Oddball question about painting the body before or after installation

[InigoMontoyo]

Want to ask an oddball question about whether it is smart to send the body (uninstalled from the frame) to the body shop to get prepped and painted before installing on the ready car, or should it be fitted and bolted to the frame before painting? I ask because it becomes much more difficult to get every nook and cranny, sill plate, hinge, etc., once the body is all together and on the completed car. I'd prefer to have the inside of the car fully match, so that the gel coat isn't visible inside the roof, doors, engine bay, etc.

Or is disassembly part of the process for getting it paint ready at a well regarded body shop?

What have the members of the forum done? Any regrets on doing it the way you did the paint?

[michael everson]

I always fit every thing first. Then send the whole car to the body shop and let them do all the finish gaps and fitting. Then they remove the body and paint it. Reinstall once its done.
Mike

[AC Bill]

It would be tempting to do that, but that just wont work...The shop will have to fit the doors, trunk, and hood..on the chassis, before painting. Even the installed windshield plays a roll. Plus chances are good, that you will need to open up some of the factory holes for side pipes, windshield, roll bars etc, and you can't do that without a trial fit on the chassis.

The big risk of doing the body and paint beforehand, then dropping it on the chassis is, it will look like a kit car..

[InigoMontoyo]

I always fit every thing first. Then send the whole car to the body shop and let them do all the finish gaps and fitting. Then they remove the body and paint it. Reinstall once its done.
Mike

OK-it sounds like a good body shop will take care of that. Thanks for the advice!

[InigoMontoyo]

Thanks, Bill!

[WIS89]

IM-

I think you got some sound advice already, so I won't add my voice to it!

Frankly, I just wanted to applaud you on your screen name! CLASSIC!

Regards,

Steve

[snakebit31]

I'll add my experience to the mix.
I did all of my body work on wooden body bucks, then fitted the body, nose and doors to the car. Once I had all of the gaps to my liking, I removed the body and painted on the body bucks. Even refitting, it took some finesse to have all of the components line up as before.
I test fitted the windshield prior to painting, then installed it after the body was attached.

HTH,
Rob

[AC Bill]

Frankly, I just wanted to applaud you on your screen name! CLASSIC!
Regards, Steve

Yup it's a good one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JGp7Meg42U

[Timb]

I mounted everything and got my gaps where I wanted them then we taped everything off and shot with it mounted. Took a bit more prep to tape everything off but there were no issues with damaging or getting everything to line up putting it back on. Just another method