Paint job Prep

[Newkie]

Hey everyone, its been awhile.
Anyways, I am going to be painting my car in the summer and was wondering if I should put my fenders and hood back on prior to painting the car. The hood did not fit perfect when I took it off, and I figure trying to adjust it with a nice paint job on wont be fun either.
I thought it would be easier to paint and prep the car with them off the car. I had originally removed them to replace my sills, and as you all know, you not only have to remove the windshield, but fenders also. I have gutted the interior, and I didnt want to put the new carpet and seats back in until the car was painted. What do you think?

Newkie

 

[tony barnhill]

Prefit everything & then take it all back off to paint.

 

[heliguy]

Yep, paint it all seperatly, the only way to go. Tape the edge of the hood ( AFTER the paint has cured ) for the final fiddly bit of fitting the hood etc......

 

[Newkie]

Thanks...
I was going to paint the car myself, but have got an estimate on it for $1,500 from a professional who has painted quite a few MGB's just in case I go that route. I am also getting an estimate from someone that has painted alot of old cars, just not a MG. He probably will be in the $1000-$1400 range. Hows those prices sound for a good paint job? (I cant seem to find a booth that I can rent out, and I live in an area that I wont be able to do an outdoor paint job)
Also, should I go with the single stage polyurethane, or a base coat, clear coat enamel. We are talking about a base coat with 4 coats of clear over it. I am going to paint it GM's Victory Red.
Has anyone out there used that color on their car?
If so, how did it look all done.
Anyways, thanks for the advice, I will try to prefit the hood, and use tape on the hood after the paint has cured for the final fitting.

Newkie

 

[dklawson]

$1500 for a complete paint job? I would consider that an excellent price if you've seen the painter's previous work and it looks acceptable to you. I would confirm with him/her what he will do for $1500 and what you'll need to do to prep the car.

I used PPG's DCC paint system which is a two component urethane. It's not a base/clear system but is compatible with their DUU clear top coat. I don't know which system (single stage or base/clear) is more cost effective or longer lived. I'm sure others will post their experiences.

 

[ronzi]

Thanks...
I will try to prefit the hood, and use tape on the hood after the paint has cured for the final fitting.
Newkie

Take a look at the hinge arm and the hinge bracket on the hood. You should see two 1/8" holes in each. Apparently these were drilled at the factory to aid in re-aligning the hood after it has been removed. Every B I have looked at has these holes. I have a '64, and it has them, and the '78 I previously owned had them, too.
Loosely bolt the hood to the hinge, then slip appropriate-sized pins (I think I used concrete nails) in the holes, then tighten the bolts and you should be very close to perfect alignment, as long as the hood itself is not distorted.

 

[YankeeTR]

geez...That red paint alone is worth $300.00 per gallon...for PPG/DuPont or similar brand.

 

[PC]

If you plan on wetsanding the finish, make sure the painter knows it up front. That way, he can lay down enough extra film to sand some off.


PC.