Is bare metal really neccessary??

I know this has probably been covered before, but I'm going to throw it out. Seems everyone's taking entire bidies down to bare metal these days when prepping for paint/bodywork. My Pops an I painted a few projects in our day and never had issues with old paint as a base. I understand a basket case or rusty body but what if tou're working with original factory paint? My Dad always said it was the best primer to have under your paint. In a state known for salty wet roads (and Bonneville trips), rust finds its way into any area not completely sealed. Help!

 

The only reason HAMBers strip all the paint is to see what is hidden , If you know its clean under the paint striping is not necessary unless you see or know its been painted a couple times...But once you start striping, take it all off,,,

 

I have painted a few cars in the past and had problems later on by not going that extra mile.

If I'm going to spend the kind of money it takes to do a good paint job in this day and age,,I will go to the bare metal and make sure I won't have anything popping out 3 years from now. HRP

 

If you want to build a car right than you really need to strip it down. You never know what is under the surface. Take my 53 for example. I thought the paint was decent. After a little sanding... 3/4 inches of bondo down both quarters and chicken wire and expanda foam under parts of it. It was hidden well.


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With the cost of quality paint these days, it's worth going the extra quarter mile and starting with bare metal.

 

Just like a house, it's only as good as the foundation. Make the foundation right or pay for it later.

 

I've seen rust that was hiding behind factory paint. I would have never known it was there if I didn't blast the whole car. Given it was a 69 Dart. I'm pretty sure anything in the 90s and up was prepped better and materials used are much better as well than some lacquer or acrylic junk.

If you plan to have razor straight body with slick as glass paint with hundreds of hours of blocking, what's the few days to strip a car?

 

And...........
It's an excellent way to show off some of the Talent we all share here on this Site. I love IT.

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You gotta admire it, plus what everyone eles said.

 

Do you really want to spend thousands of dollars have it come to bite you in the ass later on???

 

Done and done. Makes perfect sense. I think primers are much better these days as well for shooting over bare metal. Thanks guys.

 

x2 ...

 

Not only that... Primers or even clears are aggressive Nowadays ,. most areas would Probably swell or Ring .... Those old paints the cars were done it back in the day were Lead based, Paints and Primers. They sand like crap.. stripping the finish completely would give the best results

 

X2 on that---paint aint cheap

 

Excellent point! Also, we know better these days. The level of quality for the average guy is a few notches higher than even 30 years ago.

 

Always best to go down to bare metal.

 

If you want it done right, bare metal is the way to do it.

 

So let the fun begin!

 

Its good but jot necessary on every job.

 

If you are going to use two part primers and paint on a car that was painted with lacquere, you MUST strip it down to bare metal.

 

Old lacquers crack with age. Enamels weren't much better. Years of build up of wax and cleaners will come back to bit you. Never though twice about going to metal. Even then steps have to be taken to prevent contaminates or issues.

 

when you find an old car with many coats of paint common sense supplies the answer ---your dad was right---that is what sealer is for...