Discover How to Remove Auto Paint using...

3 Paint Removal Solutions: Sanding, Auto Media Blasting and Chemical Paint Stripping.

How to remove auto paint successfully is achieved by any one of the following three paint removal solutions:

	Sanding
	Auto Media Blasting
	Chemical Paint Stripping

In order to achieve successful auto paint removal, there are 3 factors you will have to carefully consider:

1. The current condition of the paint on the surface of your vehicle.

Paint removal is best decided by the condition of the vehicle's current painted surface.

You should really use only the mildest paint removal methods such as chemical stripping or a mild scouring type pad if your car's body is in excellent condition that requires no sheet metal repair.

If the paint on your vehicle is significantly cracked, peeling, bubbling or flaking, you are better off stripping it down to bare metal. If the current paint on your car is not adhering properly, whatever paint you put on top of it will simply not adhere properly either.

You can actually apply new paint over old paint once the existing finish has been sanded so that all oxidized paint material has been removed, you've left yourself with a smooth, flat and even surface and the original paint is not lacquer based.

If the original paint is indeed lacquer based, complete paint removal down to the bare metal will be required on the area to be painted.

You will then need to use an undercoat that is compatible with the top coat you plan to use. This is to ensure you don't suffer any complications in getting the new paint to adhere properly.

2. Whether or not your vehicle requires any bodywork.

For any vehicle that needs bodywork doing to it, you'll need to take the repair area down to bare metal so that filler materials have the best chance of bonding properly to the surface.

A professional video demonstration of paint being removed from the repair area of a car down to the bare metal is shown in How to Paint a Car - The System - Part 2.

3. How far reaching your paint job will need to be.

You see, painting decisions are made far easier when the vehicle needs bodywork or when there are serious paint imperfections on the surface.

If however, the old paint looks dull or oxidized and you wish to repaint it to make it look visually appealing once again, ask yourself these questions:

	Is the paint currently on the vehicle too thick to support a new finish?
	Does the body suffer from rust anywhere?
	Will you need to paint the entire vehicle or just some of the panels in order to finish the job?

You will need to decide how much painting your vehicle is going to actually need. If you're not sure simply ask at your nearest auto paint supply store for their opinion or at a local body shop.

How to Remove Auto Paint by Sanding

What do I use?

An electric or pneumatic sander works very well on small projects or localized repairs and makes it is very simple to remove paint from the immediate area that will require undercoat and paint application.

You will want to use 36- to 80-grit sanding discs for speed and efficiency. If you wish, you can also use extra-coarse sanding discs for removing all paint and/or body filler remnants from any tiny dents and other hard to reach places.

For sanding auto paint it is a good idea to purchase a stripping disc kit that has stripping discs and a cushioned backing pad that will attach to an angle sander (a buffer) with high speeds of up to 6,000 rpm.

They will strip the paint quickly and effectively without generating excessive heat and due to their design, they won't damage valuable body panels.

When are they used?

They are recommended for use after a chemical stripper has been used to remove most of the old paint. You will find a variety of chemical strippers for sale at your local auto paint supply store. Be sure that you read label instructions and plan to wear recommended protective equipment.

What other options do I have for sanding auto paint?

A high speed rotary sander with a coarse disc is one of the quickest paint removal solutions. These are perfect prior to bodywork repair because they leave rough sanding scratches on the surface, excellent for filler materials to bond to.

A high speed sander and a coarse disc is also a very useful tool used for auto rust repair.

Remember though that you must not use a grinder or any kind of rotary sander on your vehicle's body when trying to strip off all of the paint.

Not only does a grinder not reach into lots of areas that need to be stripped, it scars the surface and actually removes metal, which you do not want to see happen to all body panels during the stripping process.

In addition, high power sanding tools will generate a lot of heat when used for sanding auto paint. If the tool remains in one location for too long, the generated friction can cause enough heat to warp body panels. The risk is higher on newer model vehicles because of their thinner weight reducing panels.

How to Remove Auto Paint by Auto Media Blasting

Auto media blasting, also referred to as auto sand blasting, is another great way to remove old paint quickly from a vehicle, especially those hard to reach places such as tiny cracks, crevices and pits.

This method works very well on older model vehicles with cases of surface rust. There'll be a lot to clean up afterwards but it will be well worth your effort as you'll discover that old paint and rust removal is done quickly and effectively.

How does Auto Media Blasting work?

A media blaster works by combining controlled pressure with a compatible media. Uncontrolled pressure (i.e. too much) mixed with harsh media will no doubt cause the sheet metal to warp along with other damage.

What preparation is needed?

To be safe, remove all of the exposed accessories from your vehicle; the process of auto media blasting will take off chrome as well as paint and it can easily deface glass.

It is best that you remove all vulnerable body parts or protect them with suitably heavy material. You might want to test the material first to be sure the media blaster doesn't power through it.

The manufacturers and suppliers of auto media blasting products provide charts that indicate the proper media and pressure you should use according to your task at hand.

Media are rated according to their size – the lower the number, the smaller the particle size.

To use it on vehicle parts and bodies, a suitable range would be from number 40 (0.016 inch) down to number 12 (0.004 inch.)

Media also comes in work mixes that combine different amounts of various sized particles. If you are not sure about the right type of media for your project, consult a salesperson at a sand blasting equipment store or member of staff at an auto paint supply store.

The media size and the pressure at which the material is blasted are the two key factors you must consider with auto media blasting.

