Cut and buff while disassembled or assembled?

M

MAKZ06

Newbie
This will be my first cut and buff so looking for advice… The F100 is currently still in pieces. I feel like for the most part it would be easier to do the job if I put it back together first. Not to mention getting any potential scuffs and scrapes out of the way before I start sanding….
I don’t have nice stands or tables that I’ve been working on through the project. All the sanding has been done with the doors and fenders laying in the back of the bed, requiring constant turning and swapping parts around.
Are there big advantages or disadvantages to doing the job one way or the other?
Thanks for the input.
 
I prefer to do it assembled. While it is easier cleanup to do it in pieces, when the vehicle is assembled the panels are held in place for you and not shaking around if you don’t have good stands, and any scratches from assembly can be addressed at this point too. In my situation I don’t want to have flawless panels sitting around with risk of getting bumped or tipped because I don’t have a good storage place for them.

The downside is you have to be extremely careful around adjacent panels when doing it assembled, so tape adjacent panel so you don’t burn through.

However I’m currently doing a 1970 F250. The cab is on a body cart and the bed is on a rotisserie. I will cut and buff those are they are before assembly, and will also do the hood off the truck since it is difficult to cut and buff installed. Hell, I might as well do the tailgate on a stand as well since it’s minimal to install. The doors and fenders will be cut and buffed after assembly.
 
Lizer said:
I prefer to do it assembled. While it is easier cleanup to do it in pieces, when the vehicle is assembled the panels are held in place for you and not shaking around if you don’t have good stands, and any scratches from assembly can be addressed at this point too. In my situation I don’t want to have flawless panels sitting around with risk of getting bumped or tipped because I don’t have a good storage place for them.

The downside is you have to be extremely careful around adjacent panels when doing it assembled, so tape adjacent panel so you don’t burn through.

However I’m currently doing a 1970 F250. The cab is on a body cart and the bed is on a rotisserie. I will cut and buff those are they are before assembly, and will also do the hood off the truck since it is difficult to cut and buff installed. Hell, I might as well do the tailgate on a stand as well since it’s minimal to install. The doors and fenders will be cut and buffed after assembly.
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sounds much like my thought process. having them solidly held in-place with no chance of vibration or movement would be the main factor. And yeah, through this whole multi-year painting process I’ve always worried and expected those bumps, bangs and scratches from stuff sitting around and constantly being moved and repositioned. My main goofs were all fortunately during the epoxy phase. I was always terrified that one or more of the fenders or doors would take a slide slamming onto the floor from their upright positions leaning against the old Cougar….
I figured for sure I would be doing the hood before putting it back on. It’s stored on top of the rear of the frame and is a good height and easily accessible without a lot of movement.
 
If you choose to do it assembled, do the roof first then work down so you’re not having to lean over a lower panel that was already buffed out. Helps reduce the chance of something like a power cord or air hose rubbing against a buffed out panel. And clean off any compound drops that might to get slung on to nearby panels before it dries because depending on the brand it can be very difficult to remove once dry.
 
Done it both ways. For something nice I like to do it in pieces. Clean up is easier, sanding is easier, buffing is easier. Hard to reach certain places to clean up when doing it assembled. Not that you can't do a nice job with it assembled, but IMO it's easier to do it while it's in pieces.
 
DavidL said:
If you choose to do it assembled, do the roof first then work down so you’re not having to lean over a lower panel that was already buffed out. Helps reduce the chance of something like a power cord or air hose rubbing against a buffed out panel. And clean off any compound drops that might to get slung on to nearby panels before it dries because depending on the brand it can be very difficult to remove once dry.
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Great tips. Thank you.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
Done it both ways. For something nice I like to do it in pieces. Clean up is easier, sanding is easier, buffing is easier. Hard to reach certain places to clean up when doing it assembled. Not that you can't do a nice job with it assembled, but IMO it's easier to do it while it's in pieces.
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Thanks. I can see advantages and disadvantages to both. Hearing from you and everyone helps think about the issues.
 
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