scratches, it's time for "icing", an even finer, almost liquid glaze filler.

One of the easiest to use that I've tried, is Evercoat's flexible polyester Glaze Putty, which is in a cool little container (ok not that little, it's 30 ounces), and allows you to squeeze out just the right amount.

I've also tried some of the old style lacquer glaze putty in both tubes and in a can, but have had more than my share of problems with flaking, chipping and drying out in the container.

Better Body Work Supplies Save You Time

However, as I've learned, "wasting perfectly good sandpaper" and replacing it as soon as it seems the results are slowing down is a big time saver that costs very little.

And better quality body filler sands better, faster and clogs sandpaper less than bargain materials.

Because, while I enjoy working on my 1965 Mustang Restoration, I'm much more interested in driving it.

Next Up: Final prep and panel alignment.

Restoration Sections Quick Reference