Currently working on a fiberglass bodied dune buggy. Other than the original gel coat, the body has been painted once around 2016. That paint consisted of a layer of primer (definitely not a high build) and a base color + Clear coat. I've started the bodywork, correcting the previous repairs that used a regular body filler rather than actually repairing fiberglass and using a body filler made for fiberglass. The areas that need repair get taken down all the way to bare fiberglass. My question is how far down to I need to sand the other areas. I know that there's no way to see all of the potential problems without removing the latest respray, but can I stop at the original gel coat layer or do I need to strip EVERYTHING down to the bare fiberglass? My original thought was that I'd take it down to the gel coat, cover with an epoxy primer and follow that a high build primer to block it? While I don't want to waste time sanding if it isn't needed, it would be way worse to waste the sanding time, the materials cost, AND additional time to re sand because of a skipped step that causes an issue. Any guidance greatly appreciated.

I have a customer who wants me to redo this paint job but instead of orange he wants a candy red to gold fade. I know when spraying a candy you have to walk the whole vehicle for even orientation horizontally. My initial thought was to do the “wrist flick method” vertically but I was wondering if that would ruining the orientation horizontally? I hope I’m making sense lol but please help!

Aaron, Wanted to share pics and extend many thanks for your help and advice on all the processes!! Thank you for all you do!! I finished spraying the 65 Mustang on Saturday!! As you may recall, it’s Sherwin William’s “Ford Poppy Red” base and their DC5020 clear. Spraying the clear was tricky with the back to back “wet on wet” coats with no flash time - per the TDS. I’m letting it cure, and will begin the cut and buff process this upcoming weekend. I had some dust that settled on the clear and two small runs (wet on wet clear was tricky to spray - finished a panel and then resprayed the same panel again). Next project is the Mini-Bus in “Hawaiian purple pearl”. Will be diving into it as soon as this one is reassembled. Thanks again!! Talk to you on Saturday!! Bill

This is a mini hood that I got at an airbrush workshop several years ago. it's an aluminum panel stamped into a hood shape but it's about half size. Think the actual width is 28" or so. Mainly did this panel to keep me motivated while I slog through the body work and mechanical issues on a build I'm doing for the wife - A fiberglass bodied dune buggy. Wanted to see if I liked the main blue color (and I do). The base is Tamco's slick silver coarse metallic silver. The darker blue is Tamco' SoCal Candy. The lighter tealish blue is Tamco Monaco candy. This hasn't been cleared yet and it may never get that far- I'm gonna experiment a bit with some interference pearls in hopes of a ghost effect of flowing water. - Anyway, I thought I'd share. Apologies for the crap photo.

I’ve always worked in high volume shop, so I do my best to be efficient. This was my solution for addressing any finish Issues. I intended it to be as mobile as possible with the need for airlines or extension cords so all my polishers and sanders are battery operated. I was hoping to see anyone else’s to see if I’m missing some great ideas.