A brief return of summerlike weather arrived late last week, so I took advantage of temperatures in the 70s and 80's to accomplish some body work in preparation for priming and painting. The doors had already been primed with etching primer, but the fenders were still in need of body filler and spot putty. Everything went quite well, so I was able to finish the driver's side fender and apply a coat of etching primer.
The passenger side fender still needs some Bondo and putty work, but I did get the bare metal sanded, treated with rust killer, and a coat of etching primer applied. One more nice day, and except for the hood I should have the remaining sheet metal ready for high-build primer. It won't take much sanding on the doors and the driver's side fender, but there is pitting on the one fender so it will probably need multiple coats of primer and quite a bit of sanding. At least I should have the rest of the front half sheet metal ready for painting by the time it gets nice and warm in late April or May.
Since the car has become too heavy for me to move it in and out of the garage alone, I'll see if I can set up a temporary paint booth inside. It shouldn't be a problem making an enclosure by draping plastic, but I'll have to see what I can do about ventilation. If we get a couple of windless mornings that are warm enough to paint, I can make a three-sided enclosure and leave the door-side open, but even without the usual spring storms, days are often windy here on the North Texas prairie. I always try to paint before 9:00 am. I hope I can complete painting the exterior this spring so I can install the door glass and work on the interior. That's the type of work I really enjoy.
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