Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

colgad · 12-16-2013, 01:15 AM

My 67 short fleet is apart and in primer and ready to paint.

Should I paint everything and then assemble.
OR
Assemble and then paint.
OR
Paint base coat assemble and then clear.

As far as I see it I lean toward paint and then assemble but I am sure that I will scrap paint off during the assembly process of the header panel and the rear sill.

What do you think?
What have you guys done in the past?

Thanks

Jahloha · 12-16-2013, 01:48 AM

Not near painting, but thought about this as well. Bump

Tx Firefighter · 12-16-2013, 08:51 AM

If you paint it first, you're gonna have to deal with welding afterwards. Remember, the sides are welded in the back.

**chiefcfd** · 12-16-2013, 08:57 AM

I would do both. Trim out the edges that will be hidden, then assemble and paint the entire bed. Remember primer will not protect the metal forever. You will end up with rust under the joints. It will be a lot of work but will be worth it. When you are this close don't rush to the finish line.

shawno72 · 12-16-2013, 09:13 AM

Personally if it was primed I would assemble and then paint. Now if you have several buddies who are willing to stand there and hold the sides while you line up holes and stuff bolts then it may not be so bad on re-assembly. I've replaced bedsides by myself on a long bed and it can be tough and not even attempt it painted. Just my opinion but the only piece I would leave separate is the tailgate

colgad · 12-16-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

If you paint it first, you're gonna have to deal with welding afterwards. Remember, the sides are welded in the back.

I did not realize that the rear sill is welded! Where is it welded?

67ChevyRedneck · 12-16-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefcfd

I would do both. Trim out the edges that will be hidden, then assemble and paint the entire bed. Remember primer will not protect the metal forever. You will end up with rust under the joints. It will be a lot of work but will be worth it. When you are this close don't rush to the finish line.

That's what I did with my stepside bed, it doesn't even have to be body color, just something to protect it (I used black), then assemble, prime, block, repeat paint.

68gmsee · 12-16-2013, 10:30 AM

It's easy enough to put together. I've done it twice on my short base but I wasn't worried about scratching or damaging the paint. Also, mine only had welds in the back and I didn't reweld it.

Since it's going to get a paint job anyway, maybe you can just touch up the hidden parts with the paint you're using or get a spray can from a paint supplier. This way you can protect the unseen parts, put it together and then paint without having to worry about nicking, scratching, etc.

Also, keep in mind that if you paint the whole bed and sides while it's apart first then the bolts will not be painted and you will have to do that anyway.

colgad · 12-16-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

If you paint it first, you're gonna have to deal with welding afterwards. Remember, the sides are welded in the back.

I looked at another bed I had and saw where it was welded. Thanks for mentioning that.

Since the primer is a 2 part epoxy type it should hold up out of the sun. I am thinking I will just base coat all hidden areas, assemble the bed the same day on a cart, weld/grind/sand/prime the rear sill/bedside area. Base coat everything assembled and clear it. Get friends to put it on the truck and start on the wood.

Still not etched in stone so if anyone has a better way I am still a week away from doing it.

Thanks so much for the input.

68gmsee · 12-16-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colgad

I looked at another bed I had and saw where it was welded. Thanks for mentioning that.

Since the primer is a 2 part epoxy type it should hold up out of the sun. I am thinking I will just base coat all hidden areas, assemble the bed the same day on a cart, weld/grind/sand/prime the rear sill/bedside area. Base coat everything assembled and clear it. Get friends to put it on the truck and start on the wood.

Still not etched in stone so if anyone has a better way I am still a week away from doing it.

Thanks so much for the input.

I think you got it... Good luck. Also take pics. We like pictures.

BurlyCrew · 12-16-2013, 08:43 PM

Yeah, Jam, assemble, Paint together....

**FirstOwner69** · 12-16-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colgad

Get friends to put it on the truck and start on the wood.

