72cutlassolds

about to do my own body work and prep for paint should i grind off all the paint and primer on the car to bare metal or just close to it

Bluevista

It's best to go to bare metal, it really isn't much more work and you'll have a much better base for the primer. I like the two part epoxy primers, just don't use rattle can lacquer based primer.

redoldsman

I would not recommend grinding the old paint off. You will scar the sheet metal and create a lot more work trying to get it smooth again. If the car has ever been repainted you definitely need to take it down to bare metal. A lot of people are using soda blasting. I have never used it. Then you can always use chemical paint stripper. It is messy and you have to have plenty of ventilation. I have done several and it is not fun. If you do this, be sure and use aircraft stripper. I see you are in CA. I don't know if you can even buy this stuff in CA.

72cutlassolds

@redoldsman yeah its been painted a few times i think because i can see where body filler was used on sertain parts of the car and yes we carry aircraft paint remover here i used it several times before @bluevista ok i will look for that kind of primer thanks for you guys info.

fourtwenty

We use sharp scrapers to remove the old paint to metal. No fumes and no dust. Once you get an edge going it actually peels pretty good.

ziff396

I took mine to bare metal. A combination of sanding, grinding, and stripper. Man, that original coating on the metal can be a bear! Needless to say, some was left. I then coated everything with epoxy.

72cutlassolds

thanks for the info i think i wanna go bare metal also paint goes on more cleaner looking dont think a sharp scrapper will work for mine cause the whole car is primered and who knows whats under neith

allyolds68

I stripped my whole car with wires wheels, lots of them

72cutlassolds

will the wire wheels work good on this primer it looks like a prety thick coat ? i was thinking a grinding disk

4424me

the 3M roloc scotchbrite disc things work good. but they are expensive.

allyolds68

Like was said previously, don't use a grinder. It leaves a mess in the metal. A course wire wheel cuts through paint fairly easy and doesn't mar the metal, it's the bondo that slows you down.

golds56

I tried aircraft stripper and dads sprayable,ended up useing 80 and 150 grit sand paper on a 9" da(mudhog ) and then a vacume blaster in the impossible to get at areas with black beauty blasting abrasive.Evercoat slicksand epoxy primer over DP50 sealer then dp50 again in the booth to seal the primer and keep it from shrinking.Dont grind except where you will be useing filler or patch panels ,it will heat the metal and couse it to expand making it difficult to get straight body work.