There’s nothing worse than seeing rust start to bubble through your paint after you’ve repaired a panel. It’s a sure sign that moisture has gotten into work zone. And that begs the question – does body filler absorb moisture? To help answer that question, Eastwood’s senior product manager Mark tested […]
Auto Body
How to Apply Seam Sealer for a Factory Appearance
Attention to detail is key when it comes to a quality restoration, and one often-overlooked aspect is the application of seam sealer. This essential compound not only seals gaps and joints but also ensures a seamless transition between panels. Depending on the vehicle you’re restoring, its seam sealer may have […]
When to Use Epoxy Primer on Your Project
There can be a lot of confusion around primers when it comes to painting a vehicle. Do I start with self-etch, urethane, or polyester? What do terms like DTM or 2K mean? Can I spray primer on top of existing paint or do I have to get to bare metal? […]
How to Avoid Blow-through When MIG Welding Sheet Metal
The quest for seamless body repairs eludes many DIYers when they face the menace of welder blow-through. The problem occurs when a weld penetrates completely through the material, either leaving a hole or enlarging the weld area. This is a common issue, especially when welding thin materials like patch panels […]
How To Replicate Factory Spot Welds With Your MIG Welder
We often say restoring a vehicle involves more than just taking it apart and putting it back together. A true restoration often requires meticulous attention to detail. Replicating the appearance of factory spot welds when replacing body panels is one such detail. But what if you don’t have a proper […]
Selecting the Right SCT Drums for Your Project
One of the most versatile tools we’ve ever developed for your shop is the Eastwood Countour SCT surface conditioning tool. If, you’re not already familiar with it, the patented Contour SCT is a hand-held drum-type sander/stripper/polisher. Instead of traditional rotating discs or pads, it uses a variety of task-specific 4-inch […]
Are You Using Glazing Putty Correctly?
In the pursuit of paint perfection, every surface flaw must be tackled before the first fog of basecoat ever leaves the spray gun. Among the tools in your arsenal, glazing putty takes center stage for its ability to provide precision and detail. While other fillers excel at bulk filling and […]
The One Tool I Wish I Had When I Painted My Car at Home
It’s been about 15 years since I did my first at-home paint job. And I’m still hearing all about it. Probably because I primed and painted the car in the attached garage that backed up to our family room. Every once in a while, my wife catches a whiff of […]
MIG or TIG – Which is Better for Welding Sheet Metal Patch Panels?
Patch panel repairs are one of the most common welding tasks you might encounter when restoring old vehicles. The question often comes up about which method is better for the task – MIG (Metal Inert Gas) or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas). The short answer is that MIG welding and TIG […]