As the title states I'm going to be repainting my tailgate from red to white. Given the drastic change in color would it be best to strip all the red paint off first or to just scuff the current paint well enough for the new paint to adhere?

I'm afraid that if I strip all the paint with either a sander or wire wheel I'll end up gouging the steel and that may show up in the new paint...or am I wrong?

Any thoughts or tips?

 

Sanding will always yield a better outcome. Just give the clear a good buff. Not so hard as to dig groves into the existing paint but enough to give a "matte" finish to the clear. With the application of primer, wet sanding, painting, clear coat and touch up sanding you should have an outstanding result. Hope this helps.

 

Yes it does help, thanks for the response!

 

If you clean it up really good and put enough of the new paint on it should cover it up and loo really nice