If you are going to carry out a major painting of the car body, then you will not be able to do without completely removing the old (or old) layer. Although if you are sure that your car is still painted with the original paint in good condition, then you can put a new layer on top. But in 95% of cases, the idea of painting comes due to the unfavorable condition and, accordingly, the appearance of the car’s paintwork. At the moment, there are three reliable ways to remove old paint, one of which is mechanical, and the other two are chemical.
If the car has not been repainted many times, then you can use a mechanical method - using a sanding machine. If you need to get to hard-to-reach parts of the body or repaint a car that has already had several layers of paint applied, then it is better to use chemical methods of removing the coating
. Before we begin describing the removal processes, you need to list the necessary things for the job:
- Scrapers;
- Brushes;
- Pumice;
- Sandstone;
- Respirator, long sleeves, heavy-duty waterproof gloves;
- Double action sander with 220 and 400 grit wheels;
- Water;
- Putty knife;
- Chem. solution;
- Spray;
- Compressor.
Removal methods
Let us consider in detail the existing methods of removing paint and answer the question that concerns you, how to wash off or remove paint from a car.
Chemical method
The essence of the method is based on the ability of chemical solvents to soften paint. After applying chemicals to the surface of the car body, solvent reagents destroy the enamel resin. Therefore, it can be easily removed using a spatula or scraper. Car dealerships sell a special solution for removing old paint from a car. It can be of two types:
Important! Chemicals can damage the plastic parts of your car.
The process of chemically removing paint must be carried out in the following sequence:
Did you know? Bright car paints are called “candy paints”. This name comes from the American word “candy” - lollipop.
Mechanical method
The mechanical method is more accessible, but also more labor-intensive. It is often used for localized paint removal. The process of removing paint mechanically must be carried out in the following sequence:
Thermal
The essence of this method is to soften the paint when heated and remove it with a scraper. You can heat it with a hair dryer, gas torch or blowtorch. This method is used to remove paint from individual dismantled parts. All plastic and rubber elements must be removed as they will be subject to deformation.
Important! Remember safety precautions: when heated, old paint releases toxic substances.
The thermal paint removal process is carried out in the following sequence:
Folk remedies
If you have a question about how to remove and how to remove paint from a car with your own hands, then sometimes you can remove it with improvised means.
To remove paint, use a 30% caustic soda solution. It is applied to the surface of the car with a brush and left for 12 hours, and then washed off with hot water. However, this will take a long time and require a large amount of soda, since the solution will constantly drain from vertical surfaces.
Some craftsmen prepare a paste that can be used to remove paint. Here are a few recipes for this pasta:
What should be the preparatory process?
For safety, remove all external accessories from your car; The sandblasting process removes chrome as well as paint, making it very easy to remove glass and any mirrored surface.
It is best to remove all vulnerable parts of the car or cover them with a fairly thick material. You may want to test your chosen material first to make sure the sandblaster won't penetrate it.
Manufacturers and suppliers of sandblasting equipment usually provide their products with diagrams that can help you determine the relationship between pressure and type of filler you need for certain tasks.
The filler is assessed according to the size of its grains of sand - the lower the number, the smaller the grain of sand.
For use on parts and surfaces of the car body, the acceptable range of numbers is from 40 (0.4 mm.) to 12 (0.1 mm.).
The filler also contains mixtures that combine different amounts of sand grains of different sizes. If you are unsure about the filler that is right for you, consult your sandblasting dealer or auto paint store.
The size of the filler and the pressure at which it is ejected are key factors in the entire sandblasting process.
Be sure to set the correct pressure or you will cause unnecessary deformation to the car body.
You will also need to think about your own protection from the sand ejected from the sandblaster. Therefore, you will need to wear thick gloves, long sleeves and a high-quality protective hoodie.
It's also a good idea to wear a quality respirator, preferably NIOSH-approved. The crushed filler will generate dust that is harmful to the respiratory system. You can buy a respirator, gloves, sandblaster and filler at many large auto painting equipment stores.
Equipment such as a home-use sandblaster that draws fill from a bucket can cost as little as $40 to more than $400 for high-end models.
A variety of exhaust ports require air compressors with the appropriate power, so on site, carefully study the diagrams included with them to select the correct exhaust port size; The fill and air pressure you use should be applicable to your current task.
Safety regulations
Using a thermal method of removing paint, you expose yourself to the risk of getting a thermal burn, since some parts of the hair dryer are heated to high temperatures.
With the chemical method, the inhaled air contains toxic substances, and with the mechanical method, the air is highly dusty. Therefore, it is imperative to use protective equipment for the skin, respiratory system and eyes, using thermal gloves, tight overalls, high-quality respirators, and goggles. It is also necessary to carry out this work in well-ventilated areas or in the open air. Take your safety responsibly, and this will protect your body from negative consequences.
