Hello everyone

Time has come to repaint my 88 GT. Car had perfect paint, almost all original, but an unfortunate incident has damaged the paint in several spots so I will need to get the car repainted. Would you believe that a faulty wire going to the starter motor shorted out... causing the starter motor to engage while car was parked and in first gear. Car went right through a friend's garage door, scratching the crap out of the paint and destroying the garage door. Creepy but true.

I like the stock red, though may want something a little different this time. The Audi S3 has a really nice blue that I like too, but changing colors may be difficult unless I get panels pulled?

To paint a fiero properly (assuming I take it to a reputable shop), Is it better to remove any panels? If I keep the car red, I assume there is less need for disassembly? Mirrors/ trim/ tail lights. etc should come off to avoid accidental overspray?

I am looking for high quality, long lasting paint, not cheap fix. Would appreciate any suggestions/experience with this.

Also, are any of the new " ceramic coatings" worth it, or is it sales fluff? This is a car I plan to keep for many more years.

Thanks

My Formula was black with a maroon rear clip when I took it for paint. The decklid was... white?
I removed my rockers, wheel well liners, lower quarters, side moldings, engine grills, and all the black trim around the back window area.
Also removed my mirrors and bumper emblems.
Wanted to make it as easy as possible for my painter to do a good job.
Mirrors, lower quarter (scoops), and lots of the removed trim were painted off the car, and then reassembled.
(I ran out of skill and patience when mudding the whaletail. I asked my painter to finish it.)

Before paint. Still had the rockers and lower quarters.


Just after paint, and reassembly.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 08-06-2022).]

I don't understand panel-off paint jobs on these cars especially if a person wants a metallic color. To try and match the exact application of coats per panel so the metallic looks even is very difficult. Metallics should be sprayed as 1 big panel to keep the flake pattern even so you don't have blotches of metallic, unless you have a VERY good painter.

If you have a good painter, he can work around any issues on the car. The items in green are what I would remove. The reason I recommend the headlight doors be removed is so the painter can spray the inside lip of the hood as well as the entire edges of the headlight doors.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-06-2022).]

thanks for the advice.

Is it a lot more hassle to change colors? Should I expect to pay more?

quote Originally posted by cam-a-lot: thanks for the advice. Is it a lot more hassle to change colors? Should I expect to pay more?

It shouldn't be more and it's no hassle to change colors because our cars have no matching door jamb paint. The only thing they need to spray is the sill plate. The rest for the door jamb and door is black.
On new cars where part of the door, hinges, and jamb are color matched, yes it is more hassle. Even the undersides of the decklid and hood are black so really the only thing the painter has to worry about is the exterior.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: ... The items in green are what I would remove. The reason I recommend the headlight doors be removed is so the painter can spray the inside lip of the hood as well as the entire edges of the headlight doors.

I forgot... I did remove my headlight doors. Of course I removed the tail lights. Figured that was "a given".

There are jambs to be painted. Inside the "frunk", and under the decklid.
My painter got those, too. He also painted the bolt heads, but not a big deal.

I recommend taking the panels off. And any reputable painter would recommend so as well. It is next to impossible to prep around moldings and items. Also any reputable painter won’t have any issues keeping consistent when painting metallics and pearls. Yes there are a lot of variables with the way metallic lays but the truth is the metallic will lay different on the bumpers than it will with the doors and that will even lay different than the hood and smc panels. The substrates are different which hold static different and makes the metallic flop different. Go to the dealer and look at a high metallic or Pearl car. You will notice the bumpers don’t match the fenders and quarters. Painted at the same time in the factory. Every fiero I have painted has been panel off. Except the roof skin, and I have never had any color match issues and I don’t have any hardliners and chances for paint to peel at those hard lines where things are not properly prepped. Truth is one person can usually have it disassembled in a day. A little more time to reassemble but worth it. Just my 2 cents.

Painted the orange car 5 years ago and the white one I just finished up this year.
13 was done last year and the blue about 4 years ago. All holding up strong.

[This message has been edited by Awalker W02 (edited 08-07-2022).]

Thanks for the replies

I am still torn about panels off or not. I have decided to keep the car red. My concern about panels off is that it is impossible to find a body shop locally who has experience taking panels off a Fiero. In other words, they may be "learning" on my car..

By panels off, I assume you are also suggesting removing all the moldings, door trim (car is GT), bumper covers, etc?

What are some areas of concern I should warn the body shop about when removing Fiero panels without previous experience? Any special (or unusual) tools needed?

I saw a nice 2019 Jetta R Line today with a red that I think would look good on a Fiero. Slightly deeper red than mine

[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 08-20-2022).]

quote Originally posted by cam-a-lot: Thanks for the replies I am still torn about panels off or not. I have decided to keep the car red. My concern about panels off is that it is impossible to find a body shop locally who has experience taking panels off a Fiero. In other words, they may be "learning" on my car.. By panels off, I assume you are also suggesting removing all the moldings, door trim (car is GT), bumper covers, etc? What are some areas of concern I should warn the body shop about when removing Fiero panels without previous experience? Any special (or unusual) tools needed? I saw a nice 2019 Jetta R Line today with a red that I think would look good on a Fiero. Slightly deeper red than mine

Panels off can be done but make sure your painter can handle the job and is willing. It will add much to the cost.

