View single post by Art DeKneef
 Posted: 11-23-2013 02:45 am
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Art DeKneef

 

Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Mesa, Arizona USA
Posts: 338
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 What I have done and most of the pros I know do is mask the car and then spray the engine compartment, trunk compartment, door jambs and the sides and bottom of the doors and door hinges. Include the bottom of the hood and trunk lids and their hinges here. You can also spray any of the interior that might be left exposed. But most of the interior will be covered with sound deadener, carpet and vinyl. This gets all the areas that will be covered when the exterior of the car is painted.

This gives you the benefit of seeing how the paint flows with your gun based on the current temps, etc. so you can make any adjustments before you spray the exterior. If there are any areas or spots that might need fixing, fix those now. After the paint dries remove the masking paper and assemble the car. Get all the gaps right and bolts tightened. Having the car body higher up helps in painting the lower parts of the car. I made a rolling frame the body sits on that puts the bottom about 18 inches off the ground.

Now mask the car again with new paper and plastic. You do not want old paint or stuff coming of the old paper into your new paint. For masking around the doors now, use 3M Door Aperture Tape. It helps prevent a "tape line" between paint times. Clean and prep your spray area, wipe down the car a final time, mix the paint and spray.

The interior of the car, trunk and engine bay are painted, covered and protected. After the paint dries, remove the masking paper and you can cut and buff if needed. The car is painted. No messing with hanging the doors and worrying about nicks and scratches or worse. Let the car and yourself rest for a couple of days. Cover the car with auto paint grade plastic to keep clean.

Now you can finish putting the car together. For me I found it best to install the brake and fuel lines, wiring harness, dash and sound material and carpet while the car was higher off the ground. Less bending over and easier access to the under side of the car. Put the body on jack stands and install the rear axle and suspension. Don't fully tighten the bolts until the car is completely assembled and all of the weight is there.

Line up the engine and trans, raise the front of the car and slide engine/trans in place. Slowly lower the body while aligning the front suspension top mounting bolts. Having someone to help guide the shift in place will be good. Install drive shaft. Finish connecting brake and fuel lines. Finish wiring and all the other things that need to be completed. Start and drive car with big grin on face.