timing of paint and body

[jimmythehand]

I am looking for some advice on when i should send my 68 camaro for paint and body(most metal work has already been done with nearly all new sheetmetal). Since i was starting with a rolling shell, my original thought was to basically build it to make sure everything fits correctly and then tear it all down for paint and body and then rebuild. Currently I have installed the front/rearend and engine/trans without problem. Should i continue to install the other components or am i just wasting my time by building it twice? thanks.

[jy211]

build twice, at least

[dhutton]

Driver or high end car? How much more "custom" work to do?

Don

[CJD Automotive]

...and make sure it goes to the shop with with any and all exterior trim and door and trunk rubbers/bumpers. The latter is critical to set the panel alignment.

[GregWeld]

Build EVERYTHING that is going on the car.... brake lines - fuel lines - wiring "runs" (holes or bulkhead fittings etc) not the actual wiring.... but where it's going thru the firewall... etc. How do you intend to hold the wiring.... will that need attachment points etc.

In other words -- what will you scratch or mess up doing it AFTER paint?

The beauty of raw is that - you decide something needs to move over 2" to the right and the hole is in the "stock" location..... Raw I can patch the stock hole -- and I don't mind using power tools to punch new holes etc in raw form.... Once that bad boy has paint and panel's aligned -- yeah! You're not going to want to move ANYTHING or punch a hole in anything.

So the right answer is ---- WHEN YOU'RE POSITIVE THERE IS NO MORE FABRICATION to be performed.... then it's ready for body and paint.

[Musclerodz]

put as much of it together as possible before paint and body. That way there are no surprises after paint.

[jimmythehand]

thanks for the input.