I am going to buy a 77 that is white w/ blk int.
The paint job is good but will need to be repainted in a couple of years. The interior needs a little work done on it.

Question: Should I do the interior now or hold off until I get it painted? Or should I bite the bullet and get it painted now and work on the interior when I get the extra money?

:flag

 

depends...do you want to empress other people, or yourself. If you want people to look at you in awe, do the paint job them slowly do the interior. If you don't care 'bout others, and can bare a few months of "what a crummy paint job", then do the interior, then paint. I personally did the paint first. Of course all I needed was new door panels, everything else in the interior can be done with elbow greese and some interior dye, and it should look good as new. I will do things like new seat covers, etc slowly, because those are just old, and they are not an eye sore or anything. The only thing I would have done different, was I would have waited another week to paint the car, so I would have had the $$ for the carpet. Now I have to drive a week with crummy carpet before I can replace it. But that is ok with me.


Basically its up to you, depends on how much of each you can do at the same time. I got lucky and can do almost all of both at the same time, with some work. It depends on who you want to impress, yourself or others. Personally I think other peoples opinions are more crutial then my own. I don't really care what they think about the car, but hearing "did you have a fire under the hood" got a little old. i can only say "no" so many times before I have to do something about it.

Daniel
PS. You said the paint has a couple more years in it? I say do the interior, then in a couple years repaint it.


[Modified by daniel77350, 3:43 AM 10/3/2001]

 

Depends on what kinda work you are going to do to the car. If a major overhaul were in order I would say do the interior last so it doesn't get dirty. If the car is in good shape now go for the interior.

 

I agree with Tim. Also keep in mind a good body shop will remove your doors and door panels to paint the jambs. Which means a LOT of dust is going to get at the interior. Plus painters are not the cleanest people after they've been block sanding all day, so they are going to do a number on your carpet(why does my carpet need to be replaced? the paint guy has big feet). Also, they are going to get lots of dust on the inside(why do I need to repaint my interior? The body shop doesn't mind getting dust on the inside), and might even scratch some things. And unless they know how, they might even tear up your door panels trying to take the things off(why do I need to replace my door panels? The last painter didn't know how to remove them).

Plus if your doing engine work, and need to climb in the car to start it, or take it for a spin around the block, you'll do a number in the interior, whereas fenders can be covered with blankets and other things to protect the paint.

Daniel

 

My interior was done first and then painted. The painter got a little overspray on one of the lower kick panels. Easy enough to remove and repaint. Only thing, then I realized how bad the other side looked and had to remove it and paint it too. Just be careful that the painter masks off the interior well so that it does not get sprayed.
Jeff

 

Thanks for the advise.

I read that you can use two sided adhesive tape for the carpet instead of glue incase you need to pull up the carpet. Would this be a smart thing to do since I'm not painting for a couple years?

PS I don't care what others think. I am just trying to impress myself. Trying to do all the work except painting myself.

 

i f ya got two years on the paint do the interior and do the carpet yourself....I will send u some pics if ya want..And Do NOT buy those cheap pieces from the vendors.....JUNK

 

Scott -- if the paint looks good now and if you put a little work into it, you may not need the repaint in the future. A good cleaning and rub out can do wonders for old lacquer. You might be able to get that lady looking better than you and she think.

To that end, do the interior work. Let's face it, from behind the steering wheel you see more of the interior than you do the exterior.

 

Please send me any pics you have.


There are kits from different places online that I have found. Planned on getting the carpet, seat covers and upper dash from them. What do you recommend?

 

I sent the before and after pics