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I have a 1965 F-250 Custom Cab, and I love it. It's actually my daily, as inefficient as it might be. It's my first vehicle, and also the first time I've properly worked on a vehicle. As crazy as that sounds, I got the truck going and it has been incredibly reliable. It starts every time, even in the 20-degree weather we've been having. Now that the truck is relatively mechanically sound, I'd like to begin a bit of restoration on the interior and exterior. I have a clear plan for the interior that involves a repaint, floor pan repair, and some instrument cluster revamping. However, I'm wondering what I should do on the exterior.
The truck's body panels are in pretty good shape. There are some dents and dings, and the driver's door is slightly crunched on the front, but overall, pretty good. However, the paint is rough. Well, not really. The truck's original paint seems to be in great shape. However, someone did a bang-up repaint over the original paint (but in the same or similar color), and it's flaking off. Here are some pics:
Just an overview of the body On the hood The roof And haphazardly (brush?) painted around the chrome
So, my question is, how can I go about getting this off with minimal damage to the original paint? I'd like to get the truck looking good enough to clear coat and maintain the original patina and paint because I like that. If I can't I'll just paint it, but I don't like that.
Pick a inconspicuous spot and test different solvents. Start off with less aggressive solvents and work up to harsher ones. You may find that something on a fine scotchbrite pad may remove the crappy paint. I agree that it looks like someone used a brush. That’s a cool truck!
Pick a inconspicuous spot and test different solvents. Start off with less aggressive solvents and work up to harsher ones. You may find that something on a fine scotchbrite pad may remove the crappy paint. I agree that it looks like someone used a brush. That’s a cool truck!
I have a 1965 F-250 Custom Cab, and I love it. It's actually my daily, as inefficient as it might be. It's my first vehicle, and also the first time I've properly worked on a vehicle. As crazy as that sounds, I got the truck going and it has been incredibly reliable. It starts every time, even in the 20-degree weather we've been having. Now that the truck is relatively mechanically sound, I'd like to begin a bit of restoration on the interior and exterior. I have a clear plan for the interior that involves a repaint, floor pan repair, and some instrument cluster revamping. However, I'm wondering what I should do on the exterior.
The truck's body panels are in pretty good shape. There are some dents and dings, and the driver's door is slightly crunched on the front, but overall, pretty good. However, the paint is rough. Well, not really. The truck's original paint seems to be in great shape. However, someone did a bang-up repaint over the original paint (but in the same or similar color), and it's flaking off. Here are some pics:
Just an overview of the body On the hood The roof And haphazardly (brush?) painted around the chrome
So, my question is, how can I go about getting this off with minimal damage to the original paint? I'd like to get the truck looking good enough to clear coat and maintain the original patina and paint because I like that. If I can't I'll just paint it, but I don't like that.
That's It! Thanks!
A steam clean will remove all that excess paint without hurting the paint underneath
Graffiti remover and oven cleaner are popular picks when removing non-original paint to get back to the original paint on the VW forum. Worth a try on a small area.
The way that paint is checkering, it reminds me of really old house enamel paint on wood. As it gets sun baked the paint physically shrinks, separating in to little squares. If you're trying to preserve any original paint underneath I'd avoid using a petroleum based thinner (acetone, MEK, etc) to remove the top layer. Also be extra careful with a power washer, get too close with the spray nozzle or hit the paint with too much water pressure and you'll pull off the original paint along with the bad repaint. Depending if you're going for a patina look, a sturdy soft sponge used carefully with water & a little Comet may remove most of it, but it will take a long time.
Once you've done the pressure wash, Acetone and a lot of rags is the answer, but wear gloves and an appropriate mask. The original paint is very resistant to the acetone. Oven cleaner didn't ever work well for me, or graffiti remover for that matter. Any mechanical scrubbing should be a last resort if you want the original paint left in good condition. I have done this with several cars and trucks with great results....but it takes a long time, so just be patient. Of course there may be a reason your truck was repainted in the first place, so you may uncover bondo etc.
The Vice Grip Garage trick of using SOS pads with soap works pretty well after a pressure wash, if you’re after a patina look.
The good news is that there's patina already, with soen surface rust showing through. I just need to get the ugly paint off. Thanks for the advice, though!
I would go with power washing first.
I dont think I would use and liquid type stuff to remove the old paint or even SOS pads / scotch pads as it will hurt the factory paint.
With out seeing it in person kind of hard to say just how to go about this other then power wash.
Oh I dont see the PW taking the factory paint off.
Dave ----
