When to paint?

Timelockmind · 01-15-2007, 06:47 PM

Is it true that to achieve a really topquality paint job theengine and all interior must be removed? My shopsays there is no way to prevent overspray so this is the way to go. The price with removal, prep work and reinstall is $9000.

I'm doing a lot of work to my car including the engine andinterior. I justdon't have the money to do paint right now but I don't want to kick myself in a few years for stopping short of the paint.

Has anyone repainted while leaving their engine and ineterior in place?

fast65 · 01-15-2007, 06:59 PM

I'm about to repaint my 65 GT and I don't see any reason why you should have to take all of that stuff out. Just tape it off and be REALLY, REALLY careful. I would wait until afterward to put any new weatherstripping or glass on it, that is if it needs it.

eZ · 01-15-2007, 06:59 PM

this is how i am doing my resto. i believe in waiting till the drive train and everything is done. i have put my new motor in, new tranny, new rear end, disc brakes, steering. had done the new paint job first i surely would have chipped or scratched it. im going to pull the motor back out while the car is in paint. ill get the car back drop the motor back in and then do my interior.

Timelockmind · 01-15-2007, 07:03 PM

Ez - so you would not leave the engine in while painting? Any concerns you'll scratch the new paint in the engine bay with your reinstall? And - if I may ask - how much for you paint? Is it 1 or 2 stage?

baddog671 · 01-15-2007, 07:22 PM

9k sounds an aweful lot for a paint job. The interior should be removed prior paint and its an easy task. I would leave the engine in it becuase you may scratch your brand new paint reinstalling it, and that would not be fun. You should tape off the engine area and put sheet over it, but I think a poor quality painter would overspray onto the engine since all the metal near it will be removed anyways. Soudns to me hes just trying to get a load of money out of you...

eZ · 01-15-2007, 07:35 PM

timelock..im only pulling the motor because im going to have the engine bay painted to match exterior. for the reinstall im bringing over about 4-5 guys to help drop it back in. make sure nothing touches or scrapes, because the headers barely clear. also it will give me an oppurtunnity to get some motor work and detail done. im getting a 2-stage done for 6k but im removing everything including windows before it goes off. its too easy to take these cars apart to pay someone to do it.

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eZ · 01-15-2007, 07:37 PM

baddog brings up a good point...a good painter would remove the front half of the body to paint anyhow.i.e. fenders, hood, valance.

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Timelockmind · 01-15-2007, 08:18 PM

So is the going rate for a top quaility 2 stage paint job with engine and ineterior removal and install plus all prep is about $6,000 where you live?

The quotes I have gotten here in LA - from the best restoration shops - have ranged from$7,000 to $11,000 (the big difference being the amount of prep time and the quality of paint which can get VERY expensive and number of layers of clear coats)

By the way, I was told that they only use about 1 and 1/2 gallons of paint for the entire car. That surprised me.

eZ · 01-15-2007, 08:22 PM

i talked with the guys at muscle cars USA in ontario CA. they highly recommended someone which is rare for someone to actually recommend a paint shop. i saw 3 cars that they painted all for around 6-7k and they where beautiful. they recommended Magnolia Street auto body and paint. they gave me a card to Dave Alexander.

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Bulldog66 · 01-15-2007, 08:24 PM

I've seen a friend of mine spray brand new vehicles ( he does late modle wrecks for insurance work ) and never once have an over spray issue. The trick is in prep work. an extra hour of prep will save hours and hours of clean up work.

I've also seen him tape an engine bay off and weld all the holes up, spread filler and paint the engine bay with damn near everything still in place. It's all in prep.