It's a lot easier to install the wood before placing the bed on the truck.

colgad · 12-16-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

It's a lot easier to install the wood before placing the bed on the truck.

Good to know, I have done wood on a long bed before but the bed was on the truck and it was a pain. Good to know a better way!!!
Thanks!

colgad · 12-16-2013, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

I think you got it... Good luck. Also take pics. We like pictures.

I will take some pic's, I forget with all the work. Ill do better.

colgad · 03-03-2014, 12:59 AM

Well I finally got it done, I painted it together. Came out alright, now to install it on the frame.
THANKs AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/p...ictureid=19273

chuckmc8 · 03-03-2014, 08:17 AM

Wow! That is slick!

KEL · 03-03-2014, 08:26 AM

Hey Dave
Looks real nice !

2 Far Gone · 03-03-2014, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Also, keep in mind that if you paint the whole bed and sides while it's apart first then the bolts will not be painted and you will have to do that anyway.

That's a really good excuse to replace them with polished stainless bolts. It adds detail and finishes everything off nicely.
Mine being a step side, you see most of the bolts holding it together. That was my motivation. Had it been a fleet side I probably would have gone with assembly then paint. Either way, its your truck and your gonna love to drive it anyway.

faribran · 03-03-2014, 08:41 AM

Colgate, gotta love that color... Nice job

faribran · 03-03-2014, 08:41 AM

Colgad

bruceman1968 · 03-03-2014, 12:03 PM

Colgad, Looks Great. Just as nice as the cab. You going to have it on by the 16th? Need any help with it? Just holler.

Mr Chevorlet · 03-03-2014, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colgad

Well I finally got it done, I painted it together. Came out alright, now to install it on the frame.
THANKs AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/p...ictureid=19273

That does look really nice. Like the color

yfs200p · 03-03-2014, 08:57 PM

Good timing on this one, I am almost there. Are the cross members supposed to be painted body color too? I see it looks like you only have the rear one in. That is looking really sharp, nice work. I like the C/50 too.

12-16-2013, 01:15 AM	#1
colgad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 838	Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled My 67 short fleet is apart and in primer and ready to paint. Should I paint everything and then assemble. OR Assemble and then paint. OR Paint base coat assemble and then clear. As far as I see it I lean toward paint and then assemble but I am sure that I will scrap paint off during the assembly process of the header panel and the rear sill. What do you think? What have you guys done in the past? Thanks __________________ 1967 Red, C10 Short Bed 6.0L T5 5 speed 1967 Orange and Black C50 6.2 Detroit Diesel NV4500, 2 Ton Pickup 1972 White, Chevy Blazer 2WD 67 Dog house 5.3 4L65 2016 Power Tour LH 1955 Red-Cream, Chevrolet Nomad, restoration on hold 2004 Black, Corvette Z06 LS6 convertible (Rock solid Fun) 2011/2018 Power Tour

12-16-2013, 01:48 AM	#2
Jahloha Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mililani, HI Posts: 526	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Not near painting, but thought about this as well. Bump __________________ -JASON My grandpa, Gramps, won a 1970 C20 in 1969 for $1. I'm on a mission to restore it before he passes. My 1970 C20 Build Thread

12-16-2013, 08:51 AM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled If you paint it first, you're gonna have to deal with welding afterwards. Remember, the sides are welded in the back. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-16-2013, 08:57 AM	#4
chiefcfd Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cadiz, Ky Posts: 514	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled I would do both. Trim out the edges that will be hidden, then assemble and paint the entire bed. Remember primer will not protect the metal forever. You will end up with rust under the joints. It will be a lot of work but will be worth it. When you are this close don't rush to the finish line. __________________ 1972 Chevy LWB Roadster 1999 Chevy Silverado 2wd 2015 Chevy High Country 4x4 Crew Cab

