Body Prep After the repair of some significant body rust, the Alfa's body can be prepped for professional body work and painting. As with any automotive paint job, a number of parts and accessories must be removed from the vehicle before it can be painted. Following is a summary of the steps in body prep performed by professionals at the body shop, as shown in the episode.
- With the body already removed from the chassis, the rear chrome bumpers are removed (figure A).
- As small parts such as the tail-light covers are removed (figure B), special note is taken of how they were originally installed so that this can be replicated as accurately as possible later on.
- Trim pieces, moldings and lights (figure C) are all carefully removed. For vintage cars, replacement parts may be difficult or impossible to find, so original trim and parts are retained for re-use wherever possible.
- Logos and marques are carefully removed (figure D).
- Removed parts are cataloged, bagged and marked (figure E) for later re-installation. Don't rely solely on memory for keeping track of these parts. It may be some time before they are put back on, and it will be difficult to remember how everything was originally installed.
- As much chrome as possible is removed from the vehicle body, including such pieces as radio antennas (figure F), door handles, side mirrors, trim and moldings. The more chrome pieces that can be removed, the less taping will be necessary before bodywork and painting can begin.
- The moldings around the headlight bezels are removed (figure G) so that the entire headlight assemblies can be taken out.
- With the headlights removed, the chrome on the front of the car can be removed as well -- including the chrome bumpers and grill insert (figure H).
- With all of the major accessories removed from the outside of the car, the body is wiped down thoroughly with a tack rag (figure I) to remove dirt and residues. Also at this point, a thorough body inspection can take place to identify dents, dings and scratches that might not be apparent with all of the trim in place.
- Wax residue is cleaned away where it has built up around and underneath trim pieces and moldings.
- After disconnecting the electrical wiring for the trunk light, the trunk lid is detached and carefully removed (figure J). Next, the front hood and doors are removed.
- With the doors removed, the door strikers and sill plates (figure K) can be removed.
- The rubber seal is then removed from around the trunk (figure L).
- Finally, with accessories and trim removed, and the body disassembled, the process can begin of masking off areas the areas that are not to be painted (figure M). Care is taken when masking of ensuring straight edges and lines.
Once masking is complete, body work and painting can begin. In the segment that follows, the Alfa undergoes some professional body repair.
RESOURCES :
Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible: A Hands-On Guide to Getting the Most from Your Alfa
Model: 0837607078
Author: Pat Braden
Order this book from Amazon.com
Bentley Publishers
Alfa Romeo Spider: The Complete Story
Model: 1861261225
Author: John Tipler
Order this book from Amazon.com
Crowood Press
Original Alfa Romeo Spider (Bay View Original Series)
Model: 0760311625
Author: Chris Rees, James Mann
Order this book from Amazon.com
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Essential Alfa Romeo Guilia & Giulietta Coupes & Spiders: The Cars and Their Story 1954-95
Model: 1870979591
Author: David Hodges
Order this book from Amazon.com
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Alfa Romeo: The Spirit of Milan
Model: 0750919582
Author: David G. Styles
Order this book from Amazon.com
Sutton Publishing
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