Also does the entire car need painted. Mine I have only done some panels from an accident or added to the car. Half of it is original paint yet.

It is good enough that I won best paint about a year ago over a lot of very expensive GTO paint jobs.

[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 08-20-2022).]

This is a panel off paint job. Ask yourself if it's necessary when simply going to a darker shade of red. Then the painter has to worry about adjusting gaps in the panels and broken fasteners.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-20-2022).]

I would much rather adjust panel gaps than have to readjust the gun to get into gaps and cracks and not have to bend over backwards and upside down to get around everything, not only with painting but sanding. And what broken fasteners? In reality the only thing that breaks are the belt molding clips. $12 for new from the fiero store and another $20 in rivets.

Currently working in one I started 2 weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/6F1Oeca_mGk
4 hours worth of work and a change of clothes to work inside all in one day.

Just be aware that some of the most striking colors on high-end car models, like the R-Line mentioned above, as well as Acura Type S, BMW M vehicles, etc. receive 3-stage paint jobs from the factory. I certainly would not recommend a 3-stage paint job for a DIY beginning painter.

But even if you are having your car professionally painted, it's considerably more expensive in both materials AND labor. Touch-up and repair are considerably more difficult for 3-stage paint jobs as well.

Thanks everyone

I think there have been some good videos on youtube showing how to remove the body panels. I am thinking of going panel off for this paintjob, but ask the body shop to watch the videos instead of guessing. Any suggestions on the best video or instructions out there? Roof panel would stay on.

Yea I usually keep the roof and rear upper quarter on unless for some reason we have cracked glass in that area.

Where are you located?

[This message has been edited by Awalker W02 (edited 08-22-2022).]

I have painted alot Fiero's the last 15 years. Panel off is the only way to properly repaint a Fiero. Regardless of color change or not. BTW I have sprayed many a metalic color on the panels and if you spray the same way there is no problems. As for the fasteners there is an expense of roughly 150 dollars or more and trust me you want to replace them all. Alignment of panels is easy and you can get gaps better than factory adjusted if you know what you are doing. As far as a good shop there are most likely very few that know the Fiero. Expense expect to pay a preminum for a good job do your research. I know

Thanks for the input

Will take it to a shop and likely go with panel off

I assume all the sanding is done while panels are on the car, then they get removed?

quote Originally posted by cam-a-lot: Thanks for the input Will take it to a shop and likely go with panel off I assume all the sanding is done while panels are on the car, then they get removed?

Honestly it’s easier with them off to sand

thanks. I am also thinking it may be time to consider a wrap instead of paint. I know the scratches need to be fixed prior to wrap.. any thoughts on wrapping the car?

I had my truck wrapped professionally and really disliked it so much that I sold the truck. I tried another wrap company about a year later on my car thinking it would turn out better, but was disappointed again. Not to mention the wrap jobs were fairly expensive and comparable to a standard paint job price.

I know some people love wrap but it really didn't work out for me either time.

My only comment is pull the body panels off, it does not take that long. This way you are not painting over body fasteners and you get a better detailed look.



Jack

thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback.

Have received some great feedback and PMs

What is the consensus if removing panels. Do the sanding work BEFORE or AFTER panels are removed? Planning to remove everything except roof panels and drip rails. Drip rails look too fragile to remove without bending them

thanks

I'd sand as much as possible with the panels on the car, when they aren't mounted the surface won't be as rigid so you can have some issues finding high/low spots and or create some high or low spots that you wouldn't have with the panels mounted.

Panels off is definitely the route to go when you're ready to paint.

[This message has been edited by Steel (edited 09-01-2022).]

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[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-31-2022).]

I painted my ‘87 coupe myself and changed the color from maroon to Rust-Oleum sail blue. I took the panels off so I could rattle can the edges and back sides to ensure I covered all the old maroon.

For most panels, sanding was easier with them off the car, especially the front and rear fascias. I was planning to spray them off the car, but they were taking up so much space, I put them all back on before spraying.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 09-01-2022).]

If removing all the panels ion a fastback fiero , can I leave quarter windows in during removal and paint ? Mine are still pretty good and I would prefer to not remove them if not necessary

I have been looking for a good video or step by step guide for removing all the panels on an 86-88 GT. Any suggested Links ?

Thanks

quote Originally posted by cam-a-lot: If removing all the panels ion a fastback fiero , can I leave quarter windows in during removal and paint ? Mine are still pretty good and I would prefer to not remove them if not necessary I have been looking for a good video or step by step guide for removing all the panels on an 86-88 GT. Any suggested Links ? Thanks

You can leave the quarter windows in but take extra care in masking them off. Fine line tape stuck to the edges of the windows (use a popsicle stick to get good adhesion) and then folded down on the window will give you something to mask to. From personal experience, you don't want to leave the take on for too long because if you do it's hard to remove and you can really mess up the plastic.

Also, I suggest you remove the drip rails. It's not hard - there is a tread in FAQs (https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum9/HTML/000027.html). Mine are off and I think it makes for cleaner lines. The downside is you can get wet getting out of the car after a rain shower.

Decided to go with a wrap after a lot of back and forth on this. Will post pictures in case anyone is interested. Thanks again to all who took time to offer their suggestions.