Need to remove factory paint to bare metal?

[wilkrod]

Hi all,
Just looking for opinions.
When doing a total restoration, where factory original paint is rough, and needs respray, is it necessary to take it down to bare metal?
I am not looking for a concurs finish, but 90 of 100 is the goal.
Thanks
Jeff

[962porsche]

so many people think it's better to strip a car down to the metal to refinish it . this in 99 % of the cases is not true at all . most of the times it's the worse thing to do .
you only need to strip a car if the finish is checking /cracking , pealing , chalking or has more than 14 mills of paint on it . that would be repainted 2 or 3 times or more and even then it's not always a must to go to bare metal .

[wilkrod]

Thanks Guy,
I always thought the strip to bare metal was urban legend for getting the best results.
My plan is to prep the existing paint as needed, shoot coat of sealer, base, and clear.