Stripping old paint from fiberglass Corvette
06-02-2014, 06:35 PM
#42
Race Director
I have a 1970 corvette that has a base coat clear coat paint job and I have no idea what's under that. I want a chemical stripper that will not attack or otherwise compromise the original fiberglass. What product by name brand would you recommend for doing the job. What would you use?
SO...momo608...I sent you a PM...because what I use is STOUT (because I do not have time to "dilly-dally" around when getting paint off)...and IF you pay attention to what you are doing...you WILL NOT HAVE a problem. If you plan on using what I use and have used for over 20+ years will require us talking on the phone so I can easily and quickly tell you what to do...because honestly...I do not want to type it out....and it is misinterpreted or misunderstood and you have a problem and then BLAME ME for your ignorance.
DUB
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Richard Daugird (03-04-2016)
06-02-2014, 07:24 PM
#43
Le Mans Master
I've stripped many a Corvette with Captain Lees and have NEVER had an issue....EVER. Captain Lee's is a "top coat" stripper". It's not rocket science.
Once you're done, wash it down with water and then give it a final sanding with a light grade paper. Sometimes it will take a few applications to get through all the previous paint jobs but it works great. DO NOT use an aircraft stripper....ever....
Once you're done, wash it down with water and then give it a final sanding with a light grade paper. Sometimes it will take a few applications to get through all the previous paint jobs but it works great. DO NOT use an aircraft stripper....ever....
Last edited by Vette Daddy; 06-02-2014 at 08:19 PM.
06-03-2014, 07:48 PM
#44
Race Director
I MUST politely disagree.
I have been using Aircraft remover for almost 30 years with NOT ONE problem...EVER!!! NOT ONE!!! And YES...I am talking about factory fiberglass an SMC panels. Also steel panels...but that is different.
Aircraft Remover strips one layer at a time....so when using it...if a person is watchful...they will not have an issue. Many of these other strippers offered are made in a weaker formula so mess-up's are less likely....thus more product is needed and time.
It is all about how to use Aircraft Remover an know what you are doing with it makes the difference. If a person can not handle that...then buy gallons of the other stuff if it makes you feel any better. Bottom line to me is that you get your Corvette the way you want it. How long it takes is irrelevant due to you are doing it instead of paying someone to do it.
The reason that they have to write and say NOT to use it on fiberglass is because someone will use it...abuse it... and then want them to fix the mess up that they caused because they used something without NOT KNOWING how to use it.
And I know many people will do things the way they want and believe what they want and swear by what they know....which is fine and dandy by me.....And I am no different....BUT...I have never used water to rinse off my stripper...it has ALWAYS been with clean lacquer thinner and then acetone. But then again...I know what I am doing and have a procedure.
Not that what I write means does not mean jack squat...but I do this for a living...and have to warranty/guarantee my work like many others here on the forum who do this for a living. We can differ in our procedures, products used and many other factors...but one things is for certain....we all hold true to what WE know works and has not failed. And knowing that TIME IS MONEY...spending more time on a project that will effect the costs to a customer when a procedure and product used can reduce that time...will no ill effects....why not use it. And this is not only referring to chemical strippers. You can cut a tree down with a chainsaw faster than with a buck saw...but someone who lost their leg in a chainsaw accident will swear that chainsaws are dangerous and should not be used.
DUB
I have been using Aircraft remover for almost 30 years with NOT ONE problem...EVER!!! NOT ONE!!! And YES...I am talking about factory fiberglass an SMC panels. Also steel panels...but that is different.
Aircraft Remover strips one layer at a time....so when using it...if a person is watchful...they will not have an issue. Many of these other strippers offered are made in a weaker formula so mess-up's are less likely....thus more product is needed and time.
It is all about how to use Aircraft Remover an know what you are doing with it makes the difference. If a person can not handle that...then buy gallons of the other stuff if it makes you feel any better. Bottom line to me is that you get your Corvette the way you want it. How long it takes is irrelevant due to you are doing it instead of paying someone to do it.
The reason that they have to write and say NOT to use it on fiberglass is because someone will use it...abuse it... and then want them to fix the mess up that they caused because they used something without NOT KNOWING how to use it.
And I know many people will do things the way they want and believe what they want and swear by what they know....which is fine and dandy by me.....And I am no different....BUT...I have never used water to rinse off my stripper...it has ALWAYS been with clean lacquer thinner and then acetone. But then again...I know what I am doing and have a procedure.
