Paint removal - Prep for painting

[matt_l]

I did a bit of searching, but I was not able to find any specifics. I amtrying to figure out how to prep the body to paint. It currently has two crappy paint jobs on top of the stock paint, and I was wonder what the best way to prep it for paint?

The options I see are:

1. Take it down to bare metal
2. Clean it real good, remove any loose paint, and sand it just for prep.
3. There has to be more options

I am planning to go with a flat paint for a shop/working truck look. This truck will be a regular driver to go to home depot and such. I am not looking for a show truck.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Trying to keep to somewhat of a budget build. I am also not planning on completely disassembling the truck, I plan on keeping the cab on the frame. The front clip, doors, and bed will be removed.

[ljackson]

I'm not an expert. There are many on here. I have learned alot on this board. Most guys will take it to bare metal so you can see what's really under there. There may also be compatability issues with they layers that could cause paint failure problems. If the truck has tractor enamel or aersol spray paint on it, the solvents in the automotive paint can cause to wrinkle and / or come off. Take a look in the paint and body thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=16 Lots of good info there. Many knowledgeable folks that are willing to help.

[BR3W CITY]

Two crappy paint jobs means that it was done twice without proper prep or good materials; your ONLY option is to go to bare metal. Spraying over old paint usually doesn't work well, especially when the old paint is a completely different type than what you would be spraying; i.e. a truck with a 20 year old single stage paintjob is not a good base for a modern bc/cc paint job. Not to mention that its probably hiding some bodywork under all that paint. Even worse, 3 paint jobs means the mil thickness will already be hefty, a fourth paintjob on top would probably just sag.

If you want to keep it mostly together, break out the chemical stripper and some stripping discs (nylon and wire wheels work well, just keep the heat down and don't over-work an area.

[matt_l]

Originally Posted by ljackson

Take a look in the paint and body thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=16 Lots of good info there. Many knowledgeable folks that are willing to help.

Ljackson, thanks for the link to the thread. I browsed through it a little. It looks like a lot of great info, and I look forward to going through it in detail.

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Two crappy paint jobs means that it was done twice without proper prep or good materials; your ONLY option is to go to bare metal.

BR3W, That is what I was afraid of. I am going to start with the inside of the cab as a practice area. Plus a a lot of it will already be down to bare metal after all the patch panels I have to put in.

[oem4me]

Get the budget flat paint you are going to use, scuff an area and shoot it. If it lifts, then decide what's next. If it stays put, scuff away and paint the whole thing. There's no point in doing more work than you need to. If you want to do a proper paint job in the future, then (at that time) absolutely take it to bare metal.

[Billett]

That^ if you are looking for a work truck look I wouldn't kill yourself over it, but make sure it isn't going to flake off either. Prep is the key to good paint jobs. Even a spray bomb paint job can look good with the proper prep and patience. That said, if it were me I would take it to bare metal. Do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again.