Remove windows before painting?

[Gone Kayaking]

So as many of you know, I have done most of the restoration and put my 56 on the road looking ugly on the outside. I'm getting her ready for her October debut at a big bluegrass festival (she's gonna be part of the backstage set for the likes of Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin) so I am getting ready to paint.

Most of the original paint is on pretty good so I am cleaning with tsp and sanding but not stripping off everything. Here's my question... do you think it's okay just to mask the windows or should I take them out and put them back in after painting?

I'm really hoping that the prevailing opinion will be that it's okay to mask them. I just polished and re-installed with new butyl and gaskets last summer, so I'm really hoping not to have to do it again.

[vikx]

I see no reason that you can't. It's a PAIN to mask but also a pain to install paper masking in the window opening.

You will have to remove the eyebrows tho...

[dawgpound]

DITTO........

[universalexports]

yeah, most car paint jobs they just mask off anthing they dont want to paint, be sure to use good painters tape, not brown masking tape (it can be a pain to remove and pull up paint). and even the blue tape can be a pain to remove if it sits in the sun a few days.
make sure to really push down on the tape on the edges to get a good seal all over. Paint overspray will find the smallest of holes.

[kto17]

A few notes on painting tapes. There are different tapes for different purposes. They use different adhesives to bond to metal for automotive than drywall and trim for houses.

More importantly is the bonding time. These tapes are only made to be on for short periods of time, not days or weeks. The longer you leave them on the harder they are to get off and more damage they may do to your new paint.

I'm lucky enough to have a friend that is a rep for 3M and really knows his stuff.

[Redwings]

Wow! Your trailer is getting pretty famous!!

I agree with everyone up above. Being the very OCD trailer person I would also consider taping off the j-channel and awning rail. I always prefer the nice aluminum look on the edges over them being painted. But that also can be a real pain....

I can't wait to see her painted.

[Scott]

I have had great results with "Frog" brand painter's tape. It is green and is sold in a resealable plastic container. Much better than blue painter's tape. I think Home Depot and Ace Hardware carry it, but I would call first. On a vintage Bethany pop-up I left frog tape on for several weeks and it still pulled with no disintegration. It leaves a cleaner paint line than blue painter's tape.

[soup]

Sept 9, 2012 1:15:52 GMT -5 vikx said:

I see no reason that you can't. It's a PAIN to mask but also a pain to install paper masking in the window opening.

You will have to remove the eyebrows tho...

Ditto X2 to all above!
It's way easier to mask a window that is in than a window hole to keep spray out.
Don't tell anyone but here the last 2 car paint jobs I have only been masking trim and then razoring the overspray off the glass with soapy water and a new single edge razor.
I find as I get older I find easier/lazier ways of doing things.
But wouldn't do on a Shasta.....yet!
X2 also on the eyebrows (drip edge) and J channel off, gives a chance to reseal...unless you NEEDED to reseal windows....
Now the mask step is where not rushing and being percise really pays off in the end. The better the mask job, the better the paint job.
Good Luck and enjoy doing it. The painting is the MOST fun of any step in the whole process.

[Gone Kayaking]

Thanks everyone.....I've actually got painted j channel and awning rails to begin with so I think I'm gonna leave em on. I will definitely remove the eyebrows. I've got the green tape.

For some reason, this is the most intimidating step of the process to me--weird because it is definitely not the hardest. Maybe it's because the result is so visible.

[flyingham]

kto is on the money. Masking tape should be on and back off within a couple of days, max. the adhesive just becomes better friends with your project as time goes on. And yes, masking works. I would almost bet that the factory had temporary "plates" or something to speed up the process.

[maj]

I recently spoke to a professional auto painter who specializes in classic cars and trailers. He informed me that either way is possible. However, if at all possible, it is best to remove the windows. This creates a cleaner and more professional paint job. This way, the paint gets under all the window frames, which cars don't have (hence why they often just mask them). He explained to me that painting by masking can be very noticeable even when done by a professional, removing the windows is simply a cleaner more sured process. However, taping is an acceptable option.

Hope that helps.

[Gone Kayaking]

I'm quite sure that a more pro job would be accomplished by taking the windows out, I'm guessing it will work out fine....I'm sure there will be areas to touch up etc....

If I had brand new skin I'd probably make it as professional looking as possible, but my skin on the sides is definitely 56 yrs old and like me, shows the scars (minor) of life.

[Redwings]

Yes, the painting part can be intimidating. Pick a section that won't be hugely noticeable and start there. It will turn out just fine and give you courage to tackle the rest. You can do it! (And I'm also voting for leaving the windows in and masking/papering them off--that's how we did our '64 Jet)

Here is a link to Kev's demo on painting. If you haven't already seen this, it may help relieve your jitters.

vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=paint&action=display&thread=2679



And, those scars (minor) have been well-earned and show great depth of character.

[harrison429]

i found the painting part to be the most scary too. i think it's because of how much work it would take if i messed up, especially on coat 2 or 3 or worst of all the last! but it all came out fine. i taped using the green frog tape (for the z-stripe) but i also removed the tape within a couple of hours of painting, while the paint is in between wet and dry because I've found it to give me a cleaner line and prevents pulling off any paint. i know it will come out great and i can't wait to see the pics!!

[Gone Kayaking]

THanks Lynn and Diane I know it will turn out fine....and that's an excellent idea to start where it won't matter....I probably even have a scrap that I can practice on! I'm also feeling encouraged because another vintage owner (SOB) that I met when she called me for a reference on the woman who I bought my trailer from is going to come and help me. Guess she figures she's owes me one for steering her clear of all the heartache and hard work that I had to go through. Kharma payback maybe.

[vikx]

Oh Man, "she's" still cheating folks??? How do we stop it?

Have fun with your paint job, GK!! VK

[Gone Kayaking]

That was about a year ago--and I warned her off the purchase-- but ....Tin Inn is still in biz, just checked their website and will take credit for the fact that there is actually a in progress pic of the 57 being reframed on there.

[capnjonny]

I just removed the windows from my 65 Compact and I have to say it was much easier than I thought it would be. My suggestion. Pull one and see how you feel about it. You will then probably do them all. If you mask you have a paint edge exposed and that is where the paint will want to degrade. I have seen painted cars where this happened. If you remove the window and then paint the paint job should look good longer.

I am a cabinet maker and I spray cabinets on a regular basis. I often have to mask off the interiors if the outside is a different color. Get your self a masking gun and it makes the job much easier. You should be able to buy one at a good paint store. You can also get masking paper that is pre glued . Just unroll and apply. one edge has adhesive on it.