Remove Primer

[Grandpa Hilljack]

I’m looking for any suggestions on how to remove random primer from my truck. Let me explain. The previous owner randomly painted primer all over the truck. No rhyme or reason. Just primer because? I have no idea. I have gotten some of it off with cutting compound and a d/a. But it’s taking forever and leaving some. Any ideas?

 

[fast 99]

There are all sorts of compound grits available. Best thing to do is, if possible, drive it to a automotive paint store. They will be able to determine how aggressive a compound is needed. Depending on what type of primer and how long ago it was applied, it might be rather difficult to remove the primer without damaging the finish underneath.

 

[Grandpa Hilljack]

Dang I was hoping to save the paint underneath. I’m using Maguires cutting compound. Do you know if anything I can spray or wipe on that will take off the primer and leave the paint?
Sad part is it’s in decent shape. Not perfect by any means. But better than the primer special.
From what I can tell this would of been how it looked stock. Wrong year but right colors.

 

[richard A lindner]

Try lacquer thinner. Hopefully used a cheap single stage primer.

 

[squarelyfe]

Actually I'd sand it all down and epoxy prime for body/paint. It's going to take you a long time trying to use chemicals to get out a bunch of primer that may or may not even all come off. However you may try block sanding/wet sanding with 600 grit a test spot (don't go lower than 400 grit to test). If it comes off and meets the surface color I'd move to 800/1200/3000 grit the whole panel or go 600/800/ 1000 and compound if there is enough paint under there. If that doesn't work I would just start sanding it all down section at a time panel for panel. Get a gallon of Speedokote T Rex 2k dtm epoxy primer, it's about $120 on eBay. Use the recommended tip size in the paint gun. It block sands very easy and can be used as a sealer as well.

 

[DanMcG]

Try lacquer thinner. Hopefully used a cheap single stage primer.

Yeah, I bet it was a spray can primer so a good lacquer thinner or maybe acetone might take it off without touching the original paint.

 

[Grandpa Hilljack]

Thanks all. I’ll give that a try and see how it works.