I have a 1966 convertible. Previous owner repainted the car about 2001. Repaint was mostly OK but they simply masked off the top-up leaving some rear deck panels without the new paint (color does not match). Left & right painted panels behind the rear windows, where the top up sits, and center metal panel where the rear seat radio speaker sits with the attached T-Bird emblem.
Yes, I have all the body manuals.
Question: How can I get these three small body panels repainted without taking out the rear seat interior, if possible. Yes, the rear seat speaker needs replacement.
I see so many 1964-66 convertibles that have been repainted. How did they deal with repainting these convertible only body parts?
Help.
Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
Moderator: redstangbob
Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
T-Bird Registry #19119
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
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redthundervert64
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:19 pm
Re: Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
Well, that painter was lazy! I suppose it's possible to repaint these pieces with enough masking but I'd strongly recommend removing the rear seats so that all the panels and the aluminum and stainless mouldings (and the emblem) can be removed and the panels can be properly prepped and painted out of the car. When I painted my car (a '64 MY) I did it this way, and at the same time I repaired some minor dents and bends in the curved aluminum mouldings and replaced the end panel trim mouldings located between the quarter panels and the package tray end panels. Not sure if you've removed the rear seats before, but as a convertible owner you probably have (or will sooner rather than later) to access the convertible top relays. It's really not too difficult and it will also be way easier to replace the speaker.
The Body/Interior Assembly Manual will show you how the panels are fastened and how to get at the screws and fasteners. In my '64 manual the details are in the "Roof and Back Window Section" and the drawing is called "Back Window Interior Mouldings and Package Tray"
Hope this helps - good luck.
The Body/Interior Assembly Manual will show you how the panels are fastened and how to get at the screws and fasteners. In my '64 manual the details are in the "Roof and Back Window Section" and the drawing is called "Back Window Interior Mouldings and Package Tray"
Hope this helps - good luck.
Re: Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
Sorry for the delay responding. I think I have the Body/Interior Assembly Manual. But my 1966 is back to a shop for its typical bi-annual tweaks, old car stuff, and whenever the car goes to the shop my manuals go with the car.
Today watched a YouTube video removing the rear shelf on a 1965 convertible. I am freaked out about the amount of labor required to remove the 3-panels I want repainted. I can see a $1000 in labor just to remove these three small panels, then more to paint, then more to re-install & hopefully installed correctly.
I have seen so many pictures of 1964-66 T-Bird convertibles repainted and hard for me to believe they went to this extreme of de-constructing the rear interior to paint these three body panels.
I would apricate feedback from anyone who had their 1964-66 convertible repainted. How did you get the rear shelf and side panels repainted on your convertibles?
My convertible also has a rear speaker, so I want that replaced at the same time I paint.
Today watched a YouTube video removing the rear shelf on a 1965 convertible. I am freaked out about the amount of labor required to remove the 3-panels I want repainted. I can see a $1000 in labor just to remove these three small panels, then more to paint, then more to re-install & hopefully installed correctly.
I have seen so many pictures of 1964-66 T-Bird convertibles repainted and hard for me to believe they went to this extreme of de-constructing the rear interior to paint these three body panels.
I would apricate feedback from anyone who had their 1964-66 convertible repainted. How did you get the rear shelf and side panels repainted on your convertibles?
My convertible also has a rear speaker, so I want that replaced at the same time I paint.
T-Bird Registry #19119
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
Re: Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
Someone here must have had a 1964-66 convertible repainted and know what is involved to get these convertible specific panels painted.
T-Bird Registry #19119
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
1966 T-Bird convertible
2011 Camaro 2LT
Re: Painting rear seat body panels on a conv.
1) Put the top down
2) Prep the panels for paint
3) Mask
4) Paint
5) Buff
Pretty basic body shop stuff. Maybe they would prefer removing the rear seats and removing those three parts and painting them on a bench, but the tops of the quarters must be painted in the car. The more work they have to do with disassembly and assembly, the more they are going to charge.
If it was painted in 2001, what kind of condition is the rest of the paint? Do you want them to freshen up the whole car?
2) Prep the panels for paint
3) Mask
4) Paint
5) Buff
Pretty basic body shop stuff. Maybe they would prefer removing the rear seats and removing those three parts and painting them on a bench, but the tops of the quarters must be painted in the car. The more work they have to do with disassembly and assembly, the more they are going to charge.
If it was painted in 2001, what kind of condition is the rest of the paint? Do you want them to freshen up the whole car?
1966 Thunderbird Convertible (Emberglo / White-Emberglo)
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA