Auto body repair & detailing: clearcoat degradation, chevy truck, transition area

Question
QUESTION: I have a classic case of clearcoat flaking off of the hood of my 97 chevy truck. I love this truck and want to bring her back to life. Do I have to strip to the metal and start over or can I wet sand and just shoot a new clear coat? The paint is still there...some oxidation.
Brian

ANSWER: Hi Brian,

You won't have to strip it to metal but you will need to feather out the existing finish and you should re-coat with a base coat and re-clear. If you just re-clear you will see a difference it the hood and the rest of the vehicle. Good luck with it.

Gary


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanx. What's the best way to clear the oxidation? Sand and laquer thinner?

Answer
You'll need to wet sand it with 1000 grit sand paper. Soak your wet-or-dry paper for 20 minutes prior to beginning. Wrap the sand-paper around a foam block and sand the whole panel that needs re-painting but especially the edges where the clear has peeled off. Ideally you want to be able to run your hand over the transition area where the clear and the color meet up and it should feel totally smooth. If you feel any transition from color to clear you will be able to see it after the paint is applied. After this step is finished you will need to spray your base-coat color. After approx. 1 hour come back and spray 3 coats of clear allowing 25 minutes of dry time between each coat.