Know this Bodywork tools and tricks of the trade

Achieving a smooth finish to a panel prior to painting it is a time-consuming and patience-testing job that is rightly a recognised skill within the motor trade. However, it’s also the sort of skill that most people can learn with enough time and practice, and the tools required are not that expensive to buy. Perhaps what is seemingly expensive, are the good-quality consumables (abrasive wheels and papers, filler and primer) that ensure the job is done properly.

We visited RO Performance to watch them complete a small repair to the top of the wing on a Mk5 Cortina, which helps to illustrate the tools that can be used and how to work with them. We also picked up lots of tips, such as spreading filler out