Vehicle body panel positioning apparatus for paint application

Abstract

A positioning method and fixture apparatus for use in painting or coating a vehicle body panel, such as a plastic composite deck lid, when mounted on a pair of existing spring-counterbalanced arms of deck lid hinges. The method and apparatus releasably retains and positions the deck lid by forces applied directly at the hinges rather than to the deck lid. A rigid transverse main strut of the fixture laterally spans the body panel between the hinges and carries a pair of hook members rigidly affixed to its ends that releasably attach one to each associated hinge arm. A secondary strut extends rearwardly from the main strut and has a slide bolt latch to releasably engage the rear underside edge of the deck lid stationary against lid-opening counterbalancing spring forces, and to secure the fixture unitarily to the deck lid at three points. A lid manipulating arm pivotally carded on the secondary strut has spaced notch hooks to hold the deck lid in selected partially open positions for coating application. The fixture is torsionally and longitudinally rigid to prevent torsional stress being exerted by the hinges on the deck lid panel. Additionally, no bending moment in a plane fore and aft of the vehicle is applied to the deck lid by the positioning method because the fixture does not pull down on the deck lid rear latch point but instead attaches directly to the lid hinges in order to manipulate and hold the deck lid.