[The Blue 302]

In your opinion, what is the best sequence for aligning body panel alignment. I've heard a ton of different ways to adjust my body panels but wanted to check in and see what you guys thought. My panels are not flush and just off. I dont see a need for filling with fiberglass fillers, based on what was done, I just need adjust or shim or whatever to get them all in line and flush. Are there any methods or techniques to do this or is it just straight bolt on etc...?

[Sick467]

Start with the doors. Get them as aligned as best you can without the quarters. Then the quarters. You may need to go back to the doors and "split any difference" that can't be adjusted out of the quarters. Then the hood. You may need to go back to the quarters, hence you may need to go back to the doors to keep "splitting the difference". You get the idea? I have found myself at the hood level just to get so frustrated that it all came back off and when it went back together it went much smoother. I always prefit and scripe the panels prior to painting that way when my temper flys - I'm not scratching paint. Once the panels fit, disassemble, prepaint the jams and the mostly hidden areas with your final color. Reassemble and prepare for final painting. And as much as I hate to say this...

Shims are our friends.

[reign444]

It is a good idea to try and mark all areas that need adjustment first prior to starting to adjust if you are looking to do all panels so you know what areas were bad when you started.If your car is going to get a new paint job I recommend marking problem areas out with a colored water pencil. It cleans off easily and will not damage the finish but test an area first before going crazy. I would start with your hood first. Adjust the hood reveal with the cowl first and this will establish a good starting point. From there work the fenders and then on to the doors. If you set up a good base line at the front you only need to chase the alignment around equally to each side as well. Keep in mind that the older cars did not always come out with the quality of todays cars and they allowed more room for play on the reveals back then so you may not be able to get things perfect. As well if the car has been hit or in any kind of accident it will also make the adjustment more difficult. Adjutment could come from simply lossening bolts and adjusting or could involve some mild prybar work as well. All depends on how much work the car needs. Obviously would not prybar a car with a new paint job but if going to restore the car fully then some banging and prybar work can help. Hope this helps.

[andrewmp6]

I always aline everything before paint and use a small drill bit for a alignment hole after.It works great on door and hood hinges.

[Rusty105]

What condition is the car in? Are the rear quarters still on it? or are you putting new ones on? If the rears are still on, work from them forward. Start at the door to rear quarter gaps, watching the door to rocker gap. Once the door is set, work on the fender to door, watching the fender to cowl, and hood gaps.

[The Blue 302]

The car is has been painted first by a the laziest auto body guy who painted the car but did not fit or align the panels first. I regret ever going to this guy because I'm stuck with a painted car now and have to do everything without messing up the paint job.

[Veronica]

Hello. The rear quarters are where they are, and there isn't any adjustment on them or the roof. The doors would be the first thing. You might want to consider taking the fenders off of the car so that you can get to the bolts holding the doors without having to worry about the paint. Then get the hood centered and straight, then put the fenders back on and get thm sitting right, then the front valence. It's a little bit more work that way, but you should be able to get everything sitting right like that.

[The Blue 302]

That's definitely the best strategy in terms of trying to preserve the paint, even at the cost of more work. Win-win I'd say.

[oogravyoo]

Not sure if this will help but..

I work in a Ford Plant and as the process goes..

Fit doors first then fit the Fenders, Hood and make final tweaks..