Stepside fenders on or off for paint?

[dhenderz]

Just finished laying down 2 coats of epoxy primer on the new Mar-K bed sides, front panel and tailgate. Getting closer to laying down some paint, probably over Christmas break. I am planning on assembling the bed sides and front before paint. But now I am contemplating whether to bolt the fenders (and steps) to the side panels before paint.

I am not worried about rust because everything is coated in epoxy primer. And not really concerned about paint inside/behind the flanges and seams. I am leaning towards assembling everything before paint. It would certainly lessen the chances of any damage to fresh new paint during the assembly process.

Anyone faced this situation? Any input on fenders on or off for paint?

 

[RecklessWOT]

It would certainly be quicker and easier to paint with everything assembled. But you know leaving them off is the right way to do it

 

[dvdswan]

Apart would be my opinion. You wouldn't get a good coat assemble to the underside of the bedrail lip or the inner top portion of the fender.

 

[Preston]

Agree, mine was painted together and there wasn’t a good coat of paint put under the top rail and above the fenders

 

[shiftpro]

You still need normal primer. You can't sand epoxy primer, it's basically a sealer afaik.. It doesn't fill the micro scratches and pits.

 

[dhenderz]

You still need normal primer. You can't sand epoxy primer, it's basically a sealer afaik.. It doesn't fill the micro scratches and pits.

The side & front panels and tailgate are brand new (Mar-K, really nice parts). They don't require 'normal primer', just the epoxy to provide added rust protection. I will need to hit these parts with 400 grit or a scotchbrite pad before paint because it will be more than 7 days before I get to the paint (the epoxy hardens and basecoat will not stick). And at that point I will lay down one more coat of epoxy primer, reduced (thinned) to act as a seal coat before applying the base coat.

The fenders are original. So those got 2 coats of epoxy (for rust protection), skim coat of filler, and then polyester primer surfacer. These will get the epoxy seal coat before basecoat, just like the rest of the bed (and cab) parts.

I use SPI's products, except for basecoat because they only make 6 colors (black, white, orange & 3 reds). I really like their products, especially considering the price point. Years ago I always sprayed PPG, which is really nice product. But outside of their Shopline product, they have just gotten crazy with pricing. So I generally use PPG's Shopline for basecoat and SPI for everything else, including clear.

 

[bucket]

GM painted them assembled, wood and all.

 

[SDJunkMan]

GM painted them assembled, wood and all.

That probably explains why there is very little paint on the tops of my fenders and on the box sides above the fenders.

 

[shiftpro]

The side & front panels and tailgate are brand new (Mar-K, really nice parts). They don't require 'normal primer', just the epoxy to provide added rust protection. I will need to hit these parts with 400 grit or a scotchbrite pad before paint because it will be more than 7 days before I get to the paint (the epoxy hardens and basecoat will not stick). And at that point I will lay down one more coat of epoxy primer, reduced (thinned) to act as a seal coat before applying the base coat.

The fenders are original. So those got 2 coats of epoxy (for rust protection), skim coat of filler, and then polyester primer surfacer. These will get the epoxy seal coat before basecoat, just like the rest of the bed (and cab) parts.

I use SPI's products, except for basecoat because they only make 6 colors (black, white, orange & 3 reds). I really like their products, especially considering the price point. Years ago I always sprayed PPG, which is really nice product. But outside of their Shopline product, they have just gotten crazy with pricing. So I generally use PPG's Shopline for basecoat and SPI for everything else, including clear.

Cool, thanks for settling that. You know what you're doing, sorry for the interruption... carry on!

 

[87_stepper]

mine was painted in pieces and then assembled as others have stated you wont get good coverage under the lip and on top of the fenders also used sealer when bolting fenders back on 3m strip caulk I believe, then sprayed rock guard in the fenders and along the box turned out beauty.

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[dhenderz]

Thanks everyone. I am going to paint the fenders separately.

 

[TPISly-C10]

Agree, mine was painted together and there wasn’t a good coat of paint put under the top rail and above the fenders

same here+ rust that i don't see before removing fender

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[Ken B]

this is all great information. I have the same thing coming up. not in the painting stage yet but survivor "deep south" factory bed to replace my Indiana 81 bed. It will be blown apart!

 

[TubeTruck]

You've already decided but paint it apart. Epoxy primer doesn't stop rust. It just slows it down. Let is sit long enough (about 6months) and you will have rust starting to form. Any type of primer absorbs moisture.

 

[bucket]

You've already decided but paint it apart. Epoxy primer doesn't stop rust. It just slows it down. Let is sit long enough (about 6months) and you will have rust starting to form. Any type of primer absorbs moisture.

There are various epoxy primers that are a sealer as well, it protects the base material from the elements just like paint. Martin Senour offers it in several different colors so it can be made to basically any shade or color you want. I'm assuming other companies offer similar products.