(yet another) painting question

[Crackshot]

In Lou's tutorial, he mentions that if you want to take the tank down to the metal, its a PITA. Is there another way to do it? I always just kinda assumed before priming and reapainting you wanted to have a brand new shiny metal surface.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton
Crack

[BraadaJim]

The best primer you will ever find is the paint that is already there. No sense is stripping it unless you are just a glutton for punishment. Sand off the clear coat and get down into the color good, that's all the farther you need to go.

[2K5GSX600F]

Unless you have rust or another compelling reason never go all the way to bare metal.

[ThAzKat]

to add to Jim's comment, You really only need to get past the clearcoat.

[SweetLou]

I have to go to the metal to fix that damn dent

I hate dents.

[chinto]

i would only go down the metal in the area of the dent. make your repairs prime it and wet sand it with the rest of the tank. A good practice to identify high/low spots is to prime it with 1 color (grey) and lightly mist prime it with a secondary color (red) that way when you wet sand it, the high spots wil be easily spotted. Caution dont spray a heavy coat of your secondary primer, it is not needed and will only increase your sanding time. I would use a 1000 grit or higher for your final wet sand.