should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

[Richard R.]

Folks,

I am looking for opinions and the pros and cons with this problem.

When I started the restoration of this 1969 L49 convertible, the fellow who is painting it and I agreed to put the color coats on after I had it on the frame. My concern at the time was that if I had it painted before putting it back on the frame I may scratch doors and hoods etc in the final assembly. His requirement was that the engine was running so he could move it around his shop.

However now that I have the chassis done, I am now worrying about overspray on my work of art chassis. The body has been prepared and is sealed and just needs the final color - which is cortez silver.

So what do you think? Paint the body first or after it is back on the frame?

Thanks for your help,

Rich

[Paul S.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Paint off frame

[Michael J.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Paint off frame

+1, that is TFP and the way it should be done, but you do have to be very careful and have as many assistants as necessary to help in the process to not scratch or damage the paint job.

[Jim D.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Here's what I always do, right or wrong. I do all the body work, fix gaps etc. while the body is still on the frame. I then remove the body and do all the priming and finishing short of sealing. I like to let it sit a few months while I do the frame/engine/suspension restoration. Then back to the body for a final sanding/sealer/paint/polish and then reinstall the body onto the frame.

[Stephen L.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Paint/finish the body!!! Tape all areas that may be subject to damage, door edges etc. (chip scratch) and reinstall body on frame. If the painter wants to move the chassis tell him push it!! OR place it on casters and roll it ANY direction. ALSO, make sure the chassis is COVERED in plastic while waiting for the body. Body shop dust is very hard to remove without washing, which can mess up your detail work. Look around his shop for evidence of general cleanliness.

[Chris S.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Paint off the frame

[Alan S.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Hi Rich,
Obviously different thoughts on this.
The fellow who painted my car suggested he do all the body work he could with the body off the chassis. It was a no-hit body.
I then brought the finished frame and running gear to his shop and wrapped it VERY carefully.
A 10'x20' sheet of plastic was draped loosely over the frame and the body slowly lowered in place.
He then did the fitting and aligning of the hood and doors.
He then proceeded to prepare and spray. Acrylic Lacquer.
The car came home still wrapped. It took me about 2 days to carefully unwrap and control any body shop dust present.
It turned out fairly well.
Regards,
Alan

[Edward J.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

I think Jim or Alan are correct, If you want body fit to be spot on its generally done before body removal, If its to late and you never fit before body removal then do as Alan has done, sometimes it is better Alan's way, as a body sits on body dolly's for months or years the body tend to settle and the install of new body mounts and shims can change things up.

[Richard R.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

All good points made here. I met with the painter today and he would/can do it either way (body on or off). the body has been on the dolly for 4 years now. decisions, decisions, decisions........

Rich

[Richard R.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Just an update. I had the body painted on the dolly, before drop. It turned out great! Now in final preparation to put it on the chassis. I will probably get it back on in the next month.

[Leif A.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Richard,
Congratulations!! Take and post plenty of pictures

[Michael L.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Just an update. I had the body painted on the dolly, before drop. It turned out great! Now in final preparation to put it on the chassis. I will probably get it back on in the next month.

Richard,

Can you update us on how the body drop went with the car already painted? I'm facing the same question and the painter recommended painting after body drop because of the flexing/gapping issues that can occur with the body on a dolly and I'm curious how yours went.

Mike

[Richard R.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Mike,

The body drop went well. I did not do any damage to the painted body and I am quite pleased with the way it turned out. I would do it the same way again if I have the chance without giving it a second thought. I noticed no issues with paint cracking due to body flex or any other reasons. The body drop was the easy part. It took me less than a day to get the body on the chassis. I will add a few pics taken right after the drop was completed.

However it took me several more hours to get the body mount shims correct so the door gaps would be perfect. As a tip - make sure the car has it's wheels on and is setting on the floor before you start making adjustments. I left the wheels off while in the air on the lift and when I dropped it down with wheels on, the thing moved enough that I had to redo the shims.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I am not an expert but I am no longer a "rookie".

Best,
Rich

[Jim D.]

Re: should I paint body before or after I drop it on the frame?

Glad everything worked out well for you. That's how I've been doing it for years, painting the body off the frame, and never had any issues putting the body back on.