Would you take a fully functional car to the body shop for paint?

[DCx]

I have been dreaming of doing my own paint and body on my 67 mustang. I realistically dont think I will ever have the time. I have stripped the car to bare metal and put every inch of the car in SPI epoxy. With that the car is fully functioning, wired and ready to be driven. It just looks needs glass, interior soft trim and body/paint.

So like the title states, would you take or drive your fully functioning classic/pro touring car to a shop for paint? would you fear theft of parts or abuse of the vehicle?

Sucks to have to think about these things, but that's what i fear. Undoing all my work to deliver a rolling shell is a no go for me.

[slimjim]

I had similar thoughts recently actually. I have done all of my bodywork and am looking for a painter to finish it out. Since then I actually put my car back into a shop I do trust to finalize a few mechanical and fab areas probably best to do prior to paint. But I decided that if I were to put it into a paint shop with someone I don't know/don't yet trust, I will provide it as bare as realistically possible, and protect the wheels as much as possible.

Too many PITA's in this industry unfortunately

[DCx]

Too many PITA's in this industry unfortunately

I agree!

you know i never thought about the wheels on the car. Mine aren't exactly fancy but I had them powder coated gloss black and the car needs them in order to roll around due to the size of the front rotors.

This is something to definitely consider. When I had my 69 camaro painted back in 2005 it was a rolling shell and completely gutted. It was a major PITA to assemble and LS swap a painted car. I don't want to do that again.

[Vimes]

I did, and had no problems. If you can't trust your car to the painter, you don't need to be using him to paint. Personally I want everything possible done prior to painting, because a whoopsie before paint becomes a #%@$$@%%#$@%@!!! after paint.

[79 Camaro]

Just put some rollers on it. Take anything out that will the body guys will have to work around. If you decided on a solid color they could body work and then spray in pieces. Metallic colors should be sprayed a with all body panels on the car.

[Rod]

yes, strip the car down,, but it better run because I will tell you nothing makes prepping your car SUCK, worse then having to push it around the shop...

[Bigblockscott]

We would always strip the cars down to nothing. Body dust gets everywhere. Yeah you can tape stuff up, and mask it off, but tape gets pulled and plastic and paper get ripped. Is it a pain in the ass? Yes. But unless you're going to pressure wash and detail every nook and cranny of that engine bay, interior etc..
And how are you going to body work and paint the firewall and engine bay with everything in the way?
Also, you can use 3/4" plywood as rollers. It's what my car is on, and I feel comfortable moving it around even with the engine and trans in it. I tried to attach a picture, but it won't let me.