I am in the process of doing a complete frame-off restoration of my 13' Compact Jr. trailer. I have totally disassembled it. I am trying to figure out a logical "production schedule" on how to proceed. Here are my issues:
- EVERYTHING is stripped off of the fiberglass shell. I plan to have it painted in this naked state before reassembly. I'm presently making bondo screw-hole and fiberglass matte patch repairs in prep for sanding.
- I have purchased a new 2200 LB Leaf-spring suspension axle with 7" electric brakes. It has the same 4" drop as the original, and has the mounting pads for both spring-under and spring-over installation.
- The frame is sound; in good condition with average surface rust for it's 42 year age.
I will need to use the frame/original axle/original wheels to transport the prepared
fiberglass body to a commercial vehicle
painting establishment after prep. I figured the less they have to mask/protect-from-overspray, the quicker (and possibly cheaper) the final
paint job will be. My questions are:
- Can I do a rattle can primer coat myself, paying for only a professional finish?
- Which component do I have painted first if the body and the frame will be different colors using different paint?
- Should I leave them attached together in the paint booth having to mask the non-painted part, or should I remove the body in the booth since it is stripped and tell them to just have at it?