What must be removed prior to refinishing a vehicle?

Before refinishing a vehicle, all factory and dealer-applied lettering must be removed to ensure a smooth and even surface for the paint. This step is crucial as any lettering or graphics left on the surface can prevent the new paint from properly adhering, potentially leading to issues like peeling or bubbling later on. Moreover, when refinishing, the goal is to achieve a uniform appearance, and any raised elements such as letters would disrupt that aesthetic.

Removing old lettering also helps in preventing color mismatch and ensures that the paint job will not reveal remnants of the previous designs, which could be visible through the new layer of paint. Additionally, this procedure allows for a thorough surface preparation, as refinishing usually involves sanding and smoothing the area, which would be hampered by any lettering or adhesive materials.

In other contexts, while items like windshield wipers or engine components might need to be addressed during certain repairs, they do not directly impact the refinishing process in the same way that lettering does. Removing old battery casings is usually associated with safety and maintenance, rather than refinishing work specifically.