Make sure you have the correct pressure settings or you will cause unnecessary damage to your vehicle’s body.

You’ll also need to protect yourself from the blasted media. Therefore you must always wear heavy-duty gloves, long sleeves and a high quality sand blasting hood.

It would be a good idea to wear a NIOSH approved respirator too. Media will produce dust particles that are harmful to your respiratory system. You can purchase the respirator, gloves, media blaster and the media from any auto paint supply store.

Auto media blasting equipment such as guns for home use that siphon media from a bucket can start at less than $40 up to a first rate unit costing around $400+.

Various media blaster nozzle sizes require air compressors with specific horsepower so again make sure you follow the charts carefully at places that sell media to be sure the nozzle size; media and air pressure that you plan to use will work in combination with your task at hand.

How to Remove Auto Paint by Chemical Paint Stripping

If you wish to start with clean metal before you begin the repainting process, chemical paint stripping would be ideal.

What form do chemical paint strippers come in?

Chemical strippers are available in two basic forms:

	Dipping
	Brushing

Dipping

When the full vehicle body will be removed from the chassis, dipping would be a practical way to remove all paint and primer.

For the best results, everything to be dipped should be disassembled as completely as possible. This will permit the chemical stripper to get into all of the places where rust may be hiding. This process removes all rust, leaving only shiny metal.

Bear in mind that if a band of rust is all that is holding the lower portion of a door for example onto its upper portion, the lower portion will very likely no longer be attached when the parts are lifted out of the rust removal chemical.

Brushing

Brushed-on chemical strippers should be reserved for relatively small jobs, such as a door. Doing an entire vehicle by hand would be more expensive than disassembling it and having the components dipped.

What are the benefits of chemical paint stripping?

Unlike auto media blasting which may leave the sheet metal warped or pitted, chemical paint stripping is one of the paint removal solutions that will remove all of the layers of primer, paint, wax, grease, dirt and anything else that can be found on the surface of the vehicle and leave you with a shiny, bare metal surface to work with.

An important factor you need to consider.

One drawback of dipping a metal body or component is that when the piece is dipped or submerged into the dipping tank, the rust removal agent will get into all of the minute surface areas; therefore exposing them to the environment.

Try to gain access to all of these areas and apply epoxy primer. This is a very successful way to reduce the risk of future rust problems.

However, unless you are dipping only a single layer of sheet metal, then you won’t be able to apply epoxy primer to all of the bare metal surfaces. This won’t pose a problem in a dry climate however, in a humid climate rust will surely form on the areas of bare metal that are left untreated.

If you are stripping a relatively small component, it would be best to remove the panel to be stripped from the vehicle if at all possible, as the stripper is much more difficult to mask than paint.

Always use the proper safety equipment when you are using any kind of paint stripper. This includes a respirator and gloves. After all, if these products are potent enough for paint removal, just think of what they can do to your body.

How to perform Chemical Paint Stripping.

1. Use 100-grit sandpaper or a Scotch Brite pad to scuff the panel with. This allows the stripper to soak into the paint it is supposed to remove by breaking open the seal. Only ever apply the stripper as directed by the manufacturer.

2. Give the stripper plenty of time to work on the paint where it will start loosening it. You can then start to scrape the paint off as it starts to loosen and bubble up from the surface.

3. Use a putty knife to scrape the paint off with.

4. As the top coats come off, you will need to apply more stripper to get through the underlying layers.

5. Once the entire surface is stripped bare, you will need to neutralize the surface with plenty of water. If you don’t do this, any remaining stripper will attack primer and paint coats that you apply from this point onwards.

6. Once you have neutralized the area with plenty of water, you will need to then completely dry the surface.

7. Next wipe it down using wax and grease remover and then coat it with epoxy primer. This will prevent rust from forming on the bare, clean sheet metal.

Always keep you work area as clean as possible.

It is always in your best interest to keep your work area as clean as possible at all times.

Therefore when using a chemical paint stripper, use a sheet of heavy-duty plastic or cardboard under the edges of your car while removing chemically impregnated paint residue.

By doing this, once the body is stripped, you can remove and discard the scrapings safely according to any local hazardous waste control regulations in effect in your area.

When it is best to use a Chemical Paint Stripping Professional.

It is advised that if you want to have the entire body or more than a single panel stripped down to bare metal, then use the services of a professional in this line of work. Ask any auto paint restorer in your area to recommend a professional to you.

Once you are pointed in the direction of a professional, call them ahead of time to see if you need to schedule an appointment to drop off your car body or parts.

It is your responsibility to completely disassemble the vehicle parts before you take them to be stripped. Be as thorough as possible.

It is also important that you find out if body filler is on the vehicle. You can do this by using a magnet or a grinder. Of course, a magnet won’t stick to body filler.

Once you know that there is body filler present and it is more than 1/8 inch in thickness, you will need to grind it away before taking the vehicle to be stripped. If it is under 1/8 inch thick it should come off during the stripping process. Remember that only metal objects should be placed into the chemical dipping tank.

Ensure Body Filler Bonds Properly to Bare Metal Surfaces  by watching real video footage showing full-time car painting professionals working on real customers vehicles demonstrating how to successfully accomplish paint removal by sanding and heaps more! Featured in... How to Paint a Car - The System $97  $39.00 Buy Today and SAVE $58.00!     How to Paint a Car - The System: Part 1 & 2 How to Paint a Car - The System: The Written Guide These movies are  essential for anyone wanting to understand more on paint removal by sanding.

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