Which first?

[krazyrabbit]

I've purchased some exterior pieces - new headlights and fog lights, and a set of used tail lights from eBay, next will be a hood and spoiler. I am also going to have the convertible top replaced.

My question is, should I install these pieces BEFORE I get the car professionally painted or is better to paint first then install?

Thanks for any tips.

 

[OnyxCobra]

I'd put them on after paint, just less of a chance of them getting messed up.

 

[Ferocious]

I would do it before just in case you scratch the paint when attempting to install them.

 

[whiplash473]

No reason to put them on before paint unless you just can't wait cuz of excitement..but if the shop does it right then the front cover will be off of the car and they'll probably pull the lights (running lights for sure) so like Onyx said - let the chance of getting a scratch or knick happen to the old ones


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[2v_takeover]

I would personally put them on before paint to see if they fit first. Measure twice cut once sorta thing, ya know?

 

[whiplash473]

painting the car isn't gonna change the fit of the lights...

 

[ProKiller]

like whipie said, the painter will have to take the lights off to paint the car. not worth the effort to put them on first. wait till its done then throw all the new stuff on. it'll look like a brand new car!

 

[Orange 94]

Like said above, after.


Also its easier to put in headlights then take them out. I'm assuming the professional painter will take your bumper off, so it'll be less wear on the new headlights pieces.

 

[2v_takeover]

painting the car isn't gonna change the fit of the lights...

What about his fiberglass hood and saleen spoiler? Wouldn't you want to know if it fits before it's painted?

 

[krazyrabbit]

What about his fiberglass hood and saleen spoiler? Wouldn't you want to know if it fits before it's painted?

Yeah, I'm definitely going to make sure that the hood and spoiler fit before the paint but not leave them on - although it was probably be hard once I see how good they look :grin:

 

[whiplash473]

well yeah but where the hood meets the lights is the least of fitment problems..and the new lights should have the same dimesions as aftermarkets or no one would buy them..not sure what the spoiler has to do with it but with the hood - fender/hood gaps is most of what test fitting should be paid attention to

instead of retyping this ^ i'll just say that after i typed it now i see what 2v's comment meant..yeah go ahead and test fit everything but i'd leave the lights out

 

[MustangChris]

id give them to the paint shop to install.... that way if they get dropped and scratched its on their dime, not yours

 

[2v_takeover]

well yeah but where the hood meets the lights is the least of fitment problems..and the new lights should have the same dimesions as aftermarkets or no one would buy them..not sure what the spoiler has to do with it but with the hood - fender/hood gaps is most of what test fitting should be paid attention to

instead of retyping this ^ i'll just say that after i typed it now i see what 2v's comment meant..yeah go ahead and test fit everything but i'd leave the lights out

Sorry bro I'm not always the most explicit while trying to explain things. Have this problem in day to day life.

 

[whiplash473]

No worries..all it took was me to reread it


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[98BlackGT]

every shop will tell u to test fit it first.