Paint/Body guru's...paint thickness question

[Travis Munday]

I've got a question regarding my project truck...this thing has been painted and repainted numerous times, in places there are 5, 6, even 7 or more layers of paint over the metal body. I don't have a paint thickness gauge to check the actual thickness, but how thick is too thick? I've gotten rid of most of the paint in the areas where it was way too thick, but should I get rid of the paint everywhere else too? A little late now due to bodywork, but better late then never.

 

[Frank Marano]

i think 4 microns? If I remember correctly? I am probably wrong though.........

 

[David Replogle]

Travis,



Don't have alot of time to go in depth on an answer here. But I have posted about this before, try some searching and you will find it. Try words like "paint thickness" and "mils" and I'm sure you will come across it.



But more importantly than thickness is what type of paint is currently on the truck. Need to keep in mind that todays modern paints don't really like to be laid over some old enamel. Could have lots of problems with lifting and cracking and all kinds of other issues. You also need to keep in mind that a paint job is only as good as the lowest basecoat that touches the metal. If some person somewhere along the life of this truck had it painted with some cheap primer/sealer it isn't really gonna matter much how good you paint it if the underlaying isn't any good.



I know you have spent a huge amount of time getting this truck ready for paint, now isn't the time to start skimping on the extra labor it is going to take to remove ALL of the old paint down to bare metal. I also know that you are probably getting anxious and want to see some color on it soon. But skimp on the labor now and you are gonna have problems down the road a year or so from now. I would hate to see all of your hard work go to waste because of some skimping. Its never "to late due to body work" or anything else.....trust me on this my friend.

 

[Travis Munday]

I'm anxious, yes, but not enough so to comprimise to quality of the build. The strange thing is, that in some areas the paint is really thick, and in others it looks like it was previously stripped (or a replacement panel) and there only seems to be the stock basecoat, then the red we got it in.



Without knowing the history of the truck, and even less of the paint that's on it, i'm not willing to risk ruining the paint because I got lazy....espically the paint that's gonna be sprayed on this thing.



There is still plenty to do to the truck, so paint is a long time off still. Hoping for a debut for next show season, spring or so.