How to Get Old Paint off a Car

admin • June 10, 2018

When applying a new coat of paint on a car, it is important to make sure that all of the old paint is stripped off of the vehicle before you start. If you don’t do this, then a number of problems may occur, such as having odd textures on your vehicle, increased erosion over time, and discoloration on your new coat of paint. In order to strip an old coat of paint off of a vehicle, check out the most popular method below that can help you accomplish this…

Media Blasting

Media and sandblasting is an effective method of removing paints and polishes off of pretty much any metal surface. It is accomplished by using an abrasive material and an air compressor, and then blasting the paint away with friction and pressure. Popular materials for this include silica sand, baking soda, glass, and even walnuts, among other things.

Step 1: Preparation

To start media blasting, the first thing that you need to do is cover up all of surface area on your vehicle that you aren’t going to be stripping paint off of. This means literally every part of your vehicle’s exterior without paint, including windows, tires, and trim. After this, take your media blaster and connect it to your air compressor. Allow the compressor to completely fill with air before you start. While you are waiting for that to happen, put whatever media you are using into the hopper of the blaster.

Step 2: Blasting

Once you are ready to start blasting, make sure that you have a good grip on the blaster and then point it towards whichever panel you want to strip first. When blasting, it is important to give yourself a couple feet of separation, and to not hold on any particular spot for too long, as the friction may cause the metal to warp. Continue stripping the paint, panel-by-panel, until each panel is completely devoid of any paint. Be prepared to spend several hours doing this.

Step 3: Wrapping Up

After you are doing stripping the paint, take the blaster off of the compressor and then use the compressed air to blow away all of the remaining media that is left on the vehicle. After that, all you need to do is clean up your workspace and you’re ready to apply a new coat of paint!

Share This Post!

By Admin October 28, 2025
Alternatives to sandblasting pros and cons
By Admin October 22, 2025
well can you? It Depends
By Admin October 21, 2025
In Need of Professional Metal
By Admin October 17, 2025
Need Professional powder coating in utah but dont have the time too dop off and pick up?
Brown metal poles of varying lengths lying on asphalt in front of a corrugated metal building.
By Admin October 14, 2025
Looking for Sand blasting services in Ogden?
SUV driving on a snowy road through a forest. Snow falling.
By Admin October 9, 2025
Powder coating in Ogden Utah
A person welds inside a brightly lit paint booth. Dark workshop; metal frame on wheels.
By Admin October 7, 2025
Powder coating in Ogden Utah
White sports car speeding on a road with blurred background.
By Admin September 18, 2025
Why is it important to have a professional powder coating on you're wheels ?
Fire hose connection on a metal pipe; silver with red cap, against a blurred background.
By Admin September 16, 2025
How can glass bead blasting help you, what is it?
By Admin September 4, 2025
The Best Powder Coating Companies in Utah