Do I strip or Do I not Strip ?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Americus Georgia
What do you recommend for sanding the paint, what is the process, what grits of sand paper, da sander I assume also? Can someone list a step by step process from old paint to a ready to paint surface.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Western Loudoun County VA
There are a bunch of threads on the topic and a whole forum area on just painting and bodywork in general here that I read through before getting started. Here is one of the threads that came up recently https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...stripping.html
I described in more detail, but in short did the razor blade method on the paint and stripper on the multiple layers of primer under it. I used Citrustrip from Home Depot that I thought was good at the time. My painter gave me some aircraft stripper to take the lacquer off some rims and it ate right through it a lot faster than citrustrip ever did on the primer.
Anyway, head over to the paint and body forum and read through there for a while for all you should need to get started.
I described in more detail, but in short did the razor blade method on the paint and stripper on the multiple layers of primer under it. I used Citrustrip from Home Depot that I thought was good at the time. My painter gave me some aircraft stripper to take the lacquer off some rims and it ate right through it a lot faster than citrustrip ever did on the primer.
Anyway, head over to the paint and body forum and read through there for a while for all you should need to get started.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
If it still has factory lacquer paint (or primer) it should be stripped. It's ok to paint over modern 2K paint.
I do not recommend a DA sander unless you really know what you're doing. If you don't you'll end up with ruined panels (wavy, thin and rounded edges/lines). I recommend you razor blade or use chem strip.
I do not recommend a DA sander unless you really know what you're doing. If you don't you'll end up with ruined panels (wavy, thin and rounded edges/lines). I recommend you razor blade or use chem strip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,031
Likes: 1,121
From: North tonawanda NY
I agree with above... if its modern urethane paint and its not bubbling or peeling you would be fine sanding, sealing and painting... if its l aquer you need to remove it. I have my car half stripped with a razor blade and heat gun... it had been stripped before and I found a lot of repairs and evidence of three different colors... paint was bubbling from what I guess was evidence of a chemical stripper used in the past and not being properly neutralized?
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Could be. Or something (like oil or brake fluid) got on the fiberglass before paint. Or they used incompatible primer/paint. Or just crap paint.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
If it is the original paint and it is in good condition, scuff it with 400 and seal it with epoxy. Then paint. If you are not sure strip it. I use paint stripper for fiberglass. That is better than sandpaper or razors. Because you will not dig into the fiberglass.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Because of the work and cost involved in the finish coats of paint I think it's unwise to short cut the preparation in anyway.
Many people believe stripping the old paint with a remover is a good method that doesn't damage the surface of the fiberglass.
Since you really have no way of knowing what's going on with the existing paint, and can't see if some fiberglass repairs need to be done, until all the paint is off, I think stripping with something like Capt. Lee's striper is a wise decision.
Be careful where or how much you sand because it's very easy to end up with a body that has had the sharp creases and sharp corners sanded off.
I believe 95% of the work involved in painting a Corvette is in the preparation. It takes a lot of skill to do the actual painting but goes relatively quickly.
Regards,
Alan
Because of the work and cost involved in the finish coats of paint I think it's unwise to short cut the preparation in anyway.
Many people believe stripping the old paint with a remover is a good method that doesn't damage the surface of the fiberglass.
Since you really have no way of knowing what's going on with the existing paint, and can't see if some fiberglass repairs need to be done, until all the paint is off, I think stripping with something like Capt. Lee's striper is a wise decision.
Be careful where or how much you sand because it's very easy to end up with a body that has had the sharp creases and sharp corners sanded off.
I believe 95% of the work involved in painting a Corvette is in the preparation. It takes a lot of skill to do the actual painting but goes relatively quickly.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Normally I suggest Strip, but if you have had the car for a very long time and for certain know the history of the body,
with no spider cracking, no cracks anywhere, no paint problems, you have a solid base that probable would be ok to paint over.
Ultimately this decision needs to be made by whomever is going to paint it.
good luck
with no spider cracking, no cracks anywhere, no paint problems, you have a solid base that probable would be ok to paint over.
Ultimately this decision needs to be made by whomever is going to paint it.
good luck