Restoring Car Off Frame

Q: Restoring Car Off Frame

Which is better to get done first…the body work/paint or the engine/suspension? It will be 6 months or so after I get one done before I can afford the other.

A: This is always a tough question, because you need to factor in the overall way in which you are going to go about it, what you will do vs. farming out, etc. It sounds as though you will be farming out the entire paint job, so this has major implications. Since I like a cherried engine compartment, this also enlists its own implications, so my approach is a little different. You also have to factor in whether or not the car is totally out of commission for both parts. For a job done right, 6 months is not much time to worry about in the long run. So, not knowing all the options that you are considering (DYI vs. body/paint)I will line things up to a middle-of-the-road approach.

Note: by ‘Prep’ I mean whatever it takes to get ready to paint (to the extent that you may do the work yourself) i.e. washdown, sandblast, sand, body work, primer/surfacing primer/ wet sanding surfacing primer etc.)

1. Remove all body panels from fire-wall to front

2. Remove Engine

3. Remove old suspension

4. Prep and Paint subframe (if doing yourself)

5. Rebuild new suspension

6. Prep firewall, front fenders and inner wheels, hood, hinges, core-support, brackets, supports, etc.(if doing yourself)

7. Prep remainder of the body

8. Reinstall subframe w/ suspension

9. Mask off frame and suspension From here it’s a personal call…

10. Reassemble front body (only because you are taking some place else to get painted. If doing it yourself, I would leave everything off and do step 12 first.

11. Send to be painted or DIY

12. Shoot from firewall back

13. Haul it back home

14. Carefully remove core support (if DYI, you would never have re-installed at this point. Paint separately and don’t install until after engine is in. Likewise for fenders)

15. Install engine compartment stuff

16. Install engine

17. Re-install core-support and fenders

18. Alignment time (most never racking when painted off the car)

Now this approach is not all inclusive, again because of varying factors, but it gives you things to think about. I try to consider overspray concerns, opportunities for scratches, spills, assembly difficulties (getting to things), etc.

Any proposed updates, changes, pictures, and/or corrections, please use our comment section below (may need to click on permalink to access comments feature). Information is subject to change and offered as is without any warranties or guarantees. Please review our Term's Of Use for more information.