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Sanding discs and attachments with aluminum oxide abrasive
These are grinder discs and drill attachments, which are essentially a variation of paper or fabric-based sanding discs designed for use on orbital sanders.
They are quite effective. You need to be careful when using coarse abrasive discs and attachments, as they easily scrape and heat the metal.
Such discs and attachments can be recommended for preparing surfaces for further puttying.
How to remove old paint from a car. Three options for solving the problem.
If you plan to restore the paintwork of your car, then in any case you will need to remove the old paint from the car. Of course, if the old layer of paint holds well, then you can leave it, only matte the surface and apply a primer. But both with complete and local paintwork repairs, you will in any case need to clean the car of paint, and if you plan to do everything yourself, then without knowledge of all technologies it may take you a lot of time and effort at this stage of work. We will try to offer you some of the most effective solutions to this issue.
What is needed to carry out the work?
Tools and consumables will largely depend on the method you choose for removing the coating from the car body, as well as on the type of part that you plan to restore, whether it be wheels or a car bumper. But there is a basic set that you will need.
Dipping
This method is unlikely to be suitable for use in garage conditions, but it is worth mentioning. The dipping takes place in a giant tank of acid. Hydrochloric acid is usually used. This method is used by professional restorers. There are various formulas that remove paint and attack rust.
This method is quite expensive, as it requires complete disassembly of the car and the presence of a huge container of acid. In essence, a completely disassembled body is dipped. Removable body panels are dipped separately.
When dipped in acid, it gets into all the joints of the body and remains there. This can become a problem during further priming and painting. Therefore, after dipping, further pressure washing and blowing of the body is required. “Bare” metal quickly oxidizes, so after all procedures, the body should be coated with primary acid primer.
How to easily remove paint from metal: 3 approaches
Removing paint from a car is a complex process, since most manufacturers use special compounds that are resistant to external influences. All methods used can be divided into accessible ones, the profitability of which is minimal, and professional ones. In the case of the latter, the use of expensive, highly specialized tools will be required. To carry out the work, you should have kerosene, a spatula, a grinder and a heat gun on hand.
There are three technologies for removing old paint:
The chemical method is considered the simplest. Today there are a large number of sprayers on sale designed specifically for these purposes. To get results, you only need to apply the product to the surface and wait a while for the reaction to occur. The downside of the approach is toxicity. The thermal method involves heating old paint, quickly softening it and then removing it with a spatula.
Important! The thermal method cannot be used when interacting with a cast iron or galvanized surface.
The mechanical method is manual stripping using a metal brush or sandpaper. It is only suitable for processing small surfaces, because it involves long-term work with the application of force.
Features of coloring in the service
Traditionally, professionals prefer the chemical method, which allows them to achieve the desired result in a short time.
Chemical removal involves the mandatory removal of old paint from hard-to-reach places. A variety of innovative tools allows you to quickly cope with large amounts of work. But removing the previous layer of paint from the car body must be done by a professional with special equipment.
A qualified specialist will accurately determine the method of removing the previous layer of paint after a preliminary inspection of the condition of the machine. The final result and the durability of the layer depend on compliance with the technology of performing the work. The cost of the procedure depends on the amount of work and method. If you want to do the work yourself, carefully study the recommendations of specialists and product manufacturers.
Author: Ekaterina
Temperature effects for paint removal: specifics
This principle is based on the technology of preliminary softening of the old coating by heating it. To do this, an industrial hair dryer, gas burner or compact blowtorch is most often used. Once the paint has softened, it can be quickly scraped off with a regular metal spatula. Exposure to temperature is an easy-to-implement and effective way to remove paintwork from a body. But it also has its drawbacks.
It should not be used if paint is being removed from plastic, since the material itself will begin to melt when the temperature reaches 200°C. It is also necessary to strictly observe safety precautions when working with equipment that creates a directed stream of open flame. When carrying out work in closed workshops, the use of such devices is excluded, since when heated, the paint releases toxic substances, which, in the absence of ventilation, will poison the body of the master.
Removing layers of paint from a car body - cheap methods
You can prepare a completely effective and high-quality paint remover with your own hands. For this you will need good caustic soda and some water. A solution containing 15-20 percent of this material can remove the paint layer by layer. But to work with such a liquid, personal safety must be observed. Soda can quickly corrode not only enamel, but also skin. Also, when looking for an idea on how to remove paint, you can use the washing method:
No chemicals are used. The only liquid involved is water, but in this case there will be a lot of manual work. This kind of washing of even one small part can take a lot of time, but the layers will be removed exactly to the extent that you need. After washing down to the primer, you will need to lubricate the metal parts with a degreasing solvent, and you can paint.
