Wingtop Seam Paint Prep Question

[USDefender]

Should I separate the headlight housing from the wingtop top (remove 4 rivets and 4 spot welds) to properly paint inside the seam?

On passenger side I removed the 4 rivets but not the 4 spot welds and was able to pry it open fairly well.

I noticed the factory didn't paint in between the seam--they just primed, assembled, and simply painted over the seam.

My paint guy told me to pry open, scotchbrite, etch prime, and bolt back together.

Thoughts?

[Dervish]

So long as you don't put seam sealer in there, go for your life. I wouldn't bother though, personally. What colour have you chosen?

[USDefender]

So long as you don't put seam sealer in there, go for your life. I wouldn't bother though, personally. What colour have you chosen?

Still deciding...either a LR silver or GM silver birch

Had a truck in the US painted silver birch metallic and it almost never had to be washed because it ALWAYS looked clean--the perfect color, might go with it again on my Defender, plus it would be quite unique.