Can You Paint over Existing Auto Paint?

You can paint over an existing auto paint. The finish needs to be in good shape to ensure that you get the best results.

If you intend to repaint the entire car or repair a chip, you need to remember that preparation is equally important as applying the paint.

The tedious work of stripping the vehicle to bare metal isn’t required. You can quickly paint over existing auto paint with a few tips.

If there is no peeling, a faded finish should not be a problem. The only thing you need to do is wash the car and apply a wax and grease removal product.

If you’re wondering if you can do a repaint of your car over the existing paint, you’ve come to the right place.

I will show you how to paint a car over existing auto paint and explain some things you need to consider for a successful paint job.

How Can I Paint a Car Over Existing Auto Paint?

When you want to paint over existing paint, you should remove as much hardware as possible. There are side markers, mirrors, and taillights.

If you don’t want to paint or destroy rubber trim, door handles, or anything else, you should cover it.

Prepare all the surfaces where you want to paint with a red Scotch-Brite scrubbing pad. The custom paint will stick to the scratching base.

During the prep, you should scratch and remove paint. To remove wax and scratched paint dust, cover all of the areas you don’t want to paint.

You should not touch the vehicle surface after cleaning. It is advisable to clean it again if you want to apply paint.

Your project is ready to be painted after completing the above steps.

Before you start painting, make sure you read the instructions carefully. Every product has application instructions.

Things to Consider

Right Place:

If you are going to paint your car, you should think of a dry place to do it in. Dry, clean, and temperature-controlled are the ideal places for painting.

If you don’t have a garage, then you need to rent it. Is it legal for you to prep and paint in the place you have in mind?

That is dependent on the laws of your state. You have to set aside money to rent a body shop if it is illegal.

Right Gear:

Proper tools and equipment will be needed for painting, unlike most do-it-yourself projects. You must have a painting gun, an air compressor, and a moisture separator.

Ensuring the compressor meets the requirement of the paint gun is one of the most important things you can do.

There are different types of paint guns, including gravity-feed and siphon-feed. The lesser effects of paint guns on the environment are why they are recommended today.

The gear that is meant to protect your health is important. You will need goggles, a respirator, nitrile gloves, and a painter’s overall.

How Deep to Strip

The only things that need to be removed when painting over the existing finish are the clear coat and any wax or grease.

If you suspect the vehicle’s surface needs proper sanding due to other damages, you may want to strip it to bare metal.

Right Paint

You have to ensure that you have the right paint for your project. You might want to invest in high-quality paint and a premium clear coat if you’re looking for long life.

Is It Possible To Prime Over Auto Paint?

It’s possible to prime auto paint. If you are just repairing a chip you should not apply more than one coat.

If you want to apply the new paint, you need to use one coat of primer. The re-painted part shouldn’t be noticed.

The primer will stick to the old paint better than the spray will. You can only make sure that you are working with a good primer.

Is It Possible To Paint Over Automotive Clear Coats?

New paint will not adhere to the existing automotive clear coat. Clear Coat is applied on top of the base coat to protect it. It’s hard for other things to stick to it.

You won’t have to remove the entire paint when doing touch-up work. To get the new paint to stick, you need to clear the coat on the affected area.

To blend the paint well and be unnoticeable, you need to paint a larger area than the chip part.

How Long to Wait to Apply Clear Cut?

Allow the base coat to stand for 30 minutes before applying the clear coat. It is recommended to apply 5 wet coats before applying the next one.

To find out if the paint is dry, don’t touch it with your fingers. Touch the tape line instead of touching the tape line.

Depending on the surrounding conditions, this waiting time can be different. Cold and humid environments shorten the drying time, while hot and dry environments speed it up.

Conclusion

You can paint over existing paint, but it should be in good shape to get desirable results.

If you want to do the painting project on your own, make sure you have the right gear and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

It could not be perfect for the first time. You will be able to master it with the right equipment.