Any way to recover the original layer of body paint?

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

Is there a way to remove a layer of repaint to try to recover the original factory layer of paint without damaging the original paint?

The car still has the original upholstery. It was painted black some time in the past. If possible, I'd like to bring the body back to it's original layer of green paint. The firewall is still a faded green color.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Neil

[jw hash]

if they did not sand the original paint before painting try a high pressure wash,

[Tom Wesenberg]

A new guy just joined our club last fall and he's doing that exact thing by careful sanding. He had most of it done when he drove it to the meeting and he is doing a fantastic job. I wish I had taken a picture of it. I'd like to do the same thing with my 28 Phaeton, which was painted black over the original gun metal blue.

[dumb person]

If those 2 ideas fail then one of those polishing devises might be able to polish the top paint away, i've never had much success myself as i lack the patience but i figure it would be less aggressive than sanding.

(Does anyone else get links forming on the web page on fordbarn? i am wondering if i have malware as this thread has links to paint for sale on amazon, but it might be a purpose built revenue device server side)

[Steve Plucker]

My February 1929 Tudor was also repainted BUT was painted the same color as original...That might be a harder fix?

Pluck

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I tried removing black paint over an original color, unfortunately they had sanded the original paint and had broken through to the primer in spots so it wasn't feasible.

[HoarseWhisperer]

I faced the same issue when I acquired the 31 Roadster. Original, except painted yellow over the original color. The previous owner suggested I take a razor blade to scrape of the yellow. I actually tried for about an hour before I realized that this is going to happen in my lifetime. I tried other methods of removing the yellow, but realized a overcoat of Kewanee Green was underneath and on top of the original Brewster Green. Over-spray was visible on the original leather interior. Eventually it was all stripped and repainted. I hated to remove that original color.

[Joop]

Use Oven Cleaner

Spray on a 12" x 12" area and let sit for about 15 minutes then remove and clean with mineral spirits after that I used a clay bar.

Worked great for my Coupe but took a long time to accomplish.

Ps. The cleaner attacked the later paint job but never harmed the original paint.
Works best on warm surface

[Kevin in NJ]

Depends on the paint and how well they pre-sanded the original paint.

Often it is a crappy paint job thrown over poorly prepared under surface. Play around with different solvents or paint removers and see if the top paint wants to come off easy. I know I have put paint remover on stuff and the top coat popped off quickly. If I quickly took the upper paint off and washed off any remover left behind the lower paint would be fine in a few days.

Experiment carefully and hope you get lucky.

[John Duden]

Neil post some pictures of the car, and close ups of the paint, that will help show how thick and give us an idea of what needs to be done
John

[d.j. moordigian]

I thought that some of the fellas were using "Easy-Off" oven cleaner,..with
excellent results..

Do a "search".......

[FL&WVMIKE]

I spent a whole summer, not full time, wet sanding a black coat of paint off of the dark blue original paint on a pair of 1934 front fenders. It is difficult. sometimes it is hard to tell which is which. I can't imagine doing a complete car !
On the other hand, I stripped a spray can layer of paint from a Harley Davidson with carburetor cleaner. It came off easily. I discovered that it would work, by accident. I was cleaning the carburetor, when I discovered that I was also melting off the paint.
MIKE (mikeburch)

[JTW]

This tip may apply in some situations. I had to remove some hand painted lettering (probably One Shot) on the side of truck. An old body and fender man told me to spray Easy Off oven cleaner - in the yellow can, on it, let it set and wash it off. It worked very well

[C26Pinelake]

Be careful with the pressure washer as it may well go right down to metal. I did one 10 years ago and used very fine sand paper and it worked well but it is a lot of work. Wayne

[MikeK]

Keep in mind they most likely painted over it because the original paint was in a very sad state, likely worn through and rusted in many places. If that is what you wish to see you won't be disappointed. If you hope to find that miracle, intact 'survivor' original paint on every panel you might do better buying a lottery ticket. In any case, I hope you're a winner.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Keep in mind they most likely painted over it because the original paint was in a very sad state, likely worn through and rusted in many places. If that is what you wish to see you won't be disappointed. If you hope to find that miracle, intact 'survivor' original paint on every panel you might do better buying a lottery ticket. In any case, I hope you're a winner.

Very true indeed. Usually it was painted because it needed it ! In my case it was painted to be in a television series and I knew the original paint was very good. Wayne

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Keep in mind they most likely painted over it because the original paint was in a very sad state, likely worn through and rusted in many places. If that is what you wish to see you won't be disappointed. If you hope to find that miracle, intact 'survivor' original paint on every panel you might do better buying a lottery ticket. In any case, I hope you're a winner.

Yep, and that's one reason I haven't attacked mine yet. When I get time I may try the dash first.

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

Thank you everyone for your comments.
I don't have the car home yet, but when I do, I will post some pictures.
Neil