Any Auto Painters on Here?

[MarshRam]

This grill is the black metallic flake and I am going to paint it with PX8 gloss black. Would it be necessary to completely strip the old paint or can I just rough up the clear coat with a couple grades of light grit, primer and then paint.

Thanks

 

[CincyCuda68]

I’d hit it with 400-600 wet, prime, paint and clear.

 

[likes2build]

Wash it with soap and water, degrease it (even 90%+ isopropyl alcohol will work) and then use a red 3M scuff pad, wash it again. Pads work much better and easier than sandpaper and remember that plastic parts attract static electricity and dust like crazy so hit it lightly with a tack rag after your base coat is applied and completely dry.

 

[MarshRam]

Thanks all. Got everything I need, just didn't want to have to strip it. Just stripped down my step bars and that was tons of fun!

 

[likes2build]

Stripping is nasty. Honestly you don't even need to prime the grill if the factory paint is good. The less film build you have the better you will be and that black metallic as a base under the PX8 will cover almost instantly.

 

[MarshRam]

Stripping is nasty. Honestly you don't even need to prime the grill if the factory paint is good. The less film build you have the better you will be and that black metallic as a base under the PX8 will cover almost instantly.

Are you saying to just spray right over as it is. I have one extremely small scuff on it, maybe 1/2 long by a couple millimeters wide. Guess there would be a slight dip there, but barely noticeable.

 

[likes2build]

You only need to use primer/surfacer on any repaired areas to build them back up to level. Any areas that are undamaged and have good factory paint on them just need to be cleaned, scuffed, cleaned, basecoated and clear applied. Primer will not be as chip resistant as the good factory paint and if you get a stone chip, primer will be much more visible than the OEM black metallic underneath. Adhesion is going to come from cleanliness and scuffing it really good with the red pad.

 

[MarshRam]

You only need to use primer/surfacer on any repaired areas to build them back up to level. Any areas that are undamaged and have good factory paint on them just need to be cleaned, scuffed, cleaned, basecoated and clear applied. Primer will not be as chip resistant as the good factory paint and if you get a stone chip, primer will be much more visible than the OEM black metallic underneath. Adhesion is going to come from cleanliness and scuffing it really good with the red pad.

Thanks!