Painting grille shell advice

[Narco]

Ive already got my grille shell painted black but after a couple years it's beat all to hell. Originally it was painted in a body shop. I want to redo it myself with some duplicolor.

My question is can I prime over what's there and paint or should I remove all the original paint? If I need to remove the paint how do I do that? Wont sanding scratch the plastic and the scratches would be visible through the new layer of paint?

I plan on doing a few coats of black and a few coats of clear on top. Thoughts?

 

[chauncey0337]

If it's beat to hell, I'd sand first to even it out. Then go to higher grit to smooth out the first sanding. If you go fine enough you won't be able to see the sanding.Scratching the plastic will actually help the paint adhere and you don't have to get all the old paint off, just enough to smooth out the paint chipping/flaking. It also helps to do some wet sanding between coats(1200+ grit, I think). Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, I do not claim to be a pro, lol.

 

[Narco]

its not beat that bad...just a few big chips here and there

 

[srt6.7]

if you dont lightly sand the area where the chips are when you go to paint over it, you will see where the chip was still...

 

[Narco]

should i sand down the rest of the painted part as well? wet or dry sand? what grit?

 

[fireman297]

If chipping isn't to bad start with the lower number high grit like 600 or so. Then work done to a 1200 low grit and wet sanding is best. Then clean up areas and start painting. Remember you don't have to completely cover the area with first coat. Just multiple coats and build it up to cover. Then I did a wet sand with highest number sand paper I could find and then cleared mine.

 

[chauncey0337]

should i sand down the rest of the painted part as well? wet or dry sand? what grit?

Yes, it's a good idea to sand everything to prevent peeling. Sanding will give it some "tooth", something for the new paint to stick to. And then do like Jeff said.

 

[Narco]

thanks