Scratch Builds: Bodywork 101: Part One

Discussion in 'Tutorials and How Tos' started by Wikkid, Mar 13, 2011.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Wikkid

    Wikkid Completely retired customizer

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Posts:
    1,756
    Trophy Points:
    267
    Likes:
    +233
    Part 1: Creating Contors:

    Begin by gluing styrene or whatever substrate you plan on using to the project. Shown here is styrene panel bonded to Masterpiece Starscream’s hip junk. This will become a rear quarter panel for a MP Hot Rod project:

    [​IMG]


    The factory part already had a flow that suited this project but needed to be widened and curved in specific areas. I begin by putting down a piece of 80 grit sticky back sandpaper to my desk top. I then sand the area down in a rocking motion to achieve a gradual curve. It's important to use long strokes and be sure not to press hard. Let the grit do the cutting:

    [​IMG]


    I use the same technique on the other side of the panel:

    [​IMG]


    Now, to cover the whole thing in filler:

    [​IMG]


    Follow the same technique as before and round your panel out to your liking. Do not sand it all off; we're trying to create a larger, rounded body panel:

    [​IMG]


    [The] side panel gets the same treatment. On this side, I rounded the lower quarter to curve inwards towards the rocker panels:

    [​IMG]


    Wrapping a piece of sandpaper around my finger, I . . . .

    [​IMG]


    . . . . notch out a combination crown in the forward section of the quarter panel. This then needs to be worked into the other high crowns by sanding the curves lightly:

    [​IMG]

    The panel takes shape as so. I'll need to go in a put a quick skiff on the dark red area which is a low area then sand it out:

    [​IMG]


    Always be sure to test fit your parts:

    [​IMG]



    Part 2: Filling and Tightening Gaps Around Moving Parts:

    I begin by filling the 90 degree angle in the fender wedge. This is done to eliminate the joint line and create a seamless flow between the two panels:

    [​IMG]


    After sanding the whole area for the sake of adhesion, I fill over everything end to end:

    [​IMG]


    After sanding out the fender in the same way I did the quarters earlier, I fold a piece of sandpaper and finish the inner fender to hood edge:

    [​IMG]


    The finished product here is the hood flowing directly into the fender and the fender into the bumper. I also re-arched the wheel well:

    [​IMG]


    Using a razor knife, I score the edge where the panel is to detach. Do not cut too deep or you'll end up with wide gaps again:

    [​IMG]


    The panel should just pop off clean if the prep work was done right and the product is sound:

    [​IMG]


    Part 3: Fixing Mistakes:


    On this project, I went and installed a matrix bay within the hood/chest. This was all done without the actual matrix in place, so once I cut the opening and installed the hinges and matrix, it pushed the panels outward. I'm way too lazy to start over on this after all the work, so I cheated by raising the rest of the panels to align:

    [​IMG]


    After prep-sanding everything, once again we apply filler to the entire area:

    [​IMG]


    Using the earlier techniques of long strokes and a gradual curve, the panel is sanded to fit again:

    [​IMG]


    Now we score the outer edge once again:

    [​IMG]


    There's the church and there's the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people:

    [​IMG]


    Then close it up to see how well everything fits. If the alignment problem remains, fill again until everything sits true:

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 15, 2013
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.