12-16-2013, 09:13 AM	#5
shawno72 C/10 junkie Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Stockton Ca Posts: 9,094	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Personally if it was primed I would assemble and then paint. Now if you have several buddies who are willing to stand there and hold the sides while you line up holes and stuff bolts then it may not be so bad on re-assembly. I've replaced bedsides by myself on a long bed and it can be tough and not even attempt it painted. Just my opinion but the only piece I would leave separate is the tailgate __________________ Shawn 70 LWB C10 current driver/project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=663051 68 SWB C10 Work in progress.....SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559520 72 LWB C10 Sold 71 LWB C10 Sold 68 LWB C10 CST Sold http://youtu.be/kbB0QrBIs9k My mom always had the best advice. It was just a tad late. After a fall that involved blood, she'd say....."Careful!"

12-16-2013, 10:30 AM	#8
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled It's easy enough to put together. I've done it twice on my short base but I wasn't worried about scratching or damaging the paint. Also, mine only had welds in the back and I didn't reweld it. Since it's going to get a paint job anyway, maybe you can just touch up the hidden parts with the paint you're using or get a spray can from a paint supplier. This way you can protect the unseen parts, put it together and then paint without having to worry about nicking, scratching, etc. Also, keep in mind that if you paint the whole bed and sides while it's apart first then the bolts will not be painted and you will have to do that anyway. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive... Last edited by 68gmsee; 12-16-2013 at 11:09 AM. Reason: (corrected. weld was on the rear bedsides)

12-16-2013, 08:43 PM	#11
BurlyCrew Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 78	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Yeah, Jam, assemble, Paint together....

03-03-2014, 12:59 AM	#15
colgad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 838	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Well I finally got it done, I painted it together. Came out alright, now to install it on the frame. THANKs AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/p...ictureid=19273 __________________ 1967 Red, C10 Short Bed 6.0L T5 5 speed 1967 Orange and Black C50 6.2 Detroit Diesel NV4500, 2 Ton Pickup 1972 White, Chevy Blazer 2WD 67 Dog house 5.3 4L65 2016 Power Tour LH 1955 Red-Cream, Chevrolet Nomad, restoration on hold 2004 Black, Corvette Z06 LS6 convertible (Rock solid Fun) 2011/2018 Power Tour

03-03-2014, 08:17 AM	#16
chuckmc8 It's alsways something..... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 1,171	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Wow! That is slick! __________________ 1968 RS Camaro 'Vert Matching number 327 and M21 Muncie 1968 C10 Black with red interior and orig paint. 5.3 / 4l60e,3:73 POSI 17" Torq Thrusts 1968 CST 514 Red with black interior. Buddy Buckets, Factory A/C, PS, PB- 20" AR custom shop TT, 5.3 and 4l60e

03-03-2014, 08:26 AM	#17
KEL 72 GMC Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 535	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Hey Dave Looks real nice ! __________________ KEL Members I have met : 2014.02.01: bruceman1968, Mr Handy, colgad, RenoKeene, CaptRMW

03-03-2014, 08:41 AM	#19
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Colgate, gotta love that color... Nice job __________________ "

03-03-2014, 12:03 PM	#21
bruceman1968 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,549	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Colgad, Looks Great. Just as nice as the cab. You going to have it on by the 16th? Need any help with it? Just holler. __________________ CHEVY/GMC VIN DECODERS

03-03-2014, 08:57 PM	#23
yfs200p E.H.F.D Engine #2 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Hampton, NY Long Island Posts: 916	Re: Best way to paint a bed - apart or assembled Good timing on this one, I am almost there. Are the cross members supposed to be painted body color too? I see it looks like you only have the rear one in. That is looking really sharp, nice work. I like the C/50 too. __________________ -NICK '72 K10 SWB Fleetside. Avocado Highlander 350-4speed-NP205 Frame Off Re-Creation '89 GMC V3500 C/C Flatbed Plow Truck 454/SM465/Np205 '15 Chevy 2500HD CCSB High Country Duramax '22 Tahoe Premier Duramax

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