Calling bodywork people

[DieselPaul]

I mentionned in the past I am working on a 1964 Vespa Allstate for my girlfriend (I said '65 previously, like the title says, but the VIN on the title, and on the bike decode to a '64... anyways)

The bike had two dents in it, which I got pretty well smoothed with a hammer and dolly. But I could only get it so smooth. Also there was a repair welded into the bike by a previous owner and a couple holes drilled in the bike. I filled them with weld and ground as smooth as an angle grinder can get.

So I assume its time for a THIN swipe of body filler. I want to reiterate I'm using filler to smooth the grind marks and minute dents left from the metal work. Not to fill holes, voids, or big dents.

So, is the consensus to do filler on bare metal?

Also, the bike is in bare metal, so it will need to be primed. I will need to do some priming to check my progress on the filler and sanding. Self Etching primer?

On the topic of etch primer, could I prime the bike myself with rattle can etch primer? The bike will ultimately be professionally painted. But I need to get some primer on the bike so I can see where I need to add filler, and so the bike won't rust in my shop. But the priming needs to be well done, I don't need the paint to start flaking off the first time the bike gets wet.

Any recommendations on brands of filler, and etch primer?

Thanks!