[Alfajay]

Patrick had asked:

"... the painter suggested that he returns the car to me with the exterior panels in primered state only (the interior areas will be painted) for fear of my scratching the paint/denting the bodywork while assemblying the car. He suggested that I install everything that resides inside/underneath the car, have him apply the final paint to the exterior, then proceed to finish the car by installing the windshield, trim, lights, etc., while masking off the interior, engine compartment, etc. Any comments? Has anybody done this before with good results? "

Well, no. Most people have their painter complete the painting, and then reassemble things. Sure, you may get some scratches and nicks in the course of reassembling things. These can be fixed, just like scratches and nicks you get once you start driving it.

The problem with painting the car after it has been assembled is that your painter will get overspray on the nicely powdercoated suspension, expensively restored gauges, new wiring harness, etc. etc. No matter what he says, paint will get everywhere when he completes it after assembly.

I am currently doing a comparable restoration to a Sprint GT. It was delivered to the media blaster on a dolley (and, yes, we found more rust and dents once the old paint was removed - better to find them and correct them, than to have old Bondo or rust come through you new paint!). The metalwork has been completed, and we are ready to begin painting. No question that ALL painting will be completed prior to interior work and reassembly.

Yea, these things get out of control. But, down the road, you're not going to look at it, and regret doing too much.

Regards