One Piece At A Time Paint Job

[Blown&Injected]

Good or bad idea?

I have been reading lots of posts here and saw a post that said that said black is easy to match and one panel at a time is possible. Also saw a post that says primer does not like to sit in the sun.

I was thinking about just sanding a fender (some parts need to go to metal some parts of the car do not appear to need to go to the metal) and spraying it with primer, then moving to the next fender, doors, 1/4 panels, trunk lid, bumpers and fillers, then roof areas (T-Top car).

I would do the roof area last or first because I do not have much garage space and keep the car outside so I do not want to take the roof trim and seals apart until everything is ready to go.

Thoughts???

TIA,

 

[Loosenut]

My car was completely disassembled and painted. It came back from the painter in pieces and reassembled in my garage. I had no problem with the paint matching.

The only problem is trying to put it back together without scratching or damaging anything. We found our self's treating them like they were radioactive...lol

Andy

 

[Blown&Injected]

I know what you mean. I had a paint shop paint a fender for me off the car. They were woried that it would get damaged during the install.

But, I am talking about doing it on the car. Except for parts that have to come off like the bumpers and maybe the fillers.

 

[Lhorn]

I've been wondering the same thing. My hood is horrible, but the rest of the car isn't too bad. Thought about doing the hood now and the rest at a later time, maybe even a section at a time. I think the colormatching wouldn't be a problem, but I'd be afraid that if the gun was adjusted differently or painted during different weather conditions, you'd get different level of smoothness. The fender may be very smooth, while the door right next to it may have a little orange peel.

 

[zam70]

One piece at a time with black is very possible, maybe not the best way but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

First, make sure to use the same painter with the same paint (out of the same can if possible) during the entire process. Better yet, have the painter (or you) write down all the pertinent info (air pressure, #of coats of each layer, bake time etc...) when spraying the initial paint and do it like that everytime.

The weather has little to do with the results (as long as it's in a good paint booth and not abnormally hot)

Reassembly: USE SOMETHING TO PROTECT EDGES. You can tape 1/4" dense foam to the edges that can/will contact...a little extra expense but really good insurance.
Welders tape works good for scuff protection but leave it on for as short of a period as possible...don't press it on any more than it needs to stay in place... (on edges, like between the door and fender)

If you're not driving the car, strip 'er down to bare metal and let it sit bare...it won't rust...worst case, it'll get a little surface scum that will come off when you're prepping with scotch pads. If you're that worried about the bare panel rusting, spray it with some WD40...no rust worrys. Normal paint prep will take off the oil residue.

Also, the longer you wait to buff the better the results BUT, the harder it will be to buff...it's a trade off. I always like to do an immediate wet sand and buff (with in days of painting) and then do it again (sand and buff) in 60 - 90+ days.

Another tip -
Don't try to avoid disassembly, the more you take apart the less there is to work around, the better the results.
These cars come apart really easy....mark bolt outlines too...it'll help you during reassembly.

 

[AsphaltAnihil8r]

only thing I can add would be to buy a digital camera,,take LOTS of pics.

 

[Blown&Injected]

Thanks for the ideas!

Zam, why let it sit bare metal?

 

[zam70]

I'm not saying you have to...I was just saying you could allowing you could prime a large area all at once.
You're actually better letting it sit bare than sit primed. Primer will absorb moisture (bad) and other contaminents as well. Also the longer the primer sits, the harder it is to block.

 

[Blown&Injected]

Ahhh,

I was thinking there is something to just the part about letting it sit bare metal.

After more thinking (I gotta stop that) I am not going to do anything until I get all the weather stripping right. - Got to stop the leaks first.