How to Remove Primer From Auto Paint

Removing any substance from your car's paint, including primer, is a delicate task. A car's paint can be easily damaged by certain chemicals or cleaners during removal, costing hundreds of dollars in professional paint repairs. Still it is possible to remove primer from auto paint safely and without damage.

Things You'll Need:

• Car wash
• Sponge
• Water hose
• Clay bar system including clay bar and lubricant (found at any auto parts store)
• Soft cotton towels
• Car wax

1. Wash the car with car soap and a soft sponge

Wash the car with car soap and a soft sponge. This removes any dirt or particles that can scratch the car's surface when rubbing with a towel. Park the car in the shade and allow it to dry completely.

2. Spray the area that has primer on it with the lubricant that comes in the clay bar kit

Spray the area that has primer on it with the lubricant that comes in the clay bar kit. Keep the area lubricated while using the clay bar in Step 3.

3. Rub the clay bar back and forth to remove the primer

Rub the clay bar back and forth to remove the primer. The clay bar glides across the lubricated surface while picking up all of the primer spots. Use pressure, as applying pressure to the clay bar will not cause any damage to the car's surface.

4. Fold and stretch the clay bar frequently to expose clean areas

Fold and stretch the clay bar frequently to expose clean areas.

5. Inspect the car closely to ensure that you have rubbed off all of the primer

Inspect the car closely to ensure that you have rubbed off all of the primer. Spray another coat of lubricant over the entire area and wipe it away with a dry cloth.

6. Apply car wax to the area with a damp cloth using small circular motions

Apply car wax to the area with a damp cloth using small circular motions. Allow the wax to dry and then rub it away with a soft cloth.

Tips and Warnings

Always park the car in the shade with applying any type of cleaner or product to the surface. Sunshine heats the car's clear coat and can allow it to be damaged easily.

Work in small areas of about a foot, finish and then move to another area.

Do not use a dirty area of the clay bar against the car's surface. The dirt can cause tiny scratches in the clear coat of the car's paint, eventually leading to rust.

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Helpful comments on this video:

• Previous owner spray painted the interior of my 1980 k20 aswell as the outside. I plan to repaint the outside anyways but the inside I want to keep as original as I can. This helped me out a lot I’ve tried sandpaper and brake clean but it never worked well. Just removed the original paint but steel wool works amazingly. Gonna try and get the spray paint off my doors tonight and maybe off my dash tomorrow and paint door panels and dash pad.
• Matt, those cleaners and paint removers have some pretty tonic chemicals in them that will attack your skin, especially if you any cuts or cracks on your hands. Please, for everyone's sake use rubber cloves when using them.