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MG MGB Technical - Re-spray sequence.

G'day. I am just nearing the stage of my re-spray where the top coat will be going on. What is the general opinion on completing all the panels, doors etc and then re-assembling the car or re-assemble at the primer stage and top coat the car as a single unit.

Thanks
Tony
Tony Oliver

I've seen both done. With flat paint it shouldn't really matter, although if adjacent panels are done at different times with different refills of the sprayer vessel you may still get a visible difference when they are side-by-side. There is also the risk of damaging the top coat if things are reassembled last, unless they are left some time to harden off. There shouldn't really be any visible areas of primer if top-coated with everything assembled - unless you really try! You could go for a half-way house and do a thin top-coat with things apart and the final coats assembled.

The front wings is one area where part painting at least should be done off-car. As a minimum I'd do the edge of the scuttle, the edge of the wings and the strip as three separate items.
Paul Hunt 2

Thanks Paul. I got the scuttle and the edge of the wings bit, what do you mean by the 'strip'?

I like the idea of the half-way house.

Cheers
Tony
Tony Oliver

I'm guessing here, but perhaps Paul is referring to the bead between the wing and scuttle, at the base of the screen post.

Derek Nicholson

That's it.
Paul Hunt 2

Hi guys,
Tony what paint type are you using, 2pac ?
Im about to start primming my shell,do you have any tips or pitfalls to watch out for ?

Cheers
Warren
Warren Barrett

You should be able to paint different panels at different times and have no trouble with color match unless you are using a metalic color, With metalics you should spray everything at the same time unless you are really good at laying down metalic paint and have a controlled atmosphere.
John H

Standard prodecure in the auto-body class that I am in is to paint first and assemble later if at all possible.

FWIW

Larry

69 C in restoration
Larry Hallanger

Thanks Gentlemen.

I am using 2 pack. It is only my second attempt at this, I am normally an Acrylic man. I can't really give any tips to you Warren as I am still learning myself, except for this, once you have mixed the paint and the hardener get it on the car quick and clean the gun quick. It's very hard to get the paint out of the gun once it goes off!

I did my last car (a ZA Magnette) in Acrylic and then assembled it. I wanted to try to avoid all the chips and scratches it acquired on re-assembly so that is why I started this thread.

Seems to be an each way thing. Some say do, some say don't assemble first. I am inclined to put it together and give it a go, I can always take it apart again if it doesn't work.

Thanks for your input.

Tony
Tony Oliver

Paint everything except body but DO NOT paint fenders off car. That is wrong!!! Fenders were an example of the poor british workmanship and WILL CRACK the paint. You have to bend the lower fender in to attach it because it's not stamped right.

You will like 2-stage paint. I have seen one guy boast and boast about how great his single stage is; as shiny as 2-stage. Then when he walks away everyone starts laughing at how he needs glasses.
The Painter

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2007 and 01/02/2007

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