Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help!

Posted By: VITC_GTX

Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 08:52 PM

Looking to repaint the Demon (pic attached). This car is wearing it's original paint but I am going with a color change to Sassy Grass. Can I just do spot body work and then scuff/prime/paint over the existing paint? If so, is it really that much of a time saver or should I just sand it down to bare metal? One twist, the quarters have had Pam cooking spray and WD-40 in them to help with rubber from burn outs.

Not looking for a perfect car but a really nice daily driver with paint that looks as good as a new car.

Attached picture 4752753-Demonsmall.jpg

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 08:58 PM

The short answer is yes, you can, but there is a risk of certain types of paint failures (lifting/checking etc) in doing so. Keep in mind that paint is 35+ years old.

But you wouldn't be the first to scuff & squirt a job like that.

Posted By: VITC_GTX

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 09:07 PM

Are these problems something I would see after spraying primer and waiting a few weeks or could they show up after color is squirted (months later)?

Posted By: 4BBodies

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 09:23 PM

If it has one layer of factory paint, and it isn't cracking, then shoot it.........it will be fine. Multiple layers, no............you will have to take it down. Chrysler paint held up better than GM from my experience, prime it with a good urethane primer, and it should hold up.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 09:35 PM

Certainly a problem could show up later, but thats true if you take it to bare metal too.
IF the paint's in really good shape (no heavy oxidation, chalking, checking, craking, pealing etc.) and you degrease really well (BEFORE ANY sanding scuffing) you might be fine. I would sand/scuff REALLY well--leave NOTHING glossy that will be painted. As you sand you will have a pretty good idea of the strength of the existing paint--if it flies off as soon as it see's sandpaper thats not good!

Its a good way to a fast cheap paint job (and thats OK) but its not the best way--I think you know that.

Posted By: reflections7

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/15/08 11:17 PM

If you are spraying urethane ie base clear over the old paint then use a epoxy mixed as a sealer before you spray the color coat. You can go ahead and do your body work and prime over the original paint but I would reccomend a sealer. BTW you dont need that much sealer just a light coat usually a qt mixed with hardner and reduced is about 2 qts sprayable plenty to do the car so dont let them sell you a gallon.

Posted By: reno340

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/16/08 12:27 AM

Why would you want to paint an original paint car? Plus,I think that color adds character to the car. Seen too many sassy grass green A-Bodies I guess. Just remember this, a car only has original paint once! Would be a shame.

Posted By: VITC_GTX

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/16/08 01:54 AM

Quote:

Why would you want to paint an original paint car? Plus,I think that color adds character to the car. Seen too many sassy grass green A-Bodies I guess. Just remember this, a car only has original paint once! Would be a shame.

I agree that original paint can be a neat feature but I just can't go with the brown. I'm sure there are more Sassy Grass Demons now than they actually made in '71 & '72, but I know they made one too many brown ones

Posted By: demon440

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters h - 10/16/08 06:23 AM

Cool looking Demon.
I agree 2 many brown Demons.
I am changing mine to silver
with black stripes.

Attached picture 4753732-r.side(Medium).jpg

Posted By: AdamR

Re: Can I paint over the original paint? Pro painters help! - 10/16/08 11:28 AM

Quote:

If you are spraying urethane ie base clear over the old paint then use a epoxy mixed as a sealer before you spray the color coat. You can go ahead and do your body work and prime over the original paint but I would reccomend a sealer. BTW you dont need that much sealer just a light coat usually a qt mixed with hardner and reduced is about 2 qts sprayable plenty to do the car so dont let them sell you a gallon.