How To Paint A Jeep?

I hope to paint my '68 cj5 project this summer. I'm going to spray it myself in the driveway. My project is someone else's failed dream. The jeep came completely disassembled, down to the last bolt. I had the rusted body parts sandblasted and primed (ITLKSEZ Paint and Body, Inc.). I've cut out and patched all the rusted panels. Now I'm assembling the jeep, fitting all the parts, wiring it, and getting it running. Then I plan to take it apart again and paint all the pieces, inside and out.



Here's the question. For all the brackets and parts that bolt to the body, do you paint them individually or do you mount them and paint them with the body? If I paint them separately, then the mounting bolts don't get painted unless I go through the hassle of painting them individually. If I paint the body parts with the brackets pre-mounted, then there's nothing but primer underneath the brackets, perhaps inviting more rust.



Here's an example -- the hood hinge. What's the jeep way to paint all these parts?

 

paint all pieces off the jeep . as to bolts poke hole in cardboard box and paint heads

 

I expect assembly will chip the bolt heads. I would assemble the body. Then I would paint the Jeep inside and out, like the factory did. The new Jeeps that I've seen did not have paint on the underside - they were e-coat down there. And the paint on the underside of the hood, inside of the fender liners and firewall was much less careful than the exterior paint. It looks like they left the dash off and painted it separately, since the bolts were raw zinc plate (as I recall). If you are using an epoxy primer, it will be plenty weather-proof and durable for any surfaces that don't get painted. BTW when I wrecked my first CJ-6, the dealership painted the new body top and bottom.

 

That's what I would recommend as well. With good paint on the hardware, you should be able to install them with minimal touch up if any. I use tons of painted hardware at work. As long as guys installing them don't go crazy with power/air tools the paint will hold

 

This procedure is for a total disassembled Jeep.

Painted the bottom of the tub and firewall off the frame. Then mounted the tub to the frame and painted the inside of the tub. Then the sides and top cowl. The fenders and hood can be painted separate.

 

I painted everything separate, than put it together. From your post it sound like this will be your first. Paint the under side of the tub first, this will be a good place to start. I painted the under side of my fenders and hood.Then next week end painted the tops of everything. When dpaint the tub, I painted the under side, then mounted the tub and painted the interior. Then I painted the exterior last. Try to paint smaller areas, this worked best for me. When every I try to paint a lot, things would go bad.

 

Painted in pieces then assembled. I used nylon flat washers under bolts and screws to prevent paint from popping. Tighten slowly then go back and snug down a little at a time.Mask off critical areas when doing assembly.

 

prime the parts, jamb the edges and under the hinges and such with paint, put it together , scuff everything you can see and apply finish.

 

I use all stainless bolts, nuts and screws with washers, it cost a little more but some day you may want to take it apart again. I found stainless carriage bolts at Lowes for mounting the body to the frame, I had to file the holes square but it is no big deal. Good Luck

 

For the visible hardware, did you then paint it or keep the bright finish? It's all personal taste, but I was just curious

 

I painted mine in pieces and used tape on my wrenches and sockets when putting everything back together.

 

Stainless bolts aren’t as strong as a graded bolt and they tend to gall threads upon removal if you choose stainless use plenty of never seize or they may never come out again.

 

Seems like every stainless bolt I’ve used in the last five years has been junk.

 

I don’t source them use what the customer brings or at my “real” job the boss gets them somewhere cheap.

 

What do you mean by "jamb" here?

 

Did you make a paint booth out of a Harbor Freight portable garage frame? That looks really good.

 

I finish prime and while the recoat window is still open I do the insides and all edges and any hinge spots basically anything covered by something else will get paint on it assemble the whole thing finish sand and apply finish. I like to spray everything in the orientation that it will eventually live.