'40 coupe painting question: doors on or off?

[white64]

Doors on or off? I can see benefits and drawbacks to either. I will be painting the deck-lid and fenders off the body. I keep changing my mind about whether to put the doors back on... I have taken them off to epoxy prime them and do the body work, they will be finished soon.

I've painted some cars with the doors on and some without, what are your thoughts, what's the "norm"?

[Kube]

In my opinion, the more parts OFF the body for paint, the better the overall job. I see no "cons" of taking them off, only "pros".

[37 Cab]

I paint metallic paint with doors ect. on for match. Solid color.. like Kube says.

[Kahuna]

Doors OFF, in a vertical position, just like they are on the vehicle.

[john worden]

Originally Posted by 37 Cab

I paint metallic paint with doors ect. on for match. Solid color.. like Kube says.

Good advice.

[oz40]

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Ditto. what he said !!!!!

Originally Posted by Kube

In my opinion, the more parts OFF the body for paint, the better the overall job. I see no "cons" of taking them off, only "pros".

[deuce_roadster]

Same as what Kube says, exception being metallic colors.

[funrunr]

Don't forget to open/close or better yet, separate the hinges. Unlike someone I know didn't. (ME)

[Bored&Stroked]

Part of it depends on what you're doing with the jambs? If you're painting the jambs of the car and the doors, then you'll need them off for that (at least temporarily). Masking jambs off is a lot of work - but it is a lot easier when the doors are off. (I hate dry overspray in the jambs). You can mask, then gently put them back on for painting if need be.

As some noted, it is easier to spray metallic, candy and iridescent colors/paint with them on - or you risk having 'Zoro Stripes' and non-matching colors. If you've painted a lot, probably not an issue. Also, it is a lot faster painting a whole side of a car with the doors on - no question about it.

With all of this said, I like to have them off if at all possible.

[white64]

Was wondering about the hinges and hinge screws, it seems every time I've painted without the doors on... adding the "unpainted" screws chip the paint in the hinge when they're tightened. should the screw heads be body color? Am I over thinking this?

and the always problematic issue; alignment; aligning the doors requires moving the hinges repeatedly on fresh paint, and the possibilities of damaging the door or jambs in the hanging process...

[41Joe]

Couldn't you just remove the door hinge pins instead of the entire hinge. That would eliminate having to realign the doors, which can be a pain in the butt.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by white64

Was wondering about the hinges and hinge screws, it seems every time I've painted without the doors on... adding the "unpainted" screws chip the paint in the hinge when they're tightened. should the screw heads be body color? Am I over thinking this?

and the always problematic issue; alignment; aligning the doors requires moving the hinges repeatedly on fresh paint, and the possibilities of damaging the door or jambs in the hanging process...

You do bring up reasonable concerns.
Door alignment as you certainly realize should be perfect prior to painting. Thus, when installing the painted doors, realigning should be easy. Yes, perhaps an extra shim may be required but hey, they did align prior to painting - they will align after.
Be certain the body is properly bolted to the frame when fitting the doors, trunk lid, etc.
Heads of the hinge screws were body color as you surmised. Install the screws to the hinge and pillar and tighten the nut from behind. that way you won't damage the paint.
I tend to keep the paint a tad thinner on the back of the hinge and the "front" of the adjacent area on the pillar. An "extra" thickness of paint can make a difference in the alignment. At least enough that I can't accept it...

I will tell you - I have restored numerous extremely high point coupes. each and every one was painted in pieces. I will reiterate my earlier post and suggest you paint in pieces as well.

[Bored&Stroked]

What he said . . . in pieces is best . . .

[white64]

In Pieces it is! Thanks guys!

[FlatheadTed]

On the assemble line they painted them on ,do the edges then mask ,then paint the whole car .You run the risk of having a colour change even with solid colour also will help with texture ,. and you wont have alignment issues ether .Ted

[V12Bill]

I painted my 39 PU with the do0rs on. They were adjusted to fit first and then painted the jambs and shut the doors and painted the outside.

[Gumpy]

Doors on---no scratches or fowl language, plus save your back!

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Not me boy, I'd install the door have em fitted and working good, paint the inside, after it dries close the doors and pain the rest of the car, same with the trunk lid. Then I'd go to one of those high point places. Like hell. Walt

[petehoovie]

Worked in a Ford Plant - What FlatheadTed said above ^

[white64]

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

Not me boy, I'd install the door have em fitted and working good, paint the inside, after it dries close the doors and pain the rest of the car, same with the trunk lid. Then I'd go to one of those high point places. Like hell. Walt

LOL! Had to laugh Walt! Well it's now about 50/50! Doors on! Doors off!
They aligned pretty well before I took them off... I should've drilled the 1/8 inch alignment holes in the hinges when they were still on the car. Now I think I'll put the doors on! Maybe...

Eastwood gray epoxy primer...