The clear coat on your vehicle is in place to protect and enhance the paint that is on the surface. The clear coat gives the paint a barrier between it and anything that comes into contact with the car. If something does contact the car the clear coat may be scratched or marred but the paint will not be.
A clear coat helps stop scratches that can reach the metal of the car so it helps prevent rust and oxidation. A clear coat gives your car that shiny finish that makes it look so beautiful.
If your clear coat is damaged, but the paint beneath it is still intact, there is a good chance that you will want to try to remove the damaged material without damaging the paint beneath it.
Equipment List
This is a list of the things you will possibly need when you start to remove a clear coat from your vehicle.
- Clearcoat removal spray
- Electric polisher
- Buffing pads
- Finishing polish
- Spray detailer
- Wax
- Clean cloths
- Sandpaper in a variety of grits such as 400, 800, 1000, and 1,200.
- Electric sander
- Protective eyewear like clear goggles
- Water hose
- Bucket for water
- Patience
Can You Remove the Clear Coat Without Sanding?
There are products designed to help remove clear coatings. Many of these products advertise that they will effectively remove the clear coat without any sanding. While there may be some products that are effective in this procedure, the majority of auto detailing professionals say that to effectively remove the clear coat from your car you are going to need a little sandpaper.
You will need 400 grit, 800 grit, 1000 grit, and 1,200 grit sandpaper to smooth away the clear coat and make the surface of the car completely smooth and ready to recoat.
The sanding process will involve wet sand and dry sand to do the job as a professional would.
Top Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Clear Coat from Your Car
Some mistakes will wreak havoc on your auto refinishing project.
1. Improper preparation
The preparation you do, before you begin to do any type of automotive refinishing, will determine how good the final results look. Nobody likes to strip, sand, Bondo, and prime, but if you skip steps and try to rush the preparation process then your final result will not be as good as you want it to be.
2. Using the Wrong Products
The majority of people have advice on what products you should use on your vehicle when you are trying to remove clear coats and refinish them. The problem is that the majority of people do not know what they are talking about and the products they recommend could very well do more damage than good to your car’s exterior.
When you are going to embark on a DIY project like removing a clear coat purchase automotive stripping agents that are recommended for clear coat removal. If you have any doubt about what to use go to a professional auto parts and refinishing product supplier and ask for advice.
3. Follow The Instructions
There are a lot of people who buy the right products to remove their clear coat and then when they get home, they do not follow the instructions carefully and the results are less than attractive. When you get your product purchased take the time to read the instructions from the manufacturer carefully. There may be supporting products you have to use in conjunction with the one you purchased. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and leave the product in place for the recommended amount of time.
4. Hurrying will not Help you
If you have very little time to work on the vehicle because you have somewhere to go, or the vehicle has to be driven in just a few hours, then wait until you have more time before you start trying to do something like remove the clear coat. Remember that what you do in haste you will regret in leisure. That means if you hurry the results are likely to suck.
In Easy 10 Steps, How Do You Remove Clear Coat Without Damaging Paint?
When you notice the damage to your clear coat you need to take the time to research how to remove it without damaging your paint. Seek professional advice and guidance before you even buy the products to do the work with.
Step 1
After you have done your research purchase approved products that can be used for this job.
Step 2
Gather the equipment that you need so you do not have to stop while you are working to go find the items you need for the next step.
Step 3
Make sure the area where you will be working is as free of dust and contaminants as possible. Go ahead and sweep that garage. To help in the dust removal from concrete sprinkle a small amount of water on the surface of the floor before you begin to sweep. This will help keep the dust from flying up into the air and then settling right back on the surface.
Try to block as much wind as possible from the work area to stop particulates and contaminants from being blown onto the surface.
Make sure the area is protected from possible rain or exposure to morning dew.
Make sure that you are not working in direct sunlight because the heat from the sun can cause some products to dry quicker than you expect them to.
Step 4
When removing the clear coat, you are going to need to do some wet sanding and some dry sanding so you need to put some sandpaper in water to soak while you get the surface of the vehicle ready.
Start with the most aggressive, the 400 grit. Be sure to soak a piece of each grit because you are going to systematically work from the most aggressive to the finest paper you have.
You can soak the next sheet after you remove the first sheet so you do not over soak your paper.
Step 5
Wash the vehicle to remove all dirt and grime before you start. Once you have washed it completely you need to make sure it is totally dry before you begin.
After washing inspect the vehicle carefully because other damages may be more obvious now that all of the road dust and grime is removed.
Step 6
Wet sand the area using the sandpaper you have soaked.
Take your time and do this with a light touch if you plan to strip away the clear coat and not damage the paint.
To determine when the sanding is complete run your hand over the area. If it feels rough or bumpy you have some more work to do. If it feels smooth then you can clean away the dust and particulates and visibly inspect to make certain you are through.
Step 7
Wash the area again to remove anything.
Step 8
You are now ready to use dry sandpaper to further remove the clear coat. 600 or 800 grit should be sufficient, to begin with.
Remember that slow and steady wins the race. Take your time, use a light touch, and be sure that you have those protective goggles on. The dust from this part of the job can wreak havoc if it gets in your eyes.
Step 9
Wipe away any dust left by the dry sanding.
Step 10
Polish the areas that you just sanded. Use a low speed on your electric buffer/polisher and take your time. You need time to create a flawless finish.
You will are doing this by hand then rub vigorously when you are removing the wax.
Consider using a detailing spray to cover the polished area. You no longer have a clear coat here so you want to add as much protection as possible. You might also be interested in How to Remove Spray Paint From Glass?
FAQ’s
Can You Remove a Clear Coat Without Removing Paint?
There is a possibility that you can remove a damaged clear coat or a section of a damaged clear coat without harming the paint it is protecting. You will need plenty of time, patience, and the gentlest ingredients possible to do this.
Does Acetone Remove a clear coat?
Acetone does have the ability to soften a clear coat and make it possible to remove without doing too much damage to the paint beneath the clear coat. Get ready for some hard work because this is a slow and tedious process.
Will Paint Thinner Take Off Clear Coat?
Paint thinner will effectively remove the clear coat from your car. Paint thinner will also effectively remove the paint from the car so do not use this substance unless you want to completely repaint the vehicle afterward.
