[Slick71ss]

I'm getting ready to paint my steering column while still inside the car. I'm just going to be using rattle cans. The only reason for painting is some scratches around the ignition. What would happen if I just lightly sanded and painted without using a primer first? Most of the metal will still have the old paint on it besides the small scratches. If this will be a problem what do I have to do? Would I have to remove all the old paint and prime bare metal? Can I prime over the old paint as long as I sand it?

Going out to start taping everything off inside the car, will check back soon.

Is acrylic enamel ok to use? I previously painted my piller arms with it and would like to use the same so it matches.

 

[BERGERZ28]

The old paint will be fine for a starting foundation. If you sand through they make etch primers by SEM, they come in grey and black we use them in the shop for small sand throughs.You can dry sand or wet sand up to 800 and then paint the column.And yes you can prime and paint over the column with aerosol paints most of them are lacquer based and you should not have a problem.

 

[JohnC]

Agree, if the scratches are small (not chips that will still show unless it is well sanded/feathered), i'd just use a degreaser to make sure it's clean then scuff it with 400 grit or a scotchbrite pad, and spray it. Mask it well.

 

[Slick71ss]

Well, while sanding the scratched area I went through the paint to metal in a couple small spots. I'm just going to shoot it once with some Dupli-color primer that I have and then top coat it a couple times with the Dupli-color acrylic enamel. Sound ok to you guys?

 

[LateNight72]

Sounds good. But make sure to sand the primer a little, so it will be smooth..

-Todd

 

[Slick71ss]

Thanks guys. I know this was a beginners question, but I don't know anything about painting. Got the primer on and waiting for an hour before I lightly sand and top coat.

So, what's the difference between primer and regular paint that your not supposed to use paint on bare metal? Does primer just stick to metal better? Does it prevent rust somehow?

 

[BERGERZ28]

Several answers here,epoxy primer for best corrosion protection and you can do body work right over it just scuff with anything from 100-180,primer over the epoxy or bare metal for protection,able to sand out scratches and paint sticks to primer and/or epoxies.Remember some aerosol primers are lacquer and you CANNOT put lacquer over fresh enamel it will lift unless it is baked and cured for a long period of time.So far you are doing great.