Do I have to strip off primer from new parts

[AlxxNova]

I have received some motorcycle fenders to paint that came primered from the manufacturer. I was wondering if anyone has ever gotten one of these and just primered or painted over this primer. I've been removing it but if I didn't have to it would save a little time.

Oh Yeah ... I'm using HOK if it matters.

 

[rex]

You're safe in removing it.Alot of scooter steel comes with a cheap primer on them just for protection,but I can't say what factory Harley steel is like.Gotten any slimed down with oil yet?Man what a pain getting all that off.Now automotive steel comes with a good primer that you can just sand and seal but some of the aftermarket panels use junk also.

 

[AlxxNova]

Every set of tanks and front fenders has been covered in oil. It's been a real pain in the butt to clean, especially inside the tanks. I've been trying out all kinds of different things to clean them but still haven't settled on anything in particular yet. I’m going to try out using lacquer thinner on the next set.

 

[kustom paint workz]

Alxx I think that the factory harley stuff comes with a good primer on it you can probably just seal it. If there's any doubt though you would be safer to just take it off. As for the oil slimed stuff I've tried quite a few methods and lacquer thinner worked pretty well I sprayed it on the hard to get at spots. Another method that worked great was I got a five gallon pail of the automotive parts washer stuff and dunked the fenders in it then wiped down with lacq thinner. This i think worked the best.

 

[rex]

I do the thinner thing too.After I wipe it down the best I can I hang them up and fill my gun with thinner and hose it from top to bottom to flush it all out (not very EPA acceptable though so don't let them see you do it).Then I wipe it down a few times with prepsol.Don't stop at the thinner though because it leaves a film behind.It hasn't caused me any problems but it always could and Murphy's Law loves this stuff.I don't do the inside of the tanks because I don't play with sealing them,that has to be done before I get it.I'd think a qt of thinner sloshed around and dumped a few times would be fine before the sealer prep.If they aren't getting sealed I wouldn't get carried away since the gas will disolve what's left and burn it off in combustion.

 

[TAZ]

I basically do the same thing. Wipe them down as best as possible with thinner, then load the gun up with wax and grease remover, a spray it down real good. This is real good for the insides of the fenders. No way could you wipe every area. Also on the outside, this works great around the rivets

For the inside of the tank, I just use thinner, swash it around, then dump it out. Then I lightly use a blower and blow it out best as possible. Then I set it out in the sun until it dries. Usually a 1/2 day. Then I seal it.

 

[AlxxNova]

Thanks Guys. This is only the 4th set I'm doing and it's good to know that I'm on the right track cleaning them.

What brand of wax and grease remover have you found to work best ?