Video of Installing Painted Body

[32J]

Wondering if anyone has a video of installing a painted body on the roadster. I've read different opinions on whether to paint the body on, or off, the frame. I'm on my first build, and I've never really worked with fiberglass, let alone painted fiberglass. When I first removed the body from the frame, I remember the body flexing quite a bit, especially at the bottom of the door jamb. How do you know the finished paint won't wrinkle or crack when the body flexes as you put it back on the frame?

Thanks,

32J

[rich grsc]

because 7000 (?) bodies have been done that way

[wareaglescott]

because 7000 (?) bodies have been done that way

It is a very valid question for those of us who have no experience with it. Honestly that is not a very helpful answer at all. Wish I had something to offer but I had the painter install my body and have no idea what the process is.

[egchewy79]

Jkleiner has posted pics in the past of the body installation process and he does this solo with ropes/pulleys. Try to find some of his posted pics on this forum or the other.

[abdw-wcw]

...Honestly that is not a very helpful answer at all. Wish I had something to offer but I had the painter install my body and have no idea what the process is.

And your comment is helpful?

[rich grsc]

It is a very valid question for those of us who have no experience with it. Honestly that is not a very helpful answer at all. Wish I had something to offer but I had the painter install my body and have no idea what the process is.

My reply was concerning damage to the paint and fiberglass

[Peeker]

Rich,
I love ya man, but if a guy asks a question, it’s because he doesn’t know. Just like every single one of us did not know/doesn’t know till they have done it.
Ed

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jkleiner has posted pics in the past of the body installation process and he does this solo with ropes/pulleys. Try to find some of his posted pics on this forum or the other.

I've never done video of the body going on but have done this one taking a body off:

https://www.facebook.com/jeff.kleine...1380806317944/

Going back on is pretty much the reverse, I just go a little slower with smaller changes and keep a close eye to be sure it's not hanging on weatherstrip, door hinges and such. Honestly, for me I find it easier to go on and off solo than with a helper. Here's a photo of one ready to be lowered into place...



And (according to the time stamp on the photos) here it is about 10 minutes later...




If the flexing from installation causes cracking or delamination you've got bigger problems.

Cheers,
Jeff

joeldbodyon1.jpgjoeldbodyon2.jpg

[chmhasy]

I like the use of PVC piping to hold the sides out as you slide the body down. nice idea

[CraigS]

I use the 2x4 like Jeff shows and then I use a ratchet strap w/ lots of padding from the hood opening to the trunk opening. This way the 2x4 keeps the body from collapsing together and the strap keeps it from expanding. I was always helping someone who had never done it before and usually any extra helpers also had never done it before. So my extra caution was a good thing in a couple of cases where someone said to move in some direction and that was misunderstood and the move went the wrong way. This is one of those deals where all the worry beforehand is a good thing so your are prepared, but you find it takes maybe 5 minutes total and was really pretty easy to do.