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MG MGA - Painting sequence

As I approach the completion of my frame up restoration, I am wondering how to complete the painting. I have spent a lot of time re-assembling the body and getting everything properly aligned. My fear is if I disassemble for paint every piece will "spring" back to its original shape and I will damage the new paint or bodywork trying to get it back together. Anybody have input to this dilemma?
Bill

Bill,

Your perception of the risk is noted, but consider several things...

Done carefully, it will definitely come out better. You really do want to paint it first and then put the wing welting in. The best solution to any nicks is to touch them up with some careful airbrushing and / or color sanding. Paint it off the frame if at all possible. I constructed a large plywood platform on which I set the body. I found that painting the inner cavities first, then loosely attaching the wings, boot lid and bonnet is the best way. With the help of 3 friends, the body goes on and off fairly easily. I'm assuming you are working with a stripped shell. You will find a great side benefit of nicely detailed areas in the boot, engine bay and inner panels.

Best regards,

tom
Tom Balutis

Bill,
Tom is correct, definately paint the car dissassembled as you will get a better paint job. I have painted all three of my cars that way. Where there is a chance of rubbing during assembly I use tape on both parts until the fit is good. Remember after paint all your fits will change. You will probably have to use different shims than you used during mockup. Just be careful and take your time. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

Once the rust repair and body damage is repaired to the point shown here: http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/dh160016.html
Dissasemble and prime every thing inside and out. Next paint the inside surfaces of the body shell, the wings, the hood the trunk and the doors and both sides of the shutfaces, the inner fender panels and the dash. After the body shell is painted inside put it on the completed chassis for good. Hooking up eveything for the wiring fuel lines and brake lines that you can so that work won't damage finish paint. Refit the doors and shutfaces next as they are what the wings align to. Fit the 4 wings, the inner fender panels and the valance. Now do all the final body work, priming, sanding, and body fitting. Paint the top surface of the exterior of the body assy, the hood (bonnet), the trunk lid (boot) and the finishing pieces that go along the rockers. All the pieces that show should be painted at once. After painting, clear coat(if used), color sanding and polishing etc are done CAREFULLY loosen and install the fenderwelting a bit at a time so you don't loose the fit of the body panels. the trunk seal and bonnet rubber cushions go on after paint and before the lids, finish by installing the chrome pieces and lights.
Add petrol and enjoy.
R J Brown

Bill.
I cut some 3/8" washers in half. I took the two halfs and put them between the fender and body by a fender bolt from the inside of the fender. I used four or five sets per fender, This gave me a nice gap between the fender and body for painting without having to worry about the paint skinning over. I left them in until I was done wet sanding and buffing. I started at one end removing the washwes as I installed the fender welting.
Jim.
Jim Jensen

This thread was discussed between 26/07/2006 and 27/07/2006

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