Special paint removers – Abro or Body 700?
At your auto store, you can find liquids specifically designed to remove layers of paint from your car. Washing helps to clean the surface down to metal or remove the required number of layers of paint material. The Body company offers a fairly effective option - Body 700 liquid. Removing paint from a car will happen in a matter of minutes, and you won’t have to work for it. But we also suggest looking at Abro products with the following features:
This wash works great, even if you need to remove the factory paint layers. The product meets high quality standards. If you are going to purchase such a specialized material, then Abro paint remover is the recommended option. Many specialists in the painting business use just such products to perform the necessary tasks. But make sure that you buy the original product, there are many fake liquids with low quality.
Metal on disks - we wash the paint professionally
Wheels often need to be updated when changing or freshening up the appearance of your car. This is what wears out quite quickly, so you constantly need to take care of this element of the car. In this case, washing off the old paint is necessary, since otherwise it will not be possible to carry out the normal application of new decorative materials. You need to wash it off with special means, since rinsing and caustic soda will not help here.
The problem is that the surface of the disk has many curves and small details that are extremely difficult to process in the required mode. For this reason, you need to perform high-quality treatment with a special liquid. You can use the products presented above or choose other brands. It is only important to read the instructions and understand that this particular option is suitable for your task of processing car wheels.
Removing paint mechanically
The mechanical method is the best option for processing a small area of the car surface, because it requires a lot of time. In this case, you will need the following:
A sanding machine will allow you to thoroughly remove paint from the entire car, and use a wire brush as a sanding disc.
It is practiced to use a compressor equipped with a sandblasting nozzle. But to remove old paint from a car using this method, experience is required; without professional training, it is quite problematic to remove the previous layer of paint.
You should refrain from using this method if the paint is elastic, because it will not be possible to properly clean the surface of the car. And the purchase of special equipment will significantly affect the budget.
Mechanical removal of paintwork from a car does not require special preparation; it is enough to gently press the grinding machine disk onto the area being treated (avoid excessive force); periodically remove loose particles. After completing the “cleaning”, wash off the dust and dirt with water.
Removing paint mechanically
Removing the previous layer thermally
The thermal method involves the use of the following means:
- blowtorch;
- gas burner;
- industrial hair dryer;
- scraper;
- hard brush.
The surface must be heated using a blowtorch, gas torch, or a special hair dryer, and then the softened paint must be carefully removed from the surface of the car with a brush or scraper.
Avoid strong pressure, otherwise you will cause deep damage to the material. This method is relevant for treating a small area; cleaning the entire car in this way with your own hands will be quite difficult, but also possible.
Care should be taken to treat areas of the car body located in close proximity to plastic parts that are vulnerable to high temperatures.
In order not to be poisoned by toxic substances released during the heating of the paint layer, it is recommended to perform work in the fresh air, wearing a respirator.
Removing paint materials from plastic surfaces
Among automotive plastic parts in the painting process, it is worth highlighting two options. These are interior parts and parts of the exterior of the car. The bumper most often has the same coating as the metal parts of the car. The inner plastic is painted in a different type of painting material. The question arises as to how to remove paint on a plastic part. There are several options for action in this case:
This procedure is more subtle than removing paint from metal, so it must be done carefully. If the surface of the plastic is damaged, the part will have to be leveled, which will bring completely different costs and time. If you need to completely remove the paint layer from a product, it is better to do it yourself. Even when ordering professional painting of an element in a chamber, you will receive significant savings on the preparatory processes.
How to remove paint from a car without damaging the paintwork - tips from experienced people.
Before wiping anything off, I advise you to try the solvent on the inside of the body, for example, on the rear side of the door from below, where few people will notice if the solvent corrodes the paint. We literally apply a drop of solvent to the body and wait about 5 minutes. The internal surfaces of the body, as a rule, are simply painted, not covered with a thick layer of varnish like the outer side of the body. And if the solvent does not remove the paint, then you can safely scrub the paint off the car body with it. If you still have a strong solvent, you will have to combine it with pouring water on the part that you are wiping immediately, otherwise the solvent will leave marks on the body, although in any case it is worth rinsing the surface with water after wiping. In one place the paint did not come off well, since the body was gray and the paint was red. I had to polish it, I used an abrasive polish and a regular one. After polishing there was no trace of paint left.
