Ep 18. Do-It-Yourself Paint and Body!

In this episode of Roadkill Garage, hosts David Freiburger and Steve Dulcich set out to tackle a daunting task: paint and bodywork on a 1971 Dodge Demon. The car had been previously painted poorly, with a shiny finish that looked like it had been applied with a roller. The hosts were determined to give the car a proper paint job, but at the same time, they wanted to do it all themselves.

The episode begins with David and Steve assessing the condition of the Demon's current paint job. They note that there are a lot of imperfections and that the old paint will have to be removed before they can start painting the car. They decide to use a combination of sanding and chemical stripping to remove the old paint. David gets to work on sanding the car while Steve tests out different chemical strippers. Ultimately, they decide to go with a product called "Aircraft Stripper," which turns out to be incredibly effective at removing the old paint.

Once the old paint is removed, the hosts turn their attention to the bodywork. There are a number of dents and dings that need to be fixed, as well as some rust spots that need to be treated. David and Steve demonstrate a number of techniques for repairing body damage, including using a hammer and dolly to flatten dents and using fiberglass and bondo to fill in holes. They even go so far as to demonstrate how to weld in replacement panels for badly damaged sections of the car.

With the bodywork complete, it's time to move on to prepping the car for paint. David and Steve explain the importance of proper surface preparation to ensure that the new paint job will be smooth and long-lasting. They show how to sand the car to create a perfect surface, clean the car to remove any dirt or contaminants, and mask the car to protect areas that won't be painted.

Finally, it's time to start painting. David and Steve walk through the entire process of painting a car, from mixing the paint to spraying it on to creating a perfect gloss finish. They even show how to use a wet sanding technique to smooth out any imperfections in the paint.

Throughout the episode, David and Steve are constantly offering tips and tricks for DIY paint and bodywork. Whether it's how to handle a tricky weld or how to choose the right paint products, they share their expertise in a way that's easy to understand and follow. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a wealth of knowledge and confidence to tackle their own paint and bodywork projects.

Overall, this episode of Roadkill Garage is a must-watch for anyone who's interested in DIY car repair or wants to learn more about paint and bodywork. David and Steve are engaging hosts who make the complex process of painting a car accessible and fun. Whether you're a seasoned gearhead or a novice DIYer, there's something to be learned from this entertaining and informative episode.