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some people think I'm crazy...

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T

TexasKnucklehead

Jedi Knight
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Tr3aguy said:
Tex, You getting pumped up now?
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My wife and I were laughing and making fun today, like we often do, and we came up with a notion. Now that the TR3 is all 'primed and ready to go', what if I just assemble the TR3 as it is. I know it's several shades of gray, and the welds are easily seen, as well as the imperfections in the sheet metal, but so what? I mean will the epoxy primer hold up without a top coat? If so, I could have this car drivable in a few months, and I've never driven it. I can paint it later when I have a little more time and could take my time getting each panel 'straight' while enjoying the drive. -And I wouldn't have to worry about door dings.

Thoughts?
 

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No, not crazy but signing up for additional work of dissembling and having to re-prep etc. Epoxy should keep it protected OK if <span style="text-decoration: underline">everything</span> was covered.
 
Sounds like the 4th book of the series that all the ladies are reading "Several Shades Of Gray"
 
While I think that it will seem, and actually will be cool for a while, you will be sorry that you put it all together without painting it, when you have to take it apart to finish it someday.
 
Rat rod TR3!!! A buddy of mine did something like that with a Karmann Ghia. He stripped it to bare metal, did all of the welding and metal work, then left it outside for a month. Rusted up to a nice patina then he clear coated the whole thing. To top it off he installed all new chrome and trim pieces. It was quite the hit at all the local car shows.
 
I agree, don't do it.... right now you have the cake but it will taste better once you get the frosting on it :smile:
 
Yes, very hard to paint after assembly. I would think about some kind of top coat for the epoxy primer if you decide not to paint now. I think the epoxy is quite sensitive to UV.
Tom
 
Think you can get it done by the end of October? I say go for it! I'll help too if you want..

Actually I'm on the bubble here - you've done a great job on the body work, it does deserve a paint job as the next step. Any chance you can get a topcoat on the engine bay/interior first? You could make that paint job a lot easier if so.
 
That'd look cool! The grunge look.

The epoxy will stand up to anything, except extended UV exposure. The sunlights will break it down, and that's why all epoxy paints use a urethane topcoat as a sunblock. But, as long as it's garaged and only driven occasionally, it'll last a very long time before it does.

John
 
Sounds like a plan to me. My brother did that with one of his projects, only he used the red epoxy primier. It held up real well. Later on he top coated it with no issues. That way you get to drive it and enjoy it. Besides that, it gives you more time to decide on the finish color; you may want to go with something different.
 
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