Hey guys
I’m about to make a final decision to repaint my whole van and wanted to pick the brain of the paint experts/ experienced here.
Baseline:
I bought the van with a huge dent on the driver side.
Now, as I’m getting my wheel wells increased, the shop will also remove it. In order to do so he said he’s taking down the paint to bare metal, fixes it and primers.
Fair enough.
I also have a few areas where I had painters tape attached and when removing it the paint came off the ecoat. Some other places it just started peeling at a small crack/ spot caused by a stone or whatever.
The body said in order to properly repaint I have to take everything down to the metal, acid primer it and start painting.
He said I have to remove the ecoat as well on all metal.
Decision to make is now:
Cheap and easy spot fix with a rattle can (sand, prime, paint) or excessively strip down one area/ part after the other, properly primer and paint. I would go for Raptor from top to bottom as it’s a fairly easy DIY job compared to a regular paint and it’s super robust.
Excessive means I would go in different steps: take off doors and panels, do those. Work the roof and finish it. Work one side, then the other. Rain gutter seal renewal, regular paint on interior a-b-c-x columns and so on.
My questions:
1. Is it true that I have to take the ecoat off?
2. Would you just go to the bare metal in affected spots + surrounding areas and go from there or really do the full body?
3. Primer. 2 component epoxy or self etching acid primer?
4. I guess I shouldn’t use chemical stripper on the fiberglass hood right?
I’m aware that a full body paint will cost days of work, but while I’m afraid and I know it will be a PITA it would also be super cool and satisfying to do it [emoji23]
Looking forward to read your thoughts on what I have to do in case of an excessive reincarnation :-)