Body panel replacement, prep work?

[Absolomb]

Hey guys, my z32 got hit by a deer and smashed the drivers side fender and dented my door, but I bought a used fender/door off craigslist and have them on hand, but I've never had to have a car repainted before. I would like to install them myself but, am I doing myself, or the shop that will paint it a disservice by installing panels? The color still needs to be sanded off and prepped so I'm assuming this would be done off the car anyway. But I wanted to use the opportunity to gain some experience for myself. Thanks.

[DCaff300ZX]

I'd assume that the work you speak of would save you some money in prep work for the shop, any work they don't have to do but they would otherwise have to do professionally certainly has value in that if they strip everything vs minus stripping the door and panel, plus not have to install them versus having to do it all, the job should cost less...but I'd DEFINITELY make inquiries with your shop on do's and don't's to ensure they wouldn't have to go over your work anyway, etc. and where your work loses value or as mentioned causes an issue.
I would think though that if you stripped bare and lightly primered, then installed to your satisfaction the door and panel before taking the car in for paint bids, I can't see why that wouldn't cost you less than the shop having to do that work in addition to the paint job, or cause them any issues beyond the quality of your install work, or sanding into/off/adding to your primer before painting. I definitely would not do more than that though, as many painters want things very basic before they begin and don't/won't mess with your paint and would want to restrip/start over to be able to back up their work.

[carldu]

If you have no experience painting a car, you best bet if is to bring it to a body shop.