Let's sum it up
There are various products that are used to remove paintwork. Removing old paint from metal or plastic can be done using different tools and technologies. Using simple options for inexpensive materials, you will have to work hard and do a lot of work with your own hands. However, the procedure will be cheap. You can give preference to products that work perfectly and do not present any problems. But such liquids cost a lot and will require compliance with a number of instructions.
When working with any chemically active elements, do not forget to protect yourself. If you do not want to do the work yourself, you can order services from specialists. But in this case, you will have to pay quite a lot for materials, work itself, as well as the company’s standard markup. You can easily perform these tasks with your own hands, even without special training.
Clean 'N Strip wheels
These discs are made of large silicon carbide fibers (XCS - Extra Coarse Silicon Carbide) and are black in color. There are even more wear-resistant Clean and Strip discs in blue, which have a similar structure, but consist of large nylon threads.
Disc “Clean and Strip”
There are only two options for using these discs - for a drill and for an angle grinder. They are very effective and compare favorably to other paint removal discs. They do not clog or damage the metal. These discs are also suitable for removing rust and welding spatter, sealants and anticorrosion agents. They last for a long time. Clean and Strip discs can be used until they are completely worn out.
After the advent of Clean and Strip abrasive discs, many craftsmen from all over the world appreciated this product and began to use it, replacing other abrasive attachments. Many who have tried using such disks note their high efficiency and speed.
How to remove old paint from a car. Three options for solving the problem.
If you plan to restore the paintwork of your car, then in any case you will need to remove the old paint from the car. Of course, if the old layer of paint holds well, then you can leave it, only matte the surface and apply a primer. But both with complete and local paintwork repairs, you will in any case need to clean the car of paint, and if you plan to do everything yourself, then without knowledge of all technologies it may take you a lot of time and effort at this stage of work. We will try to offer you some of the most effective solutions to this issue.
What is needed to carry out the work?
Tools and consumables will largely depend on the method you choose for removing the coating from the car body, as well as on the type of part that you plan to restore, whether it be wheels or a car bumper. But there is a basic set that you will need.
You will also need detergents to pre-clean the surface from dirt and dust.
Basic ways to remove paint from a car
Based on their technology, there are three main approaches on the market: chemical, mechanical and thermal. Each method has both pros and cons.
In order to use the chemical method, you will need to buy paint remover and a brush to apply it to the surface of the car body. You will also need a spatula.
When machining, a grinding machine and abrasives of various sizes are used, sometimes sandpaper with a block to remove the coating in hard-to-reach places.
For heat treatment, you will need a good industrial hair dryer or blowtorch complete with a scraper and a stiff metal brush.
Related article: How thick should paint be on a car? Table with values and verification technology.
Chemical method
This is one of the effective options for removing paint from a car. Its essence is simple, you apply the material to the surface with a brush, wait 10 - 20 minutes and then use a scraper to remove the old layer of paint. After you apply the chemical composition to the problem area of the body, its reagents will begin to destroy the enamel resin and it will begin to move away from the metal surface.
There are two types of such paint remover:
There are also cases when formic or phosphoric acid is used to clean paint from a car. Chemical compounds are often used to remove paint in hard-to-reach places where it is impossible to reach with a grinding machine.
Remember about personal protection when working with chemicals; do not allow this material to come into contact with the skin or other parts of the body. To do this, use goggles, gloves, a protective suit and a respirator.
If you locally need to remove a small area of paint, then for these purposes you can use white spirit, solvent No. 648 or R-4.
Work technology:
At this point all work is completed.
Mechanical method
This is a more labor-intensive option for removing acrylic paint from a car. To implement it, use a grinding machine and, in rare cases, for local repairs, sand the surface manually using sandpaper.
Related article: How to polish a car body by hand? Complete instructions for carrying out work.
The technology of work is as follows:
Mechanical methods for cleaning old paintwork include sandblasting, which uses a compressor and a sprayer that supplies air with sand under high pressure and thus, acting on the car body, removes a layer of paint.
When is it better to use the help of a professional when chemically etching a car's paint?
Still, if you want to chemically clean the entire body or more than one panel, we recommend that you use the services of a professional in this field. Contact your nearest car service center; they probably have these types of services.
If you are inclined to go for professional work, then contact them in advance to find out if you need to make an appointment to dismantle the body or individual parts.
It will be your sole responsibility if you decide to completely disassemble the vehicle body before processing. Be as careful as possible.
It is also important to detect whether the putty remains on the surface of the body. You can clean it with a magnet or a grinder. Of course, the magnet itself will not be attracted to the putty.
When you find putty residue and it is more than 3mm thick, then you will have to use a sander before cleaning. If the putty layer is less than 3 mm, it should come off easily after sanding. Remember that only completely metal body parts can be placed in the solution.
