Primer Removal

[Jim D.]

What's the best way to remove primer? I've tried using Acetone and a scrub brush but its not working or I'm not doing something right.

[Jim T.]

Re: Primer Removal

What are you removing primer from?

[Bill W.]

Re: Primer Removal

Lacquer thinner and a red scotch bright pad .if it is lacquer primer .

[Dick W.]

Re: Primer Removal

Lacquer thinner and a red scotch bright pad .if it is lacquer primer .

At, for the days of yesteryear. Lacquer removing solvent and Scotchbrite pads. Strip a Corvette in just a few hours, down to the bare glass. Carcinogens, Nah, we never worried about such things

[Gene M.]

Re: Primer Removal

Jim,
If it is a catalyzed primer, lacquer thinner will not touch it. You will need a stripper to remove or a lot of sanding. But if it is a catalyzed primer why not leave it?

[Bill W.]

Re: Primer Removal

The old paints and primers were full of lead .Because that was bad for us painters / bodymen they replaced it with catalyzed primers and paint with "the good stuff " isocynates . Now along with the lead poisoning we get cancer and melanoma .

[Timothy B.]

Re: Primer Removal

Jim,
If it is a catalyzed primer, lacquer thinner will not touch it. You will need a stripper to remove or a lot of sanding. But if it is a catalyzed primer why not leave it?

My thoughts exactly, why not leave it..

[Jim D.]

Re: Primer Removal

How can you tell what kind of primer it is? I know its not the original cause the car was repainted an non-original color in the late 80's. The car was originally white and it was painted red. I've stripped the red off but I come across a dark grey layer, I've tried some acetone on it but it didn't do anything. BTW, the car is a 66.

[John M.]

Re: Primer Removal

Jim, I took off what I could with Captain Lee's stripper which left the red primer (it's a 67) which I then wet sanded off to keep the dust down. That red stuff is extremely rugged and probably doesn't need to come off. I removed it because the painter wanted it gone. Not a huge job but time consuming.

[Duke W.]

Re: Primer Removal

What John said... Unless you suspect a problem with the undelying fiberglass and you want to expose it for inspection, there is really no need to remove the reddish-brown OE primer. A backside inspection will usually reveal any previous fiberglass repairs that you may want to expose to see if it any rework is needed.

About the only way I know of to remove the that OE primer is sanding. I don't know of any paint stripper or solvent that will attack it. It's like armor plating on a battleship - very tough, durable, long-lived stuff.

I wonder if today's primers are as good.

Duke

[Dick W.]

Re: Primer Removal

What John said... Unless you suspect a problem with the undelying fiberglass and you want to expose it for inspection, there is really no need to remove the reddish-brown OE primer. A backside inspection will usually reveal any previous fiberglass repairs that you may want to expose to see if it any rework is needed.

About the only way I know of to remove the that OE primer is sanding. I don't know of any paint stripper or solvent that will attack it. It's like armor plating on a battleship - very tough, durable, long-lived stuff.

I wonder if today's primers are as good.

Duke

The old lacquer removing solvents would work with a Scotchbrite pad. Today's primers are like comparing granite to peanut butter

[Jim D.]

Re: Primer Removal

Duke, Its not the OE primer, car was repainted an unoriginal color back in the late 80's, this stuff on it is dark grey and it won't come off with acetone.

[Duke W.]

Re: Primer Removal

Then you'll have to use abrasive or some combination of abrasive and solvent that have been suggested.

Try sanding a small area first. I wouldn't be surprised if you see that OE primer just before you get to the fiberglass.

Duke