Panel drilling-before or after painting

[Randy's]

I am leaning toward painting my aluminum panels before I drill the rivet holes. I see on the forum that many suggest drilling the holes prior to painting. What is the risk/problems with painting them first?

[GoDadGo]

Randy,

If you are going to paint, anodize, or powder coat you need to fit and drill them first.
Get at least 50-100 Cleco's to assist you with the drilling process.
Blue Painters Tape Is Also Very Useful!

Steve

[Straversi]

Scratching them. The panels are a bit of a pain to handle. When you are fitting them and drilling them you will learn how to handle them and manipulate them into place. Some need to be flexed a bit to get them in position. Some want to scuff and scratch the adjacent panels as they pop into place. I’d drill and de-burr and make some notes on how they go together. Then paint or powder coat.
-Steve

[cv2065]

I powder coated mine after drilling as well. Much easier to do the drilling and fitting all at one time.

[initiator]

Scratching them. The panels are a bit of a pain to handle. When you are fitting them and drilling them you will learn how to handle them and manipulate them into place. Some need to be flexed a bit to get them in position. Some want to scuff and scratch the adjacent panels as they pop into place. I’d drill and de-burr and make some notes on how they go together. Then paint or powder coat.
-Steve

This x2

[Bobby Doug]

This x2

X3, or you will regret painting them first.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Drill baby drill.

[Randy's]

Thanks for the advice, so glad I followed it!. I fitted and drilled my panels this weekend. Had I painted them first they would have been scratched so badly that I would have had to repaint. No question about it, always fit and drill first.