CollisionBlast.com – This video is photos of BCC students paint their Ford project. This project was a complete and required removal of door handles and trim, headlights, tail lights, etc. This is just a video of the progress on the project of the complete paint job.
Stripping Paint Down To The Metal
In this article I am going to post a few videos demonstrating the different ways to strip a car to metal. I am often asked if it is necessary to strip the paint finish to metal when performing a complete paint job. Or, they feel stripping the paint to the metal will produce a higher quality result. However, if the paint on the vehicle is in good condition, it is not necessary to strip the paint off. In fact, it’s better to leave the original finish and e-coat that was applied at the factory. If that is the case, all that is needed is proper cleaning and final sanding and you’re ready to paint.
What if the paint is not is good condition? Well, that is when stripping comes in. Some of the paint defects that may require stripping are: peeling, rust, checking, cracking, paint too thick, etc. If one of these paint defects are present, it may be necessary to partial strip or strip to metal. I know of three ways to strip: media blasting, chemical strippers, and sanding. Well, if the paint is not adhering well you can also blow, pressure wash or scrape the paint off. Below I fond a few videos on YouTube demonstrating a few of stripping techniques.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB318hvRHZQ[/youtube]
Media Blasting
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwwZAZi2N1c[/youtube]
Chemical Stripping
The third way is to use a Dual Action sander and sand the paint off with course grit sandpaper followed by a finer grit sandpaper. If you only have one or two panels to strip, I believe that this is the easiest method to use. Most shops do not have a media blaster and chemicals are messy. However, if you are doing a restoration job that there is evidence of rust, I would recommend the media blasting. You may have to sublet that out to a company that is know for doing good work.
How did I become interested in Collision Repair!
I quess my interest in Collision repair started when I was in 9th grade in what used to be called junior high school, an older friend of the family had been to the vocational high school and had spent some time in the Auto Body program where he painted his car, being a kid who loved to work with my hands take things apart, built things go carts, mini bikes from junk engines and things, this seemed to me to be something I would enjoy doing. My dad had four brothers and I looked up to them all and they where all tradesmen. before thirteen I did more hands on than your typical kid of the same age. Prior to even knowing what auto body was I totally disassembled a mini bike I had put together and refinished it, even the motor was taken apart and refinished with high temp black and the seat got reupholstered, at the time I thought nothing of it, but now thinking of it as I write this few kids these days have these early hands on experiences. Anyway back to he question once in the auto body program I knew this was for me I thrived in the program and my teacher who by the way was not the lead teacher Mr. Stevens really took me under his wing and kept me working he coached me threw a complete paint job on my sisters friends Pontiac in my sophomore year and another my friends brothers Oldsmobile in my junior year. In my sophomore year I got a job after school in a repair shop and it was great. I learned what I could in school and in the shop, that was 1978 and I have always been working to increase my knowledge ever since. I have worked with guys who have gone on to work the insurance side of the fence and sold their tools, I have been employed as a staff appraiser and gain some good knowledge doing so but I could never sell my tools I still love to repair damaged car. This is the back ground, value and passion I bring to the young people I work with as I encourage them to always do their best and continue to increase their knowledge and skill.