Body work for dummies...

Ok, I know this has been addressed a hundred times, and Adam, I saw your tech thread too. But I am very close at taking my first stab at body work, and need some direction on how to start. Now I mean I need it really broken down to the smallest detail. I just get confused as to what the proper order is, and what products I need.

My first project is a Duster. I need to replace the lower portions of the quarters on both sides below the mid body line. In addition, I need to replace or patch the trunk extensions. Other than that, the car is solid, w/o body damage - should be a good first-time body project. My plan is to paint it Hemi Orange, with a flat-black hood and side window treatment. I guess I'll be buying repro skins and cutting sections for the lower quarters (need more material than what the partial patch pieces offer, so I need a full skin)

Now, I have a good welder, a nice auto-tinting mask and plan to get an assortment of long sanding blocks. I have a DA sander too. I also have a new set of body hammers and dollies, as well as a cheap paint gun set (Eastwood, two size tips, and a small gun for detail work). I have a grinder, and a variable-speed polisher.

My questions:

-as far as removing paint, what's the best approach? I'd like to get the car down to bare metal. What power tools are recommended, and are there any tools out there NOT recommended (wire brushes, coarse grit).

-What step is first? after I remove the paint, I need to do the metal work - do I prime or seal the car first? If so, does filler go over the sealer/primer? Other than shaping and sanding the spots that have filler, does the rest of the car need to be sanded before the next step?

-What's next? After the metal work is done (including filler and fixing dents), Do I prime it again or seal it?

-I plan to remove the body panels and do the bulk of the work on stands individually, at what point do I worry about panel alignment? How can i do body work if I don't know how the panels fit together? Is it best to leave them on the car to ensure good panel fitment? At what point do I align panels on the car?

- metal work; what cutting discs do you recommend to cut panels to fit patch panels or quarter skins? Is there any danger of warping from heat - if so any recommended techniques?


I know that's a lot of info to ask, but I'm sure I'll still have questions:-D