57 Chevy Project: Body prep/primer/filler

Good Morning!:

This is the first time I have attempted to do body repair. I am fortunate to have backup resources here that will review my work as I go along but since I posted here when I first started the car, I wanted to keep using this forum. The help provided so far has worked and has proven to be a great value.

This car has several areas on the roof that need repair. Nothing will be cut and replaced. Evercoat is the initial choice for filling low places. My first effort is to deal with the roof. I simply has the fewest problems.

The rod shop helping me has shown me how to use a guide coat, feel and locate low areas, filler application and so on. From this I am attempting to work on the roof started with 80 grit. I am using fairly long sanding blocks on roof center area and smaller blocks on the roof curved sides. Not sure how to sand the area inside the drop rail though. Making my own sanding block that will fit between the rail and the roof seems logical.

All seems to be going well.

The shop I am working with to build this car uses Z-Chrome. They believe it is the ideal primer. It goes on fairly thick, fills and sands well. From what I have read on the net, their claims seem to be supported.

The plan is that when I complete what I can handle with the Evercoat they will shoot the car in Z-Chrome and finish the surface.

Here is my question:

Is a product like Z-Chrome a good choice?

If my own work continues to come out to acceptable standards, why can’t I do the balance of the car and skip the Z-Chrome?

If you use a produce like Z-Chrome (a thick product), will it cause problems when reattaching peaces such as those rear window clamps?

Just so you will know, Both full rear quarter panels, door skins, and tail pan are being replaced with new Danchuk parts. The rod shop is doing the cutting and mounting.

I say this only so that you will know that except for the roof, my work will be on new metal. Hopefully, this will make it easier for a beginner.

The original pieces had suffered from rust and some “creative” engineering to widen the rear finder wells. I think it was a baseball bat.

Hope everyone is having a good day! Thanks in advance for any replies.

Don Copeland
Texas