I am working on the body awaiting additional funds..I spent 6 hours today sanding the old paint (2 old coats of paint + primer) off down to the metal..Two coats of etching primer two coats of filler primer and two coats of sealer reapplied...Only got the roof and one rear quarter done.. Is there a faster way of removing the old paint without disassembling the doors and front quarters??? I am using a orbital sander and it is eating the disc's fast..Using 60 grit to break through top layers of paint and primer and cleaning it up with 150 does this sound right or am I doing damage to the metal..Only found small amount of bondo skim coat on rear quarter and lower area where it was expected... Taking the day off tomorrow and going to local car show to pick a few brains about paint..
Also risky on sheetmetal if not done by someone experienced, fairly flat panels can end up a warped mess. But some places do media blast reasonable, so if you can get a guarentee they won't ruin panels, might be the way to go if you want to save yourself the labor. If you are using a small 6" da to do it, it will take awhile to remove layers of paint. I still prefer sanding to strip large exterior panels. I us an 8" orbital (such as a national detroit 900) and actually start with 36 grit, and when down switch to 80 on a 6" da to do final cleaning up. But you will need a compressor that can power it, they are kinda air hogs. Some may say 36 is too course, but I havent had a problems this way. Stripped many paint peelers at the ford dealership this way in the early 90's. I hate paint stripper cause it is messy and can get where you don't want it if you don't tape off seams and body gaps. Actually I use a combination of blasting, paint stripper, media blasting and handsanding when stripping a car. All have areas where they seem to work the best and easiest. But for large exterior panels I sand. But majority of things in autobody take time and work to achieve, so if your in a big hurry and don't have patience, then it probably isn't for you. People often wonder why costs are so high that have never done it. Besides material costs being so much, its labor intensive and to do the job well and properly, many hours are racked up. Is there any particular reason you are using etching primer. If you are sanding this and the metal is clean, there really is no reason you would need etch. I'd personally use an epoxy primer in its place, which is 2k, will give better corrosion protection, is compatable with almost everything. Epoxy when cured will not be soluable like etch will, and is the only primer that is non porous, which will seal the surface from air and moisture. Also sticks great to sanded and clean bare metal. You can apply bodyfiller over epoxy primer if you wish (if within its window no scuffing is needed first), where as most etch primers have strict warning against applying bodyfiller over or applying it over bodyfiller. And urethane primer, as far as I've heard only 2k finishing type fillers are recommended in moderation after sanding.
Ya media blasting is the way to go. Sand causes too much heat as you have to use high pressure to do the work. I had my entire car done with baking soda. and this only requires low pressure to use. Am told 35lbs.Very messy, as the stuff gets into everything. Had complete car done in 1 day. The cost was 800. Canadian but if you add up all the hours you would spend to strip the car yourself, it works out the same and you dont need to buy a high volume compressor. I would reccomend media blasting as the way to go. as long as you "Dont" use sand, the media stuff wont scratch glass or stainless trim. You should have all glass or trim removed anyways.. TTFN RON
do not use a grinder on flat metal.. it will heat up too fast.. a DA sander is preferred if using a sanding device.. media blasting.. walnut shell blasting.. or paint remover.. paint remover is bad for the environment, and if you cleaned up the mess and did a little at a time it would be fine... as far as your re apply goes. make sure you are blocking out your filler primer before sealing it.. the sealer should not be sanded before paint
