Question about painting a truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**nightmare** · 06-19-2003, 10:23 AM

here's a question for ya'll. i'm in the process of restoring a 69 chevy, and i'm about to get some of the bodywork done (Zero structural rust, both rear cab corners, and am converting from a non-a/c to a/c). anyhow, when i get the cab back, it will be already in primer. here's the question: is it better to paint each piece individually and then reassemble, or is it better to reassemble everything, then paint? i'm getting to the point to where i'm about to start the reassembling process, and was just curious about that. thanks

72BLAZERDUDE · 06-19-2003, 10:59 AM

Better paint jobs have each piece painted individually and then reassembled but that leaves alot of room for scratching and dings etc.

VTKidder · 06-19-2003, 11:05 AM

As was said above...depends on what you want to do with the truck. A show only truck would be done bit by bit, then everything installed. My .02 is to do it all at once...something could happen in handling individual pieces, the paint could not match perfectly from one day or one piece to the next, etc. It's faster and easier to just mask off what you don't want hit, but the quality won't be the same as if you did stuff separately. Personally, I'm going to do my front fenders and hood off the truck as they are all mixmatched, and I want the inside of the fenders and hood painted. I'll do some on and some off, but it's gonna be a daily driver...

**old Rusty C10** · 06-19-2003, 01:25 PM

paint first assemble later!

*Randy70C-10* · 06-19-2003, 02:15 PM

Paint the door jams, door edges, window frames......, then assemble and shoot.

pierce · 06-19-2003, 04:45 PM

I'd have to agree with Randy, especially for metalic paint, the panels will not match if they are painted in different positions then mounted.

72MARIO · 06-20-2003, 02:11 PM

paint it apart.

lukecp · 06-20-2003, 02:15 PM

I have seen alot of guys doing a minor restoration paint the interior and firewall of the truck while the cab is off, and then spray the exterior when it is together. Then you don't have to worry about scratching your new paint job all up. The colors won't be an exact match unless you have a really good painter, but most people proably wouldn't notice. When i do mine is the very, very distant future that is what i plan to do.

theo70 · 06-20-2003, 04:01 PM

I haven't got around to the body work or paint yet, but I would take off the moving parts like tailgate, doors, hood, etc., to get the best coverage.

06-19-2003, 10:59 AM	#2
72BLAZERDUDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: WATAUGA,TX Posts: 675	Better paint jobs have each piece painted individually and then reassembled but that leaves alot of room for scratching and dings etc. __________________ 72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA

06-19-2003, 01:25 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	paint first assemble later! __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-19-2003, 04:45 PM	#6
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	I'd have to agree with Randy, especially for metalic paint, the panels will not match if they are painted in different positions then mounted. __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-20-2003, 02:11 PM	#7
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	paint it apart. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

06-20-2003, 02:15 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I have seen alot of guys doing a minor restoration paint the interior and firewall of the truck while the cab is off, and then spray the exterior when it is together. Then you don't have to worry about scratching your new paint job all up. The colors won't be an exact match unless you have a really good painter, but most people proably wouldn't notice. When i do mine is the very, very distant future that is what i plan to do. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

06-19-2003, 11:05 AM	#3
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	As was said above...depends on what you want to do with the truck. A show only truck would be done bit by bit, then everything installed. My .02 is to do it all at once...something could happen in handling individual pieces, the paint could not match perfectly from one day or one piece to the next, etc. It's faster and easier to just mask off what you don't want hit, but the quality won't be the same as if you did stuff separately. Personally, I'm going to do my front fenders and hood off the truck as they are all mixmatched, and I want the inside of the fenders and hood painted. I'll do some on and some off, but it's gonna be a daily driver...

06-19-2003, 02:15 PM	#5
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Paint the door jams, door edges, window frames......, then assemble and shoot.

06-20-2003, 04:01 PM	#9
theo70 COMING SOON... Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ft Worth TX Posts: 406	I haven't got around to the body work or paint yet, but I would take off the moving parts like tailgate, doors, hood, etc., to get the best coverage.

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