Matthew Taylor's Journal

12-1-14
Well, I can't say I have never beaten on a car with a hammer anymore. Jerry brought over his body tools, and explained how it all works. Several times. With examples. Then more slowly with simpler words....Well, you get the idea. We started on the drivers side quarter panel. Turns out, its not a "rear wing", its a quarter panel. And the one in the front is NOT a quarter panel at all. We have had many a discussion about what a "hood" really is, and I have heard Jerry say "Bonnet" twice so far. So, I can give some too - its a quarter panel. But, unfortunately, it was a bashed in mess of a rear wing - er - quarter panel. Jerry also explained that an inch of body filler is not a good thing, and we need to shape it as close to the correct shape as possible. And, FYI, its not called "Bondo" if it cost $90 a gallon with a discount... So, this lesson was a big one. We shaped the metal. Filled the holes and sanded it flat until we feathered the edges. And repeated, going out farther, until the shape was correct. I was just learning how to "see" with my fingers...and they had a lot to see. I was struggling with getting the highs and lows just right, and allot of filler had to come back off. Jerry repeatedly demonstrated that 20 minutes of his time was much much more productive than several hours of mine. Good thing the body was so dinged up, I had plenty of opportunities to learn how its done. Ya, real good thing....