Terminology Q:

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

I'm not too sure the terminology matters a whole lot.
What does matter is that if you're going to get your car painted that you're 
clear on what the bodyshop is going to do.

I've painted too many cars where the surface of the paint was just scuffed 
up enough to get another layer to stick, and some where another layer was 
put down without apparently any prep at all!!! I remember one VW bug engine 
lid with 10 different colors of paint! Literally!
Basically, the combined layers of paint can only be so thick before you're 
going to have cracking problems. You can't just keep applying another top 
coat.
My approach is that if the paint is OEM, then I sand it down to the original 
primer and, of course, down to bare metal in any areas where there was a 
chip and surface rust.
If the car, or particular panel, has been repainted i.e.no factory primer, 
then it's down to bare metal. The theory is that I don't know if the 
previous surface prep was done correctly and the assumption is it will not 
adhere to the surface as well as it should (just because I've seen so many 
crap paint jobs!)
So, I guess what I'm saying is it's all about surface prep and the total 
thickness of the paint. Paint will stick to paint if it's sanded a little 
bit. But getting it to stick to metal takes a little more effort than just 
sanding. It needs to be etched with acid and it needs to be free of any 
rust, dirt, grease.
Dan

From: "Camron D. Crouse" <camron@worldaccessnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 06, 2005 4:09 AM>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>
>>>>Terminology quiz:
>>>>
>>>>An automotive "respray" is
>>>>
>>>>A) A new coat of paint of the same color, applied to a lightly sanded,
>>>>aged prior coat.
>>>>
>>>>B) A new coat of paint of the previous color, applied to a freshly
>>>>primered prior coat.
>>>>
>>>>C) A second attempt to rid your automobile of termite infestation via
>>>>creative use of an "indoor fogger"
>>>>
>>>>D) None of the above
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for all your input.  Just wanted to get it straight.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>- Camron from Vancouver, WA USA
>>>>   '86.5 Black 16V 2.0L Scirocco
>>>>
>>
>>> Sadly, there is no de facto application of this term.  Resprays are 
>>> largely
>>> ad hoc.  That said, I interpret the word (or action) to be the typical:
>>> light sanding, if any, combined with as little trim removal as possible 
>>> and
>>> masking tape around the remaining bits.
>>>
>>> I think we should relegate the words use to item C and come up with new
>>> terms and definitions.  Any ideas?
>>>
>
>
>
> Brian Haygood wrote:
>
> > I don't like definition B because I don't think you are going to get
> > much of a result without at least some sanding.  So I'll go with A.
> > Of course I would call what I'm doing on my Passat a respray, and I'm
> > sanding through clear and color and down to primer.  I'll prime and
> > work up to clear, and I've removed every relevant piece of trim.  I
> > guess its synonymous with repainting the car in my book just because
> > that's the way I think it should be done. ...but I'm picky.
> >
> > BH
>
>
> Yes, indeed I would agree that is the right way for optimum results to get 
> a car repainted.  Wasn't sure if going through all the rights steps to 
> completely repaint was the same as a "respray", which to me implies doing 
> as little as possible to get a car coated with new paint.
>
> Basically, I was confused as to whether a respray is when a car is 
> repainted with:
>
> no sanding whatsoever, just color (and clear if applicable) (is this ever 
> really performed?);
>
> just enough sanding to get through any clearcoat, plus color (and clear if 
> applicable);
>
> sanding through to original primer, plus color (and clear if applicable);
>
> no sanding whatsoever, plus primer and color (and clear if applicable);
>
> just enough sanding to get through any clearcoat, plus primer and color 
> (and clear if applicable);
>
> or
>
> sanding through to original primer, plus fresh primer, plus color (and 
> clear if applicable).
>
> I supposed I should have asked for a proper definition for more concise 
> results instead of making everyone choose from my multiple choices ;) But 
> honestly I figured there would be sanding involved.
>
> Thanks for everyone's input.
>
>
> - Camron from Vancouver, WA USA
>    '86.5 Black 16V 2.0L Scirocco