Does Painting Require Removing the Original Paint?
2 Answers
Painting does require removing the original paint because repainting increases the thickness of the paint film, making the painted area higher than the original surface. Therefore, the original paint must be cleaned off before applying new paint; otherwise, the paint surface will become uneven and noticeably raised. Precautions for full-body painting: 1. Pay attention to color differences; 2. Take protective measures; 3. Monitor the spray gun pressure and working environment during painting; 4. Control the baking time. The general painting process involves: first performing bodywork, grinding down the original paint and base layer of the area to be painted to a level two coats thinner than the standard paint surface, then applying putty, mixing paint, spraying, baking in a paint booth, and finally air-drying for over ten hours.
Whether you need to remove the original paint during a respray depends on the condition of the old paint. Having worked in auto body repair for years, I can tell you that if the existing paint is intact, without bubbling or cracking, you don’t need to strip it all off. Simply sand the surface lightly to roughen it up, ensuring the new paint adheres firmly. However, if the old paint is bubbling, peeling, or showing rust, it must be completely removed—either with chemical strippers or professional sanding tools. Otherwise, the new paint may peel, discolor, and compromise both appearance and durability. Never cut corners here, or you’ll face patchy paint loss within days, leading to customer complaints and costly rework. Surface prep is a critical step—ensure it’s clean and dry before spraying to save time, money, and guarantee quality. Remember: minor scratches can be sanded and painted over, but severe corrosion requires full removal.
