Sanding off old paint
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From: South Dakota
Sanding off old paint
I am new to the world of body work. I am going to cut some edges on my buildup and do the body work myself. What's an easy way to get my old paint off without messing up the truck? Sandblasting is bad from what I understand, and sanding wtih a wire brush is bad.... So how can a guy do this in his own garage the right way? Thanks
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From: green bay, WI
Are you talking about stripping the vehicle down to metal? I usually strip paint off by sanding with a 36 grit on my 8" DA and then go over the metal with 80 grit on my 6" da to smooth out the scratches before primer. You could use paint stripper, but I don't like doing that way because it is messy, and usually takes a few applications and some sanding to get the paint off. Some places you may have to blast if you can't get them by sanding. There are other mediums to blast off paint other then sand where there is less of a chance of warping sheetmetal, I think people use walnut shells or beads.
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
Yupe, 32 grit and then 80 grit on a DA sander.
Walnut shells and soda blasting but you still have the problem of the air pressure causing problems. Even with an experience operator, you can end up with damage.
Yupe, 32 grit and then 80 grit on a DA sander.
Walnut shells and soda blasting but you still have the problem of the air pressure causing problems. Even with an experience operator, you can end up with damage.
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From: green bay, WI
Da is just abbreviation for the type of sander it is, the motion it makes to sand. It stands for Dual action. Pretty common tool. They have the 6" at most stores, like sears. If you want a bigger one like the 8", that may take a little more shopping for, maybe sears would have the larger size also. I bought my 8" from snap-on, but it is very usefull for stripping off paint, and for knocking bondo into shape so you have less work with a boardfile or sanding block. Don't know if you should take it down to metal without being there and looking at the vehicle and the shape the paint on it is, but if you take it down to metal, you get a fresh start and know all whats hiding under the paint on the vehicle.
Last edited by kenseth17; May 4, 2004 at 04:01 PM.
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From: South Dakota
The paint is the original paint, it comes off fairly easy (I sanded down a little spot on the hood last night). There are a few dents (minor) in the body that need to be fixed, and there is 1 spot of rust in front right fender. The truck is a '67 F-100 shortbed. I'll try to take a few digital photos of it tomorrow.
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From: green bay, WI
Well if the paint is adhering well, not cracking or peeling or anything like that, It is possible that you could just sand it just grind the spots of rust and where the dents that need bodyfiller are to metal. If there are any pits from the rust, the rust spots should probably be blasted. Then get those areas straight, primed and blocked. Be a good idea if going that route to shoot a sealer coat before the color coats.
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