Real Paint over spray paint?

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 10, 2011 | 12:49 PM

Rideordie13

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

From: Boston, ma

Real Paint over spray paint?

I want to prep my tank and fenders for paint but the kid before me used spray paint. Should I take it down to bare metal and start from scratch or should I sand till smooth and start from there?

Apr 10, 2011 | 12:54 PM

lo-rider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

Likes: 9

From: Marina del Rey

You probably mean rattle-can paint. Take it to bare metal.

Apr 10, 2011 | 12:55 PM

deadman77

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 5,577

Likes: 138

From: South of Dallas Area, Texas

Strip it. Take the extra time. Its not worth the hassle when it starts to lift the good stuff.

Apr 10, 2011 | 01:15 PM

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,106

Likes: 51,387

From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Defiantly strip it , 99% of the time real paint will cause rattle can to wrinkle right up

Apr 10, 2011 | 02:42 PM

medicsn

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 130

Likes: 0

No brainer....don't paint over that....strip it down....

Apr 10, 2011 | 07:47 PM

BAGGERJ

Banned

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

From: SOUTH

I would strip it if you can, but you dont have too. I painted a car with actual paint over spray paint. No issues whatsoever. Just need to sand the rattle can very well. Smoother the better. Make sure there is no rough parts. Some parts may go to bare metal but you dont have to take it to bare metal.

Sanding is the most important part. If you sand it well and smooth It will bite fine.

Apr 10, 2011 | 10:52 PM

Rideordie13

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

From: Boston, ma

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it all. I think I might go down to bare metal with aircraft stripper, sand then apply primer. I need to talk to an autobody shop to see the options of paint. Take care

Trending Topics

The Sportster is coming back, air cooled.

254

10.1k
Handlebar Grip Temperature unbearable on a 2026 Street Glide Limited

41

1.4k
New place for useless information

50

1.7k
1991 Electra Glide Evo smoking at idle

27

554
Oilcap-dipstick is stuck

23

545

Apr 10, 2011 | 11:18 PM

TennesseeMustangPerf

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 4,828

Likes: 8

Strip it, but not to the bare metal unless the rattlecan is bare metal as well. Likely, the kid just scuffed it up and is riding over the factory paint. Save yourself a lot of prep, time, money, and prevent metal contamination by taking it down to the factory finish. Only pull it down to the bare metal if you have to.

But definitely take the tink-tink can off. As said before, 99% of paint is prep.
Reference- I am an ASE (body) Master Certified technician that customizes in paints and custom paints... it's what I do.