When to paint?

[the edmundator]

In the grand scheme of the transformation of my GTL into race monster, I have to think about the best time to get the paintwork done.

It seems logical to me to strip the car, fit the roll-cage, do the paint, then fit everything up.

Does this sound like the right order, or does anyone have any better suggestions. I am possibly going for a complete colour change (but possibly not).

[Funky Diver]

Sounds like the best plan to me :)

Although some might say apply stone guard underneath once you have brake and fuel lines run, personally I'd rather be able to inspect them rather than have hidden lines in that manner :)

[Brunty]

I learned from experience

Build the car up fully first, make sure it all works and then strip it again. Doesn't exactly take long with a stripped out beastie. Then paint. I painted mine inside and out and then found I needed to remove the spare wheel well to get the exhaust to fit. Out with Mr A Grinder and all the metal dust that blew around the car then stuck in the paint and rusted, so it looks like I have a rusty inside...

[the edmundator]

I see what you're saying... but I don't intend to be doing anything that drastic to the bodywork. Everything will fit without major changes because I'm not trying anything that hasn't been done on a road-going Scirocco before. At least not to start with. Season 1 (and probably 2) will just be about getting better at driving the car.

I think the only other things it would be good to have sorted before paint are the holes for the electrical cut-off, fire extinguisher and bonnet pins. I can't think of anything else that will require holes.