Not that what I write means does not mean jack squat...but I do this for a living...and have to warranty/guarantee my work like many others here on the forum who do this for a living. We can differ in our procedures, products used and many other factors...but one things is for certain....we all hold true to what WE know works and has not failed. And knowing that TIME IS MONEY...spending more time on a project that will effect the costs to a customer when a procedure and product used can reduce that time...will no ill effects....why not use it. And this is not only referring to chemical strippers. You can cut a tree down with a chainsaw faster than with a buck saw...but someone who lost their leg in a chainsaw accident will swear that chainsaws are dangerous and should not be used.
DUB
The following users liked this post:
Richard Daugird (03-04-2016)
06-03-2014, 09:23 PM
#46
Le Mans Master
I MUST politely disagree.
I have been using Aircraft remover for almost 30 years with NOT ONE problem...EVER!!! NOT ONE!!! And YES...I am talking about factory fiberglass an SMC panels. Also steel panels...but that is different.
Aircraft Remover strips one layer at a time....so when using it...if a person is watchful...they will not have an issue. Many of these other strippers offered are made in a weaker formula so mess-up's are less likely....thus more product is needed and time.
It is all about how to use Aircraft Remover an know what you are doing with it makes the difference. If a person can not handle that...then buy gallons of the other stuff if it makes you feel any better. Bottom line to me is that you get your Corvette the way you want it. How long it takes is irrelevant due to you are doing it instead of paying someone to do it.
The reason that they have to write and say NOT to use it on fiberglass is because someone will use it...abuse it... and then want them to fix the mess up that they caused because they used something without NOT KNOWING how to use it.
And I know many people will do things the way they want and believe what they want and swear by what they know....which is fine and dandy by me.....And I am no different....BUT...I have never used water to rinse off my stripper...it has ALWAYS been with clean lacquer thinner and then acetone. But then again...I know what I am doing and have a procedure.
Not that what I write means does not mean jack squat...but I do this for a living...and have to warranty/guarantee my work like many others here on the forum who do this for a living. We can differ in our procedures, products used and many other factors...but one things is for certain....we all hold true to what WE know works and has not failed. And knowing that TIME IS MONEY...spending more time on a project that will effect the costs to a customer when a procedure and product used can reduce that time...will no ill effects....why not use it. And this is not only referring to chemical strippers. You can cut a tree down with a chainsaw faster than with a buck saw...but someone who lost their leg in a chainsaw accident will swear that chainsaws are dangerous and should not be used.
DUB
I have been using Aircraft remover for almost 30 years with NOT ONE problem...EVER!!! NOT ONE!!! And YES...I am talking about factory fiberglass an SMC panels. Also steel panels...but that is different.
Aircraft Remover strips one layer at a time....so when using it...if a person is watchful...they will not have an issue. Many of these other strippers offered are made in a weaker formula so mess-up's are less likely....thus more product is needed and time.
It is all about how to use Aircraft Remover an know what you are doing with it makes the difference. If a person can not handle that...then buy gallons of the other stuff if it makes you feel any better. Bottom line to me is that you get your Corvette the way you want it. How long it takes is irrelevant due to you are doing it instead of paying someone to do it.
The reason that they have to write and say NOT to use it on fiberglass is because someone will use it...abuse it... and then want them to fix the mess up that they caused because they used something without NOT KNOWING how to use it.
And I know many people will do things the way they want and believe what they want and swear by what they know....which is fine and dandy by me.....And I am no different....BUT...I have never used water to rinse off my stripper...it has ALWAYS been with clean lacquer thinner and then acetone. But then again...I know what I am doing and have a procedure.
Not that what I write means does not mean jack squat...but I do this for a living...and have to warranty/guarantee my work like many others here on the forum who do this for a living. We can differ in our procedures, products used and many other factors...but one things is for certain....we all hold true to what WE know works and has not failed. And knowing that TIME IS MONEY...spending more time on a project that will effect the costs to a customer when a procedure and product used can reduce that time...will no ill effects....why not use it. And this is not only referring to chemical strippers. You can cut a tree down with a chainsaw faster than with a buck saw...but someone who lost their leg in a chainsaw accident will swear that chainsaws are dangerous and should not be used.
DUB
06-03-2014, 11:03 PM
#47
Race Director
FWIW I once had my 67 media (not soda) blasted and the paint job looked perfect up to the time I sold it ten years later.
06-04-2014, 07:29 PM
#48
Race Director
100% also...DUB
