Cascade Crew

blue89 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:43 am Post subject: Paint Removal

With all the new paintjobs being done, I figured I'd ask. What is the best way to remove paint? I'm prepared to spend countless hours sanding everything with a palm sander like I did last time, but I don't want to if there is something more efficient.

I dont have compressed air, only electric. I've tried chemicals, but they always seem to be more of a mess than anything. Thanks!

TecherB · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject:

brake fluid will take any paint off Very Happy

.....

I do believe their are other chemicals that you can use dont know any off the top of my head though. Sand blasting (media blasting) take it off but on a car with glass on it you can damage the glass.

blue89 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:48 pm Post subject:

I thought about that too. Media blasting would take the better part of an afternoon, but how do you mask and prep an entire car for it? That might be a good option for doing the hood, fender, nose, gfx, and tail. I might get stuck sanding the rear quarters by hand.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject:

i used a DA sander with 220 grit sanding discs for a few hours just to knock it down at first. then i spent days with a sanding block by hand. but i had plenty of bondo work to do Razz

Chemicals are a big mess/ can be more trouble then they are worth. they don't get all the baked on paint and leaves you sanding the rest of the spots. I used them on my old triumph when i restored it a few years ago and decided to just sand when i redid the camaro this summer. But when i did use it i used some stuff called "Aircraft Stripper" BE CAREFUL WITH IT! I have a scar on my arm where i got some on me and it ate the skin right off in a matter of minutes! Use gloves!

Remember, you don't have to bring it down to bare metal. just knock down the top layers till you get a fresh smooth surface that paint can stick to. unless the paint is chipping or cracking. my roof was like that so i had to bring it down to metal.

As far as the plastic bumper pieces, PITA!!! I ended up sanding them down to the plastic to get rid of the spiderweb cracks. if you have them im sorry! you have to sand those areas down to the plastic to get rid if them. i didn't at first and they ended up coming through and cracking my primer.

Be sure not to bend or flex the plastics once they've been painted or you will be very sorry. thats why i painted mine on the car. i just didn't have them bolted up tight.

thats my bits of advice, besides that just be patient. its not worth it to rush things or cut corners, you'll regret it in a few months. if you have any other questions let me know, i'd love to help

~JAKE

blue89 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject:

You'd love to help? Well come grab a sander then! Lol! J/k.

Did the DA knock it down to the primer relatively fast? You said a few hours. I don't think I have to repaint the entire car if I can get it down to the primer.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

well i meant advise Embarassed

but as for the Dual Action sander, the problem with only doing parts of the car with the sander is it takes it down relatively quickly and it leaves a height difference between where you have used the sander and where you haven't. but if you did whole chunks this wouldn't be as big a problem, ie: whole door, hood, or if you choose to do the rear quarter panel REMEMBER TO FEATHER! use a long block sander (longer the better 10in is great!) over the seam where you used the sander and where you haven't. this will alleviate the problem of paint thickness.

Also, use a finer grit sanding disc, 220 is what i recommend and avoid using lots of pressure, allow the sander to do the work, another important thing, don't allow the sanding wheel to spin up, this will tear a hole down to bare metal and create a great source of frustration.

~JAKE

chevymad · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:59 am Post subject:

Everything I have tried is slow. I've done the da method, chemicals, blasting etc. Blasting is slow unless you have a large compressor and blaster. Chemicals work but really are a pain. If you don't need to take it to metal use the da. If you do want to go to metal i've been using a 3M paint removal wheel. It's fairly slow but faster then all the other methods. It just fits in a drill. It also comes in different sizes. I bought 2 thinking it wouldnt last long.. but they do last quite awhile. On my truck cab I tried using a big grinder with 36grit sanding disc... all it did was melt hte paint and ruin the disc. So then I tried the 3m thing and it buffed the paint right off.

If you're anywhere close to a profesional media blaster.. one who knows how to do car bodies without ruining them, it's probably worth the money they'd charge to just have it done.

90droptoproc · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:09 pm Post subject:

and if you get them to use soda, you can leave the glass in