I am trying to find out the best steps to take that lead to the nicest restoration?
I have my drivetrain finished and removed from my Camaro. I have read different views on when to install the drivetrain. Before or after painting. Still others say that you must install the drivetrain. Work out all the bugs. Then remove and then paint! I would like to change the color form Carmine (maroon) to a candy red. Any thoughts or advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a million!
kyrenegade

 

Strip the body down to nothing except rear axle and front spindles so you can still push it around on an old crappy set of wheels. Flatbed it to the body shop for the paint job. Get it back home and then carefully reassemble everything.

 

^^^Agreed...

It's also easier to have the front cap and rear bumper cover off the car and the interior out for painting, and put that all back on after the drive train is back in.

 

I third the above--get it down to a bare shell with the front end completely removed, and get the car sprayed inside and out, then slowly piece it back together extremely carefully.

However, if you think it's going to take a very long time to finish the project, then I would probably take it to the body shop in the same state as above and have them spray the underside and engine bay only, then go home and slowly piece the drivetrain together, then once all of that is done, spray the rest of the body (with the same paint to hopefully ensure a perfect match). I say this only because I would hate for a paint job to be five+ years old before it ever even saw daylight. Shouldn't matter if the car is garaged as it should be and not messed with, but still there's just something about fresh paint that can't be beat.

But since your drivetrain is done, I'd go with the first option.

 

Thanks for the great advise! Here I was hoping to have my old ride on the road this summer! But if I want to do it right I have to take the time and proper steps needed!

Thanks,
Kyrenegade