1969 paint prep - take trim off?

[madtom]

We recently got a 69 that's in pretty good shape and are about to start to prepping for paint. The trim's in great shape and I'm a little worried that if I take it off, I'll never get it back on as good as it is now. How hard is it to get it off and back on again or is leaving the trim on and sanding and painting around it an option?

It will be painted the same color (reef aqua). Thanks

[Canonman67]

It's not that hard to take off and put back on, the completed job will be that much nicer for the extra work. It's actually easier to remove and replace the trim than it is to mask it all off. Not to mention that it's pretty easy to see the difference in the finished job. Take pictures of how things come of so you have them for reference when you put them back on and it'll be fine.

[madtom]

ok, thanks. Just looking for some reassurance from someone who's been there. I have to admit it stings a little sanding off paint and pulling trim that's been there since before I was born. On the plus side, I can't believe how easy the paint is sanding off (with 120). I've only done this once before, but this paint is coming off easy peasy.

[cep62]

One thing for taking the trim off ,is you wont have some rust crawling out after you paint it.

Treat the holes and studs around the trim clips with some rust proofing or heavy grease to help prevent surface rust ,
after you paint and before you put the trim back on.

[madtom]

Thanks cep62, your right I did have some rust under it. It sure made sanding a lot easier after I got it all off, but I have a feeling its gonna be harder to get back on, than it was to take it off.

[Uni Moe]

You should buy new clips for it all. It's all available and will make reinstall much easier.