Question on painting frame/parts

[32sbct]

I'll be blasting and repainting my frame this weekend. After the frame is painted I'll start putting on a whole new suspension, brakes, steering etc. My question is, after the frame is painted do you normally paint the parts (shocks, springs, etc.) before putting them on or do you assemble everything and then paint it once its all together? Also is there anything that attaches to the frame that does not get painted? Thanks for any suggestions.

[madmike]

You might clarify what you are working on. A USMC unit has almost everything painted their green and by the appearance of mine, many of the parts were dipped, judging by the runs. I suspect all parts were painted and taken off a shelf to be bolted on. Frame and other parts will get some overspray by hanging and painting and that may not look like what you want.

You don't mention undercoating so it's probably not a USMC unit. My suggestion would be to paint and then bolt on. Many of the bolts were not painted and that becomes an issue of preference. I am at the same place and I am painting everything first.

Hopefully you will get some more feedback to help your decision.

Mike

[ocwd]

I've been trying to paint everything before I bolt it onto the frame. Then I bolt it on. After that I use a small paint brush to primer and paint the nuts and bolts. If I had to start over, I would not install the brake lines and exhaust until right before installing the tub. That way I could give the whole frame and bolt-ons one coat of paint. Check out my thread below. You'll see different shades of OD and primer showing through where I missed with the paint. I would like to address these issues but the brake lines, exhaust, black parts, and unpainted parts make that difficult. In the end, I'll probably use a paint brush to touch up some areas.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... 36&start=0

[ikalimnos]

well I had the same problem

I decided to paint everything before and after that to bolt them together

I left the bolts with the zinc coating for now

maybe its not the most accurate military look but I keep thinking that maybe thats how it was delivered form the factory

also if you check on the picture below you will clearly see many bolts unpainted

[53a1]

Get the rust off by sand blast cabinet, wire brush or sand paper, phospho, prime paint each part seperate if you can. The key is don't be in a rush.

Get a cheapo sand blaster!!!! I've used mine on 90% of the parts and it works great. It's my most used tool.

If I could go back I would have done the brake and oil lines, yokes, hangers. I guess the more paint the better.

A little different from Dave's method, I like to prime the nuts and bolts before assembly and it doesn't have to be fancy. I just put them on a piece of cardboard and hit them with primer - it dries quick. Bolt them on and hit them with the matching spray can to seal things up. I can get away with this because I'm using flat OD. May not work as well with semi gloss.

I wire or blast all the nuts and bolts, phospho and prime.

Following this advice mine has turned out better than expected and paint is very solid.