Paint or primer ?

[GIT-R-DONE]

As we all know, our first gen trucks had the paint peeling problem. I have talked to many people on this issue and have gotten mixed reactions and answers.



With me now starting the bodywork on my restoration truck, the florida front clip I bought had the paint peeling on mainly the hood. It was a solid color (white) but some of the paint can be peeled off with a razorblade.



My question is, should I take all the paint off including the primer, or should I strip it all down to metal and start all over? Its not that hard to take the factory primer off, but would be a little more time, I just dont know if I need to do it? Suggestions/ideas ?

 

[dpuckett]

If you have the time and means, I'd strip her down.



Daniel

 

[Philip]

Take it all the way down. I have seen paint overs that peeled the paint a year or so later.

 

[PToombs]

Yes, strip it. The original primer was not UV resistant, once the paint or clear coat wore down the sun destroyed the primer, that's why they peel.

 

[Moab4x4]

If you decide not to strip it down, an old auto body trick is to use good masking tape or duct tape to test areas of the original paint. If the tape will pull the paint off, stripping it is not optional. Areas that still have that much adhesion strength haven't suffered as much UV damage and should be protected by the new paint.



That being said, I would strip it all down if this is anything other than a work truck.

 

[stakedd]

I would definitely strip the out side body as new Primer is often incompatible with the old crap. I tried just scuffing the paint and primer on my cowl and the new primer lifted. the only place that I would not strip is the door jambs only because it is a pain but make sure they are well scuffed and very clean. P. S. make sure that you use a good etching primer on bare mettle. and block 600 guid block 800 opt guid block 1000. the primer work will make or brake a paint job.

 

[Headshot zod]

strip it, prime in John Deer yellow and paint it John Deer black

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

strip it, prime in John Deer yellow and paint it John Deer black

You got any pics of those colors?

 

[PToombs]

strip it, prime in John Deer yellow and paint it John Deer black

Don't listen to that ding-a-ling! John Deere green with yellow wheels!

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Don't listen to that ding-a-ling! John Deere green with yellow wheels!

Being that I am not a John Deere fan, I dont think thats gonna happen.



I am interested in different paint schemes though, as I havent decided what color(s) to paint it. Any ideas, designs out there?

 

[stakedd]

finished paint a week ago. the red is a homemade 3 stage copy of dodge inferno red 2 cots of clear. the black is a singel stage high gloss 3 cots. truck was striped completely. lots of body work, welded all holes fore molding. primed and blocked twice. used front bumper off 1988 dodge new grill. matching jet boat built at the begginig of the summer

 

[stakedd]

rep

repeat trying to get a better pick quality

 

[Headshot zod]

Hotrodders.com 26 page thread on John Deer Blitz Black



Wikipedia abbreviated version with quicklinks to pics. Some work some don't



I think it looks great with lots of chrome

 

[Headshot zod]

-

 

[PToombs]

Being that I am not a John Deere fan, I dont think thats gonna happen.



/

Just kidding, I've seen it done. Looks nasty on a truck!

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Question, maybe someone can answer. As I strip the paint off and have nothing but a steel body to work with. . . . . . after the primer is on, do you have to continue sanding the primer again for more primer, or would it then be ready for paint?



In the past , any vehicle I did body work on, I never stripped everything off and just had the metal showing, just wondering the procedure for this to get ready for paint.



Still not getting many ideas for paint combinations though. I was thinking black with flames on it using the paint that changes colors. How would that look?

 

[stakedd]

yes you need to sand the primer before you paint. I like to do major body work before stripping entirely because dents are easy to find. 320 - 1200 grit will be rough enough to stick paint but will not show cuts. i wold definitely primer and block at list 2 times. paint will not fill holes scratches etc it will make them look worse. i have found all sorts of dents wile blocking (1200 wet). spray the truck with water and look down the side when you think that all the body work is dune. good indication what the truck will look like painted. the darker the culler the more work to make look good. black is the worst. but it looks cool. so do flames. as fare as strippig there has never been a worse primer / paint combo than the one on your truck. don't put good paint on top of it. my truck took about 50-55 hrs of prep to get in the paint booth. I took a picture of my truck and played around with culler combos on a MS paint program. kind of fun.

 

[ABachar]

I've been looking at painting my rig as well, however I have no experience painting. Is there a good site out there where I can get the most beginner painting information? Paint shops in the area have not been very helpful. I have learned alot from this thread already.



As far as cool color schemes there is a picture of a first gen in the TDR I just got in the mail. I do not have it here in my office, or I would tell you the page. I think it was the article on some tractor pulling event. Kinda a new classic look with no molding. However you cant go wrong with flames.

 

[stakedd]

I don't know abought internet sights but I have found the paint supply stores to be ferry helpful. body shops will have a local supplier of paint ETC. if you can figure out who the supplier is you can go their yourself and buy professional products at a good price. they are often veery nice and quite noligibule on the products they sell. they can explain how to use the thinners catalysts hardener etchers and of corse paint and primer there. you will need all of the products listed. they can sell you the mixing cups that will make the paint mixing much more simple. autobodydepote.net is an good site to get an idea of prices I spent 1200 on paint material alone. you may check out some of your community collages. many of them have night classes on body and paint work. most of them will let you bring in yore own project and let you use there tools. Remember how fun auto shop was.

 

[k2diesel]

I've done my own body and paint work for about 30 years now. I was lucky enough to work with and learn from some good bodymen/painters when I was a kid. There is a very good informative website Autobodystore.com go to classroom,basics. They go into exacting detail how to replace panels, staighten all kinds of dents, apply body filler, block sand, prime paint color sand , compound, you name it. They also have a forum to ask specific questions. The moderators are professional body & paint guys with real good info. Give em a try! Good Luck... . Kenny