Topic: Paint body on or off frame?
in Forum: C3 Body
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
I'm getting ready to have my car painted. It's a frame off restoration. I'm struggling with the pros and cons of painting the car while off the frame. Pros,,,easier for painter to do body work and paint. Eliminate all the dust and paint overspray on the frame and engine. May save money? Cons,,,,risk of damaging paint while placing body back on frame. I'm guessing I might get differing opinions, but would like to hear from people that have done it both ways. Thanks, David...
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You'll definitely get a better quality paint with the body off, as it is easier to get to all of the areas that need painting with the body up of the ground a bit, as it will be a on a jig. You run the risk of scratching the paint either way, on re-assembly.
Not having primer and color overspray on the rest of the car/frame/engine/etc., is a BIG plus in my book. If the body is currently off the frame, which it sounds like it is, then I would go ahead and have it painted that way. That's just my opinion.
I'm sure there are others.
Congrats on getting closer to the finish line, anyway!
Not having primer and color overspray on the rest of the car/frame/engine/etc., is a BIG plus in my book. If the body is currently off the frame, which it sounds like it is, then I would go ahead and have it painted that way. That's just my opinion.
I'm sure there are others.
Congrats on getting closer to the finish line, anyway!

Joel Adams
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Speaking from experience, I would have it painted off the frame. A good shop will tape and protect all the touchy areas during re assembly and Dr.J is correct, the shop can get all the nooks and crannies with no overspray on the frame, etc.
I would definitely make it understood from the start that you want them to protect the paint during re assembly as touched up areas will show over time, if not right after.
my .02

HOWELL, NJ - USA
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If you went to the trooble to do a frame off, I would paint the body off the car to avoid overspray dulling the chasis finish and other components...
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Mounds View, MN - USA
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I recently painted a car that had a frame off just before I bought it. I thought I would save time by not taking the body back off the frame. I very carefully masked everything, and did my many coats of primer and paint. I then spent longer cleaning up that it would have taken it to lift it off in the first place. And I still have overspray in areas you would never guess.
I agree with the others. Paint it apart.
Larry
I agree with the others. Paint it apart.
Larry
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
Joel, thanks for the comments. Sounds like everyone agrees. David
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
Curtz, thanks for the comments...David
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
Larry, thanks for the comments. I'm going to do it off the frame. Everyone confirmed what I had hoped. David.
in Forum: C3 Body
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