Bodywork Process

[IMPALA MAN]

I need a little help with the bodywork process. I know there are 1000 ways that are used and they probably all work fine, however I need a simple step by step, if that is possible.
I am at the point in the project where body filler is being applied and prepped for paint. The entire car was stripped and epoxy primer applied.
I have questions with pin holes, sanding scratches, etc. If possible can someone tell me the process they use? Something like this:
1. Apply filler
2. Sand with 80 grit to do a first cut.
3. Apply second and third coat of filler, if required
4. Cut with 80 grit
5. Do a final cut with ????
6. Primer with ???? I hear a lot about Slick Sand and the like. Will it fill sanding scratches, pinholes? Should I rely on it to?
The big question I have in this area is how particular do I have to be before I apply a filler primer. I think I am trying to get it perfect before I apply filler primer. For example, I am trying to tape and sand to the body line to get a laser straight body line before I apply filler primer. Should I apply the filler primer / Slick Sand and then cut the line?
How many coats of slick sand to apply. I was at a body shop in Texas once and the primer they applied looked like a bed liner when it dried. WOW. The truck ended up winning a GM design award and being in the GM booth at SEMA.
7. Guide coat
8. Sand Guide coat with XX grit?
I have been using Rage Gold and wiping down with Image Clean 2 before any filler or primer application.
I also do a good blow off to clean out any pin holes, etc, before application.
I have a complete selection of Durablocks that I use.

My skill level: I had a body class in college in which we had the Professor take a ball ping hammer and hit the body panel to dent it enough to stretch the metal. We had to work it out with or without filler then primer and paint it, etc. I didn't use any filler, you could not see where the dent was and I received the only A in the class. I feel I can do it, just need to know the preferred order and what is acceptable at each step.
I did a small dent on a 79 Ford truck Two tone. I cut off the old bed side and welded on the new one (had to remove the bed to do so). and painted everything. Both colors of the two tone matched perfect. They were both metallic (spray vertical one coat then horizontal the next). Base coat clear coat. Then re installed all of the chrome.

Any help is appreciated. I have talked to many professionals and they ALL have produced Awesome results. However I just never discussed the entire process from start to finish.
Thanks to everyone out there in advance for the advice. I think others on the site may like a reference also.
Now please don't everyone go and get in a debate about what works best. I think all of you have produced great work and probably all have a little different way. I once heard a guy thin down glazing putty with Acetone and spray it on (this was before Slick Sand). The paint job is over 20 years old now with zero problems.

[Rick D]

Ill do a write up for of what I've done over the last 25 years of doing paint and body! And yes you are correct everyone has "their" way of doing it, some are just fine and some will last just long enough to get through the eBay auction

I be back later with my write up!!

[IMPALA MAN]

I appreciate you sharing the knowledge and look forward to your post.