Painting a Car at Home: Paint Removal

When painting a car at home, one of the most important things to understand is the process of paint removal.  You must take into account the amount of old paint to be removed.  This will depend heavily upon the overall condition of the paint, whether or not the vehicle requires any body work, and how far you will have to go to complete the project.

You are aiming for a smooth, flat surface; therefore plan out how much time and effort will be required to achieve this goal. Once the oxidized paint material has been removed by sanding, you can apply new paint. Keep in mind though, that if the old paint is lacquer based, you must sand it down to bare metal. 

You must also use a under coat that is comparable to the top coat so you can ensure the paint sticks.  It is also wise to consult an auto body store tech as they will have useful insight on the best ways to go about painting a car at home, especially with regard to paint. Choosing which sander to use will also be a factor in your project.

Sanders can be found in a variety of models at your local auto parts and body store. It is also a good idea to purchase a stripping disc kit. This will attach to your sander and allow you to strip paint quickly and efficiently without generating too much heat or damaging body panels. They are also recommended for use after a chemical stripper, which can also be found at your local auto body store. 

These tools will work great at removing the paint from your car; however, there is another great option.  With advancements in technology, we now have media (sand) blasting at our disposal when removing paint. While it is messy, it is one of the most effective tools when removing paint from old cars that have accumulated a bit of rust over the years.

When deciding to use this option, remember to remove all the accessories off of the vehicle’s body as this will deface glass and chrome. Also ensure that the correct pressure and correct type of media (sand) are being used for your project.  The manufacturers of these products will provide you with charts to ensure you use the right pressure and media on your vehicle.

Make sure to follow these directions as you can damage the body using incorrect pressure or media. Safety is also an important consideration, so wear gloves, long sleeved, and a sand blasting hood.  This crucial step is not very complicated, but do not overlook it as it will be a deciding factor in your finished project.