Paint

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Joined
Sep 19, 2025
Threads
3
Messages
8
Location
Tennessee
Thank you for all previous help
In the future I will be painting my FJ project. I had a question.
Paint assembled
Or
Paint in pieces?

Pluses and minuses?
I know my way around a spray gun.

IMG_1179.webp
 
Better coverage for primer and paint in pieces - less rust in the future. Yea you could scuff the paint in assembly so do the last 2 coats assembled. My flat paint was 5 coats on the outside and 3 on the inside. Almost 3 gallons to do inside and out. Roof outside not the liner. Just my opinion - not a purest or a paint/body man either.
 
Yup pluses and minuses! 😂

Depends somewhat on paint; single stage two stage (color and clear) manufacturers re-coat times, sanding etc. Any flake requires all one shot to get right. Ive seen both single and two stage done in pieces on mud; thats how I did my FJ45 way back turned out ok.

Parts somewhat often need tweaked on reassembly (FJ40 front clip often is hard to get right) and risks needing repaint; or you damage assembling (think of some of the exposed bolts too with lock like on WS)

Probably ideal is to paint everything interior, jams, semi-hidden panels and assemble then shoot exterior; thats how you paint most cars; but admittedly an FJ40 lends itself to paining pieces more than a typical car.

What NOT to do is buy new and used body parts and paint prior to complete test fit.
 
Great points.
I was thinking about the gaskets and visible hardware too. Original had screws painted over.
Paint in pieces, but Painted hardware is a flex and imo sets the truck apart from the rest.
 
Remove rust, pound out dents, prime, assemble, disassemble, paint, (single stage, much more forgiving for touchups) and assemble.

I used EDPM thin gaskets between the body and all hinges, tie downs, bid-to-fender, apron-to-fender, running boards.

New England is known for damaging corrosion. Where did rust develop on the OEM body? Every attachment point.
 
Thankx for the thoughts.
I’m thinking epoxy sealer then 2k primes and go with a two stage paint I like the color/clear finish.
Saw a cool color in a Subaru Baja storm.
 
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