Paint body on or off chassis

[dax427]

Hello All
I can not decide if I should paint the body on or off the chassis.
Obviously there is much less masking to do if I paint the body off
the chassis but I would imagine there is a greater risk off damaging
the paint work when I lift the body onto the chassis after painting.
What did you guys do?
Regard's
Paul

Paul,

Strange this question should arise today, I was only discussing this with my dad yesterday.

He works for a local accident repair company and has many years experience working with vehicles on paint finishes and mechanicals (guess whos going to help me when the time comes!) when faced with a tin top needing a new body shell the shell is always sprayed up first, baked and then all the bits put back on kit build style. As you say it prevents getting overspray on the chassis and ensures all body areas get a good coat.

I guess its down to how easy it is to build the car with a painted finish, dependant on each marque I expect.

Its certainly the way Im going to try to do it. But then again Im counting on the help of an experienced bloke.

Andy

[dax427]

Hi Andy

Thanks for the response. I am building a DAX so the body does come's on and off fairly easily. I suppose if I am carefull when putting the interior back in etc then painting the body off the chassis may be the best way especially if this is how the pro's do it

Regard's
Paul

[Bowtie]

I am building an AK 427 and this is how I am going to do it. I will initially build it in gelcoat but build it barebone, just as much as needed to pass SFRO (Swedish SVA) and the other inspections needed to get it street legal.

Interior will be limited to seats and dash but no carpets, door sides and exterior without brite works etc. I will then rip it a part again and send the body to the paint shop and finally assamble it with full interior, brite works etc.

I don't know if that is possible in UK but in Sweden I can acctually get my car street legal without wind shield, wipers, safety belts etc. But I do have to pass tests for breaks, noise, lights, overall construction etc.

[STOMPER]

Paul
Build it SVA it and get the heat from the engine to settle down the shell.
It dont matter how careful you can be you will scracth the car on assembley.
the nature of the fiber glass it neads heat to cure the body,Once the car has been on the road for one summer you will have sorted out any teething problems
and their will be,then the car will ready for that paint job.
Most people I have spoken to that have painted their car wish they had waited.
My car is in its gel coat and I glad I havent painted it yet.
Regards
Paul. :7

[pcoghlan]

I 2nd Paul's (the other one!) comments. When speaking to DAX themselves I was advised not to paint the car for a year until the body settled down. I have seen several Cobra's with significant warping in the body.

I ultimately opted for the GD which has a much more comprehensive body but again there will be warpage as it reacts to the heat from the drivetrain etc.

The gelcoat is great and allows you to get it done at a later time when the body has settled.

Paul

[GUMBALL]

Paul,

I totally agree with Stomper.

I painted mine before it went on the road, and had worked on the car in the sun and cold weather to get it to settle down - when it left my workshop it was as straight as a die, but now, after 2 years on the road it has rippled up all over the place. Fibre glass will do this - it is just a characteristic of Fibre glass, all bodies will be the same. However, getting it baked in an oven before spraying will bring out a lot of this - but not all.

I now know that I should have left it in Gel coat for at least a year!!!
(it will now get sprayed again this winter - when I decide on a colour combination)

But it really is up to you.

GUMBALL

[dax427]

Hi Guys

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have left the body outside now for a whole year right through summer and winter to try and suject the body to the depths of winter and then to bake the body through summer. This has also had the effect of taking the shine of the surface. Bowtie sounds like the SVA in Sweeden is far more relaxed than in the UK.

Regard's
Paul

[paul]

Hi there I ran mine for a year in gel coat then got it sprayed ( body on car )then had it cooked in Le'man (it was very hot in 2000)so now I have a few ripples but not enough for a surfer.:7
re body on for spraying it's fixed so you can get all your shut lines sorted they may alter if it's done off the chassis. There's not that much masking to do if you have stripped it out only engine bay really. But the choice is yours good luck
Paul

[GUMBALL]

Honda Supersonic Blue, with Pearl White Stripes...?

More like White with a Red Cross on it !!!!

GUMBALL :7 :7 :7