One of the biggest factors in the expense of painting anything is getting
to a surface that is ready to hold your new paint.  Any tiny bit of old
paint that hasn't been properly worked over, that is a potential spot where
your NEW paint will come loose, wrecking the whole job and making it time
to 'start over'...If the paint lifts in one small spot, you can count on
other spots being iffy, too.

  Taking off the old paint with any chemical is likely to leave a residue
that will compromise the new paint.  Sanding seems the only way to assure a
good bond...I would much rather have a vehicle to paint that has old thin
dull rust or whatever than one that some PO rattle-canned or
Plasti-coated....
  I don't think there is any 'short-cut'...One simply has to be really
meticulous about preparing for new paint....if you aren't, it will lift,
peel, or whatever....then you can do it again or just leave it...

On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 7:49 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:

> While we are on the topic of paint, it appears that someone once painted my
> van with a water based paint, a close match (aside from being duller) to
> the original paint.  When I wash the van, I get this white residue coming
> off.
>
> The dull look is ok, but I'm a bit worried about doing any painting over it
> so wonder what would be the best way to remove it - warm water and soap
> works slowly.  The shiny area of original paint showing around the gas tank
> cap indicates a gasoline soaked rag would be quicker.
>