I'm fitting a new front wing and the strip of metal under the lights. I want to get the panels painted properly - especially the wing because it's a big area of metallic paint. Even if I took ages doing it (and I don't really have that much spare time) I reckon I'd still get a pretty poor finish as I don't have the option of anything but spray cans.

Do you think it would be easier (or at all sensible) to take the panels somewhere to be painted and do the fitting/trim etc. myself. I'm quite happy to do this, but I don't know if a painter would find this a problem or not. Would the wing be likely to need any reshaping to fit or should it just bolt straight on? (It's a brand new Volvo part.)

Also any recommendations on finding a good place appreciated (Plymouth area only!) and how much you think it should cost.

Thanks, Ed

Most of the cost of painting is in the prep time, (excuse the different currency) i got quoted $4000 to get my whole car painted, But was told if i brought the car in stripped and prepped it'd cost under $1000.

I'd be looking elsewhere if a painter insisted they fit it, unless they did it for free. If its a replacement part it should just bolt straight on.

I did the same thing to mine earlier this month and any gud painter will need the car to get a colour chip from as the colour is no longer the original. If they just paint it to the original colour code then the colour will almost definately be a couple of shades out. For those couple of panels to be painted you should be loooking around the £200 i expect mate anything around the £150 mark should be fine but if they start getting rediculously cheap walk away unless theya re a mate!!!
Cheers Adam

If I fit the new wing and take the whole car to the painters does it matter that the underside of the wing is not painted? Is the black finish on the new panel good enough to withstand the elements, or does it really need painting on both sides?

Ed

i dont mean to steel a thread but im a panel beater and sprayer and i can offer you guys a 50% discount on apint and body repairs, just ask or pm me for a quote..

thanks

essex based by the way

Best bet is test fit the wing to the car, sometime the locating points need some tweeking, then when you are happy take the car with new wing unbolted to the painters and explain you wnat them to maych the colour to the car then paint the wing without the car, they should do this for you, you need both sides of the wing painting at least down the door shuts and stuff anyway!!
Cheers Adam

someone hit me wing once (hit and run). kept hitting the scrappy's till i found one in the same color. that way it was aged the same, and it was factory paint job. didnt save too much money, cuz i had to go to a higher priced scrappy to find it, but the results were worth it.

Ok I'll do that Adam. Thanks for the advice.

Chances of finding one in the right colour at a scrappy are about the same as finding the Pope in my back garden. (and even then it would probably be rusty)

What, the panel or the pope

i found some in my backyard. oh, nevermind, you said Pope

Sounds like a wing and a prayer!

hi there!!

I know some workshops here in manchester that could paint your panel for you... its fine to paint it off the car. The only prob might be the fact the car's paint has faded slightly whereas the new wing will look NICE!!!

You DO need to paint the underside of the wings. The black paint on the panels is volvo primer and needs to be painted over.

When you have the wing off, apply more waxoil type stuff to protect the underwing. The volvo stuff is good but extra coating will help.

I once removed a panel from a 340 I was breaking. The panel had a black inner side ie it was a replacement at some point - the originals are white/grey primer and then waxoiled or something similar

The black inner side was starting to rust as the primer hadnt been painted so definately paint the inner side of the new wing panel and the inner winf of the car....

PS you got a Mk2 198? Where was the wing from?

cheers

shimon

wing bolt locations

front




need to remove door to get to these ones




wheelarches....


wing tops



Ahead of front jacking point


loosen wing...sealed by volvo onto inner wing...


Inner wing



Once wing is off it is worth reprotecting the inner wing with waxoil type product.

The inner wing looks much worse in this pic than it actually is!! The oil/sealant used by volvo looks the same colour as rust!!

The only rust on this wing was where is meets the top of the wheelarch!

Good luck!!

Shimon

Thanks for the pics Shimon. I got the wing from the Volvo dealer - they still stock them at £63.45 (inc. VAT), which isn't a lot more expensive than I was being quoted by scrap yards for a second-hand one.

Ed (83/A 340 GL CVT)

shimon340 wrote: need to remove door to get to these ones

Good luck!!

Shimon

Oh i beg to differ on these ones mate!!! You can get to them with a 1/4 drive socket and ratchet mate. Having a wobbly ended extension (*insert puns here*) helps get over the bolt.
Cheers Adam

I stand corrected

I was told by some other volvo people that you need to remove the doors.... On this car it was a dismantle so I never got the chance to remove the wing with the door in place...

what tools do you need then? the bolts are 13mm??

I was wondering about the door thing... a very un-typical volvo design that!!

much better as you say..

whats the wobbly extension? standard socket with one of those does it??

thanks for the info mate

shimon