The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Painting Truck Bed

I will be putting a new box/bed on my pickup, and I'm wondering about the best procedure for painting it. Should I: 1) prime and paint the metal box pieces before assembling them, 2) assemble them first and then prime and paint, or 3) prime the pieces, assemble them, and then paint? Thanks for the input.

..... I like to paint and then put together. I think it makes the "details" look nice and clean.

I trimmed mine then assembled, at that point I re-painted the whole thing. Last but not least I then painted then inside with a spray on bed liner.. if you gonna use the truck I highly recommend the liner.. enjoy and good luck.

I painted mine apart. Because I used polished SS bolts and didn't want them painted. I might add that I assembled the entire bed first to check fit then primed and painted.

I'm like Kent. I trim everyting scuff it back down then assemble and refinish. this way everything is sanded completely and theres no chance of paint peel along the edges. It also gives you good coverage where the panels bolt together and reduces any risk of bare metal rusting. Keep in mind, even if your ride never gets driving in the rain, the temps outside still change and can cause condinsation in places that typicaly would never get wet. you want to protect everytihng.

You just described the conditions in my garage.