Paint Prep Questions

[davery]

I think I am going to have my Spider painted, but want to do de-trim myself. How much of the trim can be realistically removed prior to painting? Is there anything that I should not try to remove? Any tricks anyone has picked up? I have heard the door handles are very difficult to remove, is that true? I was going to try and do the body work (first time), but have been encouraged not to attempt this. I'm not sure if it's that hard or they think I am an idiot. Any insights would be appreciated.

[seabeelt]

What year car? Also depends on how much you want to spend and what kind of paint job you want and if you are changing color or not. Remove bumpers, side lights, tail lights, head lights, hood trunk and side emblems, door/tunk locks, door latches, toop boot clips on the rear deck betweenthe top and trunk lid, door sills and side trim(chrome) grill surround in the fromt if you have one, grills, cowl grills.... The list can be quite extensive... so it depends......... Oh and did I mention the top..

[davery]

What year car? Also depends on how much you want to spend and what kind of paint job you want and if you are changing color or not. Remove bumpers, side lights, tail lights, head lights, hood trunk and side emblems, door/tunk locks, door latches, toop boot clips on the rear deck betweenthe top and trunk lid, door sills and side trim(chrome) grill surround in the fromt if you have one, grills, cowl grills.... The list can be quite extensive... so it depends......... Oh and did I mention the top..

I have an 85 and I am painting the same color. Front bumpers are already gone and the rear will be gone in a couple of weeks. I am getting a new top also, so I guess I take the old top off prior to sending it off to get painted. I have heard the door latches can be hard to remove. I thought I would also remove the wheel wells. The front grills and trim I have had out several times installing the front bumperettes. I am assuming the emblems/badges will need to be detached from the back? I have also heard the tail lights are prone to breaking when removing.

[azruss]

With anything old and brittle stuff, care must be taken to remove. There is nothing difficult removing the door handles, just some patience, a light touch and the right tools.

[rodman]

Just stripped mine last weekend to get it ready for paint.


Untitled by fiatcs2000, on Flickr


Untitled by fiatcs2000, on Flickr


Untitled by fiatcs2000, on Flickr

[davery]

With anything old and brittle stuff, care must be taken to remove. There is nothing difficult removing the door handles, just some patience, a light touch and the right tools.

I am really worried about the glass. Those gaskets are expensive. I think the vents can be removed frame and all. But the windshield, that's another issue.

[johndemar]

I wouldn't worry too much about removing the windshield. You can remove the cowl to take off the wiper arm stud connectors and the plastic vents. Other than that left rear bumper shock, everything is pretty easy to take off.

[davery]

Just stripped mine last weekend to get it ready for paint.

it is interesting that you removed the windshield, but left the vent windows.

[rodman]

Before I paint the vents will be out. I just have not taken them out yet. AS far as the windshield goes it was easy to remove just 2 bolts on each side it came right out....

Rodman