paint stripping
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
paint stripping
Does anybody have any estimates as to how long on average it takes to stip paint off a vette with razor blades? I'm not trying to set a record but trying to compare with a chemical stripper. I will also want the same estimate with paint stripper. I looked in the paint section but was not able to find any answers. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
I completely understand what you are saying . I'm one of those that will not even stop to eat if I have a job to finish. I'm curious about an approximate time, where I can decide if I can do it myself or get a couple of people to help. Thanks for the response.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
can't answer for any time differences in the two methods but Ill recommend chemical striiping strongly over the razor blade method.
No matter how careful you are you WILL nick the body countless times with the razorblade method with the blade. Each little nick is going to become a repair point to fix the nick before sealing, priming, painting so it's going to end up creating additional work.
done CORRECTLY and with the proper type of stripper meant for fiberglass use chemical stripping is going to be the overall safest method to strip a Corvette body.
No matter how careful you are you WILL nick the body countless times with the razorblade method with the blade. Each little nick is going to become a repair point to fix the nick before sealing, priming, painting so it's going to end up creating additional work.
done CORRECTLY and with the proper type of stripper meant for fiberglass use chemical stripping is going to be the overall safest method to strip a Corvette body.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
I used both methods when stripping my 72. It had the original paint from the factory, then a primer coat, then orange coat, more primer, the a final black coat. I used the razor on the large open areas like the rear deck and hood and t-tops and got it carefully down to the original paint. Then bought citri-strip from Home Depot/ Lowes and went to town with it. The razor can make short work of it and I think I did the hood in 20- 30 mins but you must be careful and even then with nick something somewhere.
hth,
Sully
hth,
Sully
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
If you are going to use chemical stripper at all, why not just use it for the entire car? Any down side that you can have from using stripper will already be there. Just put some liners around the car to catch the crap that runs and is is scraped off, cover wheels and anything you don't want stripper on, paint it on and walk away.
I used the stripper then came back with a butterfly sander to get what little bit of the paint that was left. I could have put one more coat on in areas that needed it but was out of the stripper and didn't want to order more.
Stripper would take you one weekend not working hard. Most of the time spent will be drinking beer while you let it work. Could do it all in a day if you wanted to.
I'd guess razor blades would take about a month working weekends especially considering that you don't want to push yourself to where you get careless.
I used the stripper then came back with a butterfly sander to get what little bit of the paint that was left. I could have put one more coat on in areas that needed it but was out of the stripper and didn't want to order more.
Stripper would take you one weekend not working hard. Most of the time spent will be drinking beer while you let it work. Could do it all in a day if you wanted to.
I'd guess razor blades would take about a month working weekends especially considering that you don't want to push yourself to where you get careless.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Harleysville PA
it took me around 15-20 hours to strip my car, but it had an old lacquwer job on it so was fairly easy. Then I had to sand the old red primer off. Its really not that hard and dont listen to the knicking the body - if you grind off the edges of the razor and take your time you get into a groove and it comes off in big sections. My car didn't need any repairs to razor damage. Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Jeez, I don't know where you guys are getting these low estimates from.
If you want a thorough, over the top, strip job, its going to take as long as it takes...I know that's not what you are looking for in an answer, but it is what it is. One thing you have to realize about bodywork - NOTHING takes only a couple hours. I do this for a living, and can vouch for that.
Not one razor blade. Not one piece of sandpaper.
If you want a thorough, over the top, strip job, its going to take as long as it takes...I know that's not what you are looking for in an answer, but it is what it is. One thing you have to realize about bodywork - NOTHING takes only a couple hours. I do this for a living, and can vouch for that.
Not one razor blade. Not one piece of sandpaper.
Last edited by stinger12; Jan 17, 2012 at 03:33 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I used Cpt'n Lee. Whatever you use make sure that it is ok for fiberglass. Use a mask and gloves too, preferably the longer gloves like women wear to do the dishes. The stuff does burn if you get it on your skin. Don't rush it, give it plenty of time to do it's work.
