1st time - paint stripper
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: Mount Laurel NJ
1st time - paint stripper
Ok, so I'm stripping the paint on my doors, and the rear clip (Front clip is being replaced)
This car has TONS of paint on it from over the years as it appears as it got repainted instead of stripped and painted.
I'm worried about going down too far. I started off with Captain Lee's, however because of the paint being so thick it was taking forever.
Can anyone confirm that the area near my thumb is the fiberglass? What color was the original primer?
So I decided to use a combination of heat to soften the paint and a scraper.
I am in South Jersey if anyone is a pro and ever wants to give me a few minutes hands on support.
The light gray area near my thumb appears to be the fiberglass.
Any advice, points, would be greatly appreciated.
This car has TONS of paint on it from over the years as it appears as it got repainted instead of stripped and painted.
I'm worried about going down too far. I started off with Captain Lee's, however because of the paint being so thick it was taking forever.
Can anyone confirm that the area near my thumb is the fiberglass? What color was the original primer?
So I decided to use a combination of heat to soften the paint and a scraper.
I am in South Jersey if anyone is a pro and ever wants to give me a few minutes hands on support.
The light gray area near my thumb appears to be the fiberglass.
Any advice, points, would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by 72C3Vette; Dec 6, 2013 at 08:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I just stripped my 80. I used Capt. Lees. I also had tons of paint on it. It took about 3 gallons to get it done. But I got it all off. I roughed up the paint with 40 grit first and then applied the stripper.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
You can't go "too far". Paint stripper will not dissolve fiberglass. The way to work with it is to apply it thick, don't brush it around, just slab it on there. It will work much better in warmer temps. Get the garage as warm as you can. You can cover it with plastic sheets to let it work without evaporating.
The paint stripper will not get rid of the factory lacquer primer. You will have to remove that the slow way. On mine we used scotchbrite and lacquer thinner.
Be sure to neutralize the chem strip with plenty of clean water. Water + dawn + scrub with scotchrite. Then switch to clean water and scrub again. Finally hose it off.
The paint stripper will not get rid of the factory lacquer primer. You will have to remove that the slow way. On mine we used scotchbrite and lacquer thinner.
Be sure to neutralize the chem strip with plenty of clean water. Water + dawn + scrub with scotchrite. Then switch to clean water and scrub again. Finally hose it off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
i agree with zwede. you cant go too far. i also stripped mine with captain lee's and it took mine down to.the primer. i then removed the primer by hand with. 220 wet sandpaper. then a thorough rinsing with clean water. the car sat for a month after that before going to the painter. 7 years later, still no problems.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Not mandatory, you might get lucky. But the primer is 40 years old and lacquer and it has just absorbed chem strip. There's a good chance your new paint will have issues in the future if the old primer isn't removed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
To save time and stripper, you may want to try removing that blue topcoat with razor blades. Then finish the rest with the Capt lee's. This is what I did on my current car. Once you get a feel for the blade, it moves along very quickly and by the end of the 1st panel you will be a pro. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 476
Likes: 6
I had two layers of paint to get off myself I used a mild stripper,a great many razor blades and sandpaper.Yes take the old primer off the car start fresh.I used an epoxy based primer.The old primer will not be compatable with the new paints.Wash the car a few time using Dawn soap it cuts grease and will clean the stripper off the car.You may also at this stage decide to clean out the body seams and refill with glass and West System Epoxy.Remember this takes time to do it right ,don't get in a race,if you get pissed with the car remember rule one,get a beer from the fridge.If anger continues go back to rule one.Just keep in mind your having fun.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: Mount Laurel NJ
Thanks for the info so far, how thick is primer? Also, can anyone confirm fiberglass is the light gray?
The idea about the plastic on top, will need to try that... stuff evaporates quickly.
The idea about the plastic on top, will need to try that... stuff evaporates quickly.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 476
Likes: 6
On my 69 the fiberglass ranges from light gray to dark gray.I found doing small areas at a time no more than 1-2 square feet at a time with stripper worked best.Just a note if someone tells you that you have gone too far if you hit fiberglass the early vettes did not have gelcoat.The primer in not very thick and can be sanded off easy.I found the paint to be the big pain.On my 69 the primer was the red orange colour the sandable primer on top was a light gray.From your picture you may have a little more sanding to reach the primer.