Body & Paint Question ?

[ss wannabee]

What are the pro's & con's of painting the body panels separately....and then assembly....vs. painting the jambs and assembling the shell and then painting the entire car?

[Crisco]

SS....

It all depends how nice of a job you want done. Judging from the quality of the Stockers and SS'ers that are being built nowadays, definately do all the bodywork and painting seperatly. You just need to have some patients when reinstalling the body panels. It is a very good idea to test fit and get everything lined up perfrectly and take it back apart for paint. This way you know it will go back together easier and you know it will all line up.

[Harry 6674]

A lot depends on the color. Some paint colors don't match well when all isn't all mixed at once (metallics). Assembly of freshly painted pieces can be a bear. Over all it would be a better job, just more difficult. Also you usually use more material and gain more weight.

[greg fulk]

SS the main thing IF your going to paint the panels apart is to paint them hanging in the direction they are going to be hung on the car ( this is most important with met. colors). We from time to time do this @ work....we'll hang something up-side down & when it's bolted togather IT DOSE NOT MATCH! just an F.Y.I.

[Ron Middleton]

A lot of considerations should be taken before deciding which way to go. The difficulty of reassembly should be your primary consideration. If you elect painting panels seperately make sure they are painted all at the same time as air temp, humidity, air pressure, etc will alter color variances on all metallic and pearl colors. Solid colors are usually a little easier to deal with but should still be painted at the same time because pigments tend to settle and colors change if you do not constantly keep colors stirred.
I usually paint paels seperately , reassemble car and then refinish overall again being extremely careful on preserving door jambs so the vehicle doesn't look like it's been repainted. It's your call but look carefully and consider if you can reassemble the vehicle without damaging the freshly painted panels. Good Luck with your project. JMT.

[Crisco]

Ss...

[ss wannabee]

Thanks guys, the car will be a bright solid color....maybe yellow or white...we haven't decided yet. Hey Ron, you joined this forum when.......?????

[Ron Middleton]

I joined a while back but I can't even remember owning a computer before 1984 or 85 and that was a Timex Sinclair(all 4k memory total) and I know the internet wasn't even known in 1969. I have been racing since 1969 but I sure haven't been a member of this board that long. I've also been doing paint and body since then but I ain't been around as long as some on this board and I'm still learning every day.

[Gordon Boven (DECON)]

SS, Just so you know yellow is one of the worst colors to do apart. Almost all yellows will change with every coat. So as stated before, mix well, same pressure, gun, same coats. White on the other hand will be a walk in the park.