Dent RepairThis is the area of bodywork that probably requires the most skill and experience. Working sheetmetal into shape could be considered an art form, particularly when true craftsmen work their magic. Shaping body filler for the final finish presents yet another challenge. Many novices have driven themselves nuts attempting to tackle panel-straightening alone, so don't feel bad if you have to bring in a pro to get it right. Entire books have been written on metalworking and other forms of body sculpting, so we can't even begin to go into the process here. However, if you think you might want to attempt this, get some junk panels and some good reference materials, and give it a try. Even the most skilled pros will tell you that practice has more to do with successful work than anything else.
If you have no intention of becoming a panel-beater, you can probably shave some shop time off of dent repairs by prepping the area yourself. This will consist of basically grinding out all paint and filler in the affected area and perhaps removing other parts and pieces that may provide access to the back of the dent or hole. Don't remove the panel without talking to the shop that will perform the repair, as many pros prefer to work the steel while it's still mounted, since the panel is better supported that way.
Block-SandingThere will be plenty of sanding involved in any body project, and block-sanding is usually the final process prior to paint. If you don't know what you're doing or what you're trying to achieve during this step, you can waste a lot of time and effort. Block-sanding is the process of hand-sanding with the sandpaper attached to a sanding block or a long board. The idea is to sand the panels until they're perfectly smooth, though they should be almost there before this stage even begins. The goal is to eliminate the small waves and surface imperfections so that after the paint is applied, it will be mirror-straight.
If you want to attempt to do the block-sanding to eliminate some of the grunt work from your shop bill, talk to the technicians who handled the previous work, especially if they will be the ones to lay down the paint. In some cases, they may not want you to be involved in this process, as it is possible to screw up the surface even further, rather than smoothing it. If they are willing to work with you, listen to their advice and remember to be gentle-any harsh sanding here can create ripples in the final finish.
SprayingWhen it comes time to actually lay down the color, there are more choices to make. It's easy to find car-owners who have painted their own cars, and this can certainly reduce the cost of the project, but it also offers the greatest potential to screw up. If you're considering wielding the gun, accurately assess your own ability before proceeding. If you've just spent a lot of time and money getting the body ready for paint, but have never sprayed a car previously, you may not want this to be your first effort. There are other alternatives that may fit your budget just as well.
Production Paint ShopsThere are dozens of businesses that offer quick spray jobs on all types of cars and trucks. They generally offer flat-rate pricing and turn the work around in a couple days, and while these shops may not be known for show-quality paint jobs, a properly prepared car can turn out quite respectably when treated to a production refinish. After all, these guys spray gallons of paint every day. The key to success is thorough preparation.