Help From The Pros!!!, PLEASE........

I just purchsed a 1966 Chevy Caprice and want to restore it. It is my first "classic" and I want to make it look sweet!

Anyways, the body has some rust, mainly around the wheel wells and ect. What is the best way to do the work? Take the entire car down to the metal? What all materials would I need to get to ensure a smoothly prep'd body before priming? Cause either way it's getting a custom paint job!

Also, the vinyl top is bubbling and needs to be fixed. How is this done? What type of price would I be looking at? Or, is there a way to just loose the vinyl all together?

Last but not least, I want to know what all items that are needed to paint a car. The cheap but effective way if you know what I mean, lol! I can get a small compressor and buy a gun, but what all else do I need?

I apologize for all of the questions at once but I'm new to the forums and anxious to get out there and get to work. Besides, this way I saved creating 3 threads, lol! If you could be as descriptive as possible when answering the questions I would REALLY appreciate it!

Chris

Ok, heres what i suggest. For the rust, take it down to the metal. If you try and leave anything, it will just come back. Depending on how bad the rust is depends on how much you have to pull. From what it sounds like, i would do all the fenders off from the vehicle. then blast the inner wells, and prime/spray accordingly. As for your vinyl roof, you can un-attach your roof, remove the rust, level it out and glue(literally) it back on and not one would be the wiser. However, if you want to remove it, it can be done. The best method ive found is to roll it off as one piece if you can get away with it. Then get some glue-remover, seal any holes/drill spots, and paint as needed. As for painting, you need a gun, a Good compressor and a clean area. Also, a Air Mask is a must. Nothing worse then breathing paint fumes.

Thanks a lot man. Ok, so what size compressor do I need? And what type/style of gun should I look for?

Your first purchase should be a book on Autobody repair. Read it from cover to cover. Then buy a book on Vinyl top repair- should be in the same rack at the book store as the other one- and read it from cover to cover. THEN and only then should you consider buying tools to do this job.
Good Luck- & READ !!

hambiskit is right on! Even better than a book would be an autobody course at your local community college or tech school. Quality auto body work takes time to learn, if it was easy the body shops would not have people lined up to $50-70 per hour to have thier cars repaired. The college course will be an enjoyable experience and you will learn the answers to all your question that would be impossible to answer well here.

Not trying to brush you off, just hoping to point you in a good direction

Pat