Tips For Removing Old Paint From Your Car
If you're getting ready to repaint your car, you need to start by stripping away the existing paint on the surface. There isn't one single approach that's best to do this, so you're going to want to consider which approach best fits your needs. Here are three common ways to remove the paint from your car.
High-Pressure Spray
High-pressure paint removal is a popular choice of auto body shops. Usually done with either a sand blaster or a high-pressure spray, this method removes the paint with ease while limiting the amount of direct personal effort that's required to do so.
High-pressure removal is fast and efficient, but in some cases, it can damage the car body. If you're repainting a fairly new car, are restoring a classic or don't have a lot of expertise in body work, it's probably best to avoid using this approach. But, if you're experienced enough and just need
Chemical Application
If you want a more targeted, concentrated way to remove paint, consider a chemical paint stripping product. This kind of treatment will remove paint from the car surface without causing damage to the body panels beneath. You'll just brush a paint remover onto the car and scrape the paint clean once it's bubbled up.
Most of the chemical paint removal products work a single paint layer at a time, so this is a slower process than sand blasting. You'll have to reapply the chemical on each paint layer that you want to remove. It is convenient for spot removals, particularly if you're looking to repaint a single body panel.
Manual Sanding
Removing the paint by hand is effective, but can be very time consuming. Manual sanding is targeted, though, allowing you precise control over where the paint comes off and how deep you sand. You won't have to worry about causing divots in the metal from the sand blaster or errant drips from your chemical paint removal product if you use this method. You'll just need a couple of sanding blocks and some sandpaper in various grit levels. Start with the coarsest one and work your way to the finest for the finishing work. Wet sanding is even better, because it keep dust at bay.
Now that you understand the most common methods of paint removal, you can choose the best method for your needs. Talk with your local auto body specialist or Aldrich Auto Body & Repair, Inc. for more guidance and professional support.