which comes first?? painting or making holes & cutting????

[RCaddict21]

I wonder what would be a better option.. Making the holes & cutting, or painting the body first.... well.. if you make holes first you wont be risking ruining the paint job.. but it would be a bit hard masking and making designs if there are a lot of holes already right?? Well, what do you guys think??

[SaberX]

Personally, I have never cut before I painted. As far as ruining the paint job, you are going to cut the holes anyways right? What's the difference. If that's a concern, design your paint job around the holes you know are going to be cut out, this way the holes don't "take away" from your body's total look. Cutting first takes away certain aspects of painting like an overspray area or having to mask the holes so paint doesn't accidentally seep in. However, if you are using a quality airbrush and are really good with it, then it probably doesn't matter to much, but I still would not cut first. Just my 2 cents...

[HRDforever]

I always cut first, I dont like scratching the paint! I never had a problem with masking, the holes, you just layer tape over...

[revotrx]

u paint first then cut

[MikeV]

If your body has a protective overcoat then mounting and cutting before painting is probably the way to go. It will be easier and will eliminate the risk of scratching the paint while your cutting. If you do paint first invest in (shameless plug) Trinity's no brainer body marking posts. They will make the job much, much easier.

[RhubarbRacing]

JUST GIT'r DONE...PAINT IT, TAPE IT, CUT IT...I always clear coat the heck out of my PAINT JOB! :o HAPPY NITRO TUNING :p

[Dave]

I cut first. It just makes it easier to see where body post and such are located. It just makes sense to me. Plus you are guaranteed to have the body mounted straight. But that's just me. I always screw up if I try mounting the body after it's painted. :D

[Random Insanity]

I've always trimmed first but it depends. If you have a body with a protective film trim it first (take advantage of that film) than throw on some paint. If your body does not have a film on it, I would paint it first, than trim it up (also those NoBrainers/z {I dont know how to spell 'em} would help a ton!).

[BlazinB4]

i mount first BUT i dont cut. i just draw where everything will be going with perminate marker. then after painting is all done i still see where the body will go. THEN comes cutting. In my opinion its the easiest way to go without cutting first. only thing is when i do other peoples bodies for their cars, then i cant see where it will go on the car... then it becomes their problem :p :D lol.

[Mike Kazz]

http://www.jnowell.rchomepage.com/majestic/skull1.jpg

[nitroracerx7]

I've always found it easier to cut the body out before painting. For one..I can see where everything is going to go..such as the air filter & pipe (on nitro cars) not to mention the body posts. Maybe it's because I'm not the best at cutting bodies out that I choose to get the 'rough stuff' over before painting? It seems to me it's easier to work my design around the holes...instead of drilling through the new paint. I've fitted one body to a car after paint..and it struck me as a total pain! One I'm in no hurry to experience again anytime soon. That's my two dollars worth...ô¿ô=
Nitroracerx7

[SMV MOTORSPORTS]

I tape...paint...cut...picture...thrash. cutting is not been a problem....I get what I can and when it gets tight, I bring out the power tools...dremel (cleans up round edges) or soldering iron w/small cutting head (also rounds out edges and can get into tight spots i.e...head, between back window, bed, & rear fender). Next body I will try to mark 1st (makes sence to me) HOWEVER, this is only my 2nd one and both are "bug bombed" w/Pactra Race Finish...I have a 10 year old air brush and have not taken it out of the box.

[WhoMe]

Cut first, for all the reasons stated above. Protect the master peice.