How to sharpen body lines????

[SUPERSTAR14]

Hi all,
The center body line on my AMD quarters look horrible...... Are there any tricks or procedures to sharpen the lines and put them back straight? I have a few ideas on how to do this but I thought I would ask the group. I did a search and was unable to find anything.
Thanks
-Pat

[Dino]

Several ways to do so but I would have to see it first.  Could you take a few pictures and post them here?

[SUPERSTAR14]

Several ways to do so but I would have to see it first.  Could you take a few pictures and post them here?

I've taken some pics but they don't show the flaws very well. Basically the line is wavy from end to end, not as straight as I think it should be.

-Pat

[72Charger-SE]

Just an idea..

You could put a 3' or 4' straight edge along the body line and then snap a few photos.  That may show some of the 'waviness' you are speaking of?  Also, turn off flash and turn off the lights directly above where you are taking the photo, if possible.

Just my 

[ottawamerc]

I know when my car was done my body guy used 1/2" painters tape as a baseline then used body filler and filled up to it, block sand till you start hitting the tape. Stop there then retape on the top (or bottom) of your line. Remove the original tape and add filler again to the opposite side. Keep repeating untill no low spots and VOILA nice straight lines.

Scott

[sanders7981]

^^^^thats what I did! 

[Indygenerallee]

filler and primer

[Cooter]

Yep. Filler and blocking....lots a blocking...and more blocking.

[hemi-hampton]

I had a guy call me up wanting me to straighten his 1/4 panels a few years ago. Seems he did the body work himself & the 1/4's were extremely wavey, The worst I ever seen. the waves were more in & out then up & down. This was before AMD Days & was probably Sherman partial skins. Really what he needed was these cut off & redone properly. BUT, I tried to save what he had. To do this took lots of bondo & lots of priming & blocking but after it was painted it was straight. Lots of tape was used on bodyline. Some of it can be seen on the door in this pic. LEON.

[richRTSE]

Here are a couple pictures that show the tape method described...

http://forum.eastwood.com/showthread.php?3236-Crisp-straight-body-lines

[1BAD68]

thats how I did mine from front to back

[jaak]

I know when my car was done my body guy used 1/2" painters tape as a baseline then used body filler and filled up to it, block sand till you start hitting the tape. Stop there then retape on the top (or bottom) of your line. Remove the original tape and add filler again to the opposite side. Keep repeating untill no low spots and VOILA nice straight lines.

Scott

This is what I did too! Just to add another tip.... I like to keep both red and blue filler hardener. I use different color hardeners on each side of the body line too, helps give you a good contrast to check your work.

Jason

[cudaken]

I know when my car was done my body guy used 1/2" painters tape as a baseline then used body filler and filled up to it, block sand till you start hitting the tape. Stop there then retape on the top (or bottom) of your line. Remove the original tape and add filler again to the opposite side. Keep repeating untill no low spots and VOILA nice straight lines.

Scott

This is what I did too! Just to add another tip.... I like to keep both red and blue filler hardener. I use different color hardeners on each side of the body line too, helps give you a good contrast to check your work.

Jason

Jason, I wonder where you got that idea from? 

Depending on how much filling needs to be done, I might start with a coat of Metal to Metal (much stronger than plastic filler) then add filler as needed.

Cuda Ken

[ottawamerc]

I know when my car was done my body guy used 1/2" painters tape as a baseline then used body filler and filled up to it, block sand till you start hitting the tape. Stop there then retape on the top (or bottom) of your line. Remove the original tape and add filler again to the opposite side. Keep repeating untill no low spots and VOILA nice straight lines.

Scott

This is what I did too! Just to add another tip.... I like to keep both red and blue filler hardener. I use different color hardeners on each side of the body line too, helps give you a good contrast to check your work.

Jason

Thats a great idea Jason

Scott

[SUPERSTAR14]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll be working on that phase next couple weeks.
-Pat

[Ryan.C]

Here are a couple pictures that show the tape method described...

http://forum.eastwood.com/showthread.php?3236-Crisp-straight-body-lines

tried this last night on a problem area, it worked out great!

[Patronus]

I'll just add that using alternating colors of tape will keep you all lined up when you layer the tape(s). Usually, 4-5 layers works for the first half. As stated, sand till you reach the tape, then tape the other side out with 2-3 layers, sand to tape and viola' ... one crispy '69 charger

[Old Moparz]

Years ago I had heard, or possibly read it, that it was feasible to hammer out the body crease from the back to give it crisper line. It kind of made sense to me, but I don't have any experience with bodywork & don't know, just curious. I would think it could create more problems than you started with.