Best way to paint an Ultima? Body on or off?

[Davrianman]

Hi all,

Getting towards painting my car in the next 4-5 weeks and I'm wondering the best way to do it?

Currently the body is loose fitted with all the cut outs etc done. I now need to bolt it together to get the shutlines sorted, but I cant do it properly until the side pods are fixed.

Do you paint the body before fixing to the car, or is it best to do afterwards? Each has it's advantages / dissadvantages I guess...

Also does anyone know of a good painter they would recommend? Just got a quote from RMC Bodyworks, but I don't think I can afford his prices unfortunately...

Cheers,
Mart

[Stig]

I had the Can-Am painted before fitting the body - however, this was because I completely changed the colour from red gel-coat to pearlescent blue.

Whilst this meant that the bits you couldn't see were also the right colour, it also mean that getting a decent colour match between panels is nigh on impossible!

In fact, I had to get it done again once the bodywork was on.

So my advice (and the factory's come to that) is to get it painted once the body is on, but unadorned with lights/windows etc. to make masking easier and therefore prep work cheaper.

[Davrianman]

Cheers Stig,

I think I am coming to the same conclusion... Just need to find a good painter now!

Thanks,

Mart