I'm installing a 10 point cage in my 67 chevelle drag car. My process will be to lift the body some and weld the cage to the frame and then set the bdy back down and weld the two kickers in which will bolt to the floor pan with plates.This then eliminates raising the body again. My problem is how to paint the cage once installed. Do most people try to paint it first and then touch up the welds or simply do a hugh masking job after installation. It will be very hard to get all sides of the bars etc. once installed. Trying to not scratch it all up etc during installation would be a trick also.Will some paints be easier to use than others?
Any ideas?? Thansk in advanced for any help.

Hey TCW,

I just got done painting my cage but a little different scene from yours. I had the floor square areas cut out smaller than the plates supplied by the cage co., and welded thru the floor to the frame, left the square patches off for now, painted the whole cage inside and out (72 Elky) and even the bars out the back window. The Michigan rust works fast so I did it very quickly, but take YOUR time and do it right, use a small hand held mirror from momma and you can get behind some of those bars, worked for me! Also, use some cardboard or paper which ever fits behind the bars, to cover the NO-PAINT-ZONE like the panels, headliner and the rest of the interior.
Why are you lifting the body also? I didn't move mine at all ind it worked great, although I did raise my body, only to remove the crusty body bushings and replace them with alum mounts.

Also, if you can't see the bars missing paint, will anybody else? save some time here too! Hope this helps out, ohh, almost forgot, if you are getting the chassis certified, you may want to leave any holes in the floor available to the tech inspector, he may want to be sure the bars go to the frame!!!!, this is what I am doing as to not have any hassles @ tech, then go home and weld up all the holes and patch panels, then paint over that. Good luck and send pics.

John
72 Elky
Black Hole Enterprises
O/C 9900

ps, I used Rustoleum black gloss paint and it came out very nice, just keep the paint brusch hairs from coming off and sticking for good!

So you brushed it. I was thinking that was the way to go rather than rattle can to reduce overspray etc. Maybe I'll brush the tight spots and then spray the high visability areas. I lifted the body because I already had the body off and settting it down to get everything set up and then lifting again is not big deal now. I wish there was a way to put a slip joint in the roll cage tubing so I could lift the body later if I needed to. Maybe I'll call tech and ask. anyway I'll give it a go next week. Thanks