Skuffin exising paint/for re spray?

[wangdango]

Hi-
I have decided that my respray will be a bit less of a huge project. I have stripped the front shroud and plan now on just sanding the other bodyparts for a respray rather then go for a bare metal job. I know its not the best idea but I am trying just to make the car presentable for a few more years before a body off resto. Ideas/thoughts/tips on what/how to prep the existing painted body for a respray?

Thanks
ED

 

[Healey_Z]

Ed,

Best to find a painter that will work with you and ask them, because a lot will depend othe materials they will use.

 

[tahoe healey]

A friend of mine took his kit, fiberglass Cobra to Maaco (sp?)cause he is intending to race it. For $1000 it looks very nice and he doesn't have to feel bad if he gets chips.

 

[Healey 100]

I use 400 grit wet to prep old paint. Thoroughly de-grease before sanding with a degreaser like prep sol. Sand with a block, using long strokes about 45 degree to the axis of the block. Change the paper often, use plenty of water.

After sanding, wash the area with dishwashing soap. When it drys, you'll see the areas that are poorly sanded. Sand them again, the paint should look completely flat when it's sanded enough. If you find any low areas, paint chips or door dings, fill them with a polyester filler prior to sanding.

When you are happy with the sanding and filling, wash the panels again and mask thoroughly with real masking paper (not newspaper).
Finally, apply a sealer recommended by whoever is supplying your paint. This sealer does not need sanding but must be topped with your color coats within 24 hours. The sealer is very important for coating old paint, it will prevent most of the tendency of paint solvents to lift or craze the old finish.

Recoating lacquer is not a very good idea. You can tell if you have lacquer by rubbing lacquer thinner on the finish. If it's enamel, the thinner will not cut it, otherwise it is lacquer.

Read all the instructions and precautions you should get from the paint product vendors.

Good luck!

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Does anyone know for sure what Healeys--specifically BJ8s--were originally painted with? Lacquer, or acrylic enamel?

 

[PC]

To choose an abrasive for scuffing a finish before you shoot the next coat, <span style="font-style: italic">read the instructions</span> for <span style="text-decoration: underline">the specific coating</span> you'll be shooting.

Every coating has its own filling capability. A high-build primer will tolerate a different scratch than a low-build primer which will tolerate a different scratch than a base coat which will tolerate a different scratch than a top coat.

Coatings from different manufacturers will have different requirements. Use whatever is appropriate for yours.

Not all abrasives are created equal. Two sheets of abrasives with the same "number" from different manufacturers or even from the same manufacturer can give completely different results.

Use abrasives that are designed for fine finish work. The abrasives you typically find at hardware stores aren't. You usually have to get them from a paint shop.



pc