It's time to drop the body back on the frame, and my body shop suggests that I should drive the car in primer for a short period to allow for any new stress cracks to appear, then bring it back for finish painting. Almost sounds logical and it would allow me to work out all mechanical and electrical bugs without worrying about scratching a new paint job. How real is the concern for new stress cracks is the one question I really don't know the answer to, as I already believe it is unrealistic to think that the shop will (or even can) do everything necessary to prevent overspray.
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Re: Paint Question
If the body is off the frame.. Paint It!!! The "stress" cracks may appear over time... a long time if you don't drive/twist it alot. The mess that will be created to your just restored frame will be a lot worse than any stress cracks.
I would also do any buffing etc of the paint PRIOR to body drop. That dust from polishing gets everywhere!!!! Thats the way the general did it.
just be careful doing any "repairs". Make extensive use of towels and old bed comforters and things will be just fine.. -
Re: Paint Question
I have done frame off restos for 35 urs. Do yourself a favor and paint it now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Comment
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Re: Paint Question
Dave, I have heard this idea before, and it has it's pros and cons. I have gone back and forth on painting on/off the chassis myself.
The main advantage I have heard for priming it before body drop is that you don't have to worry about buggering your new paint job. You also do much of the sanding and prep off your restored chassis. On the other hand, you will not be able to depend on your painter to do ANY masking of your restored chassis, and you WILL be upset over the result unless you do ALL the masking yourself.
Stress cracks are not an issue in my opinion. I think he has another reason he's not saying, and it may be no less valid...putting a little time on the primer before you apply the color couldn't hurt.Comment
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Re: Paint Question
Chuck,
He did say something about avoiding buggering up a new paint job was another benefit by waiting, but he was pretty opiniated about the new stress crack issue. I now have a two year history with this shop, and they are sensitive to my goal. Both the painter and the shop owner swore they would take extra precaution for masking off everything possible, as both of them were impressed with how nice the chassis looks in it's restored condition AND both of them have heard enough about my concerns until they were blue in the face. They have a newer downdraft style paint booth which will help somewhat. Oh yeah, I will be there masking along with them, so some quality control will go into that effort, and I'm sure they will use that as a transfer of responsibilty for any overspray that does happen. Bottom line is we all seem to be on the same page with regard to protecting the chassis. Thanks for your comments.
DaveComment
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Re: Paint Question
I've masked many a car in my life. I've painted enough too.
Do yourself a favor and spray the body off that new looking chassis. You will be happier you did. You will be able to achieve the same overspray patterns the factory had and it will still look new when you drop it on the chassis. When its buffed you can wash everything clean again without getting a speck on the chassis. You can mask but you cannot hide every spot from the overspray. You will see the difference and so will the judges.Comment
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Re: Paint Question
I JUST FINISHED A BODY OFF AND COVERED THE CHASSIS WITH PLASTIC AND MOUNTED THE BODY , THEN RAPPED THE ENTIRE THING AND TAPPED AT THE BOTTOM NO OVERSPRAY. THE ADVANTAGE I THINK IS THE CHECK ALL THE GAPS. ESP IF IT IS A LIGHT COLORED CAR. I WOULD THINK THEY WOULDNOT WANT YOUTO DO MECHA;NICAL WORK GET GREASE ETC ON THE PRIMER BEFORE PAINTING. EVEN WITH GREAWE AND WAX REMOVER I THINK IT IS BETTER TO PROCEED TO THE PAINT RIGHT AWAY. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CHECKED ALL YOU FITS THEN SPRAY IT OFF. ESP CHECK YOU DOOR POSTS!!!Comment
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Re: I'm with Mike D. on this one
I've painted enough cars (including a 69 coupe) to see the devastation overspray can do to periphery components.
I would take a large single sheet of medium weight plastic and have it draped across the entire chassis and THEN drop the body.
Cut just enough plastic away from the body mounts to get true shim spacing and then drop the body to the chassis to get your gaps the way you want them now!
If your power plant hasn't spit and puked all over your chassis by now, your probably safe in that respect. The evil odd man out would be the heater core if it's not fresh.
After paint just cut away the plastic and admire the finished product.
I'll be there in about a year you lucky S.O.B.
ChucksterComment
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Re: I'm with Mike D. on this one
I'm leaning in that direction Chuckster! In fact, I already have the plastic. Heater core is new, and engine has been run enough to make me feel reasonably comfortable that it won't hurlComment
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Thanks to everyone for your input
Sounds like success and failure can be had no matter which way I go with this, but grabbing gears in primer and bare wheels is probably in my future. I'll post the results here for benefit of all contemplating the same issue. I appreciate all of the comments on this - thanks again to all!Comment
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Re: Paint Question
Dave,
I would probably consider something in between your two options. I would put the body in color but not finish sand/polish the paint until the body was back on the frame. Then, after you've put a few miles on it, finish the sand/polish operation. That way the paint does protect the primer but you can still do small touch up areas if necessary after your road test.
Paint and primer overspray is nearly impossible to keep off of your freshly restored chassis if you do so with the body on the frame but the mess that comes from sanding/polishing is not nearly as difficult to clean up.Comment
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Re: Paint Question
Michael,
Your point is well taken, especially when I think about getting color on before installing the new molding for doors, T-Tops etc. I think pain is involved regardless.Comment
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Re: Paint Question
Consider this another vote from the peanut gallery, but I've built or restored thirteen cars over the last 30+ years, and painted all of them off the frame on a dolly, THEN put them back on the pristine chassis; never had a problem damaging paint at body drop or during subsequent final assembly, no overspray on the chassis. Worked for me
Most primers I remember have a specific "window" for applying topcoat and having it stick, but I may not be "up" on that stuff any more.Comment
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Re: Paint Question
i agree with the norm, paint on the cradle , make sure the cradle has the shims installed adjust and perfect your gaps and then marry to the chassis and do not remove the masking around the winshield and spots and colour sand and buff now then remove the masking ,.Comment
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