Camaro/Firebird Panel Fittment W/O Subframe

[CamarosRus]

Have You Any Experience With Having Your Restoration Shop (or yourself) fit all the
Front Sheetmetal using a steel CART W/O using the Subframe to Fit all the Front
Sheetmetal ........and then later After Paint, then install Subframe/Rubber Bushings and all the Panels...............Just wanting to learn the reasons that this apparently is successful with
the shops that do this................

Im also curious to learn why so many shops paint doors, decklid removed from Body , when
one very well known shop paints like GM Originally did with Doors, Deck Lid installed

[juliosz]

The shop that's doing my 67 started all of the bodywork on the rotisserie then put it back on wheels for final work, gaps etc. Once done, back on the rotisserie and I took the subframe home, assembling that as well as putting in the engine and trans in. Once I completed the subframe, they put it back on wheels. Paint is done except stripes. Body will be completely assembled now, final gaps set then stripes laid-out and painted. The body shop guys wanted to do all of that final stuff with much of the weigh back on the wheels.

[L78_Nova]

Regarding painting in pieces... Modern paints (particularly base clear systems) are typically thicker in final mil thickness. They also do not melt in or blend like old lacquer or single stage enamels.
It would be difficult to control finish thickness and overspray if painted assembled.
Modern clear is best to spray to a crisp edge to avoid peeling back. Areas of indirect spray with clear are typically messy... can be dry, rough and cloudy appearance.

[CamarosRus]

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