Razor Blade Method
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Perhaps someone will chime in with an easier method to remove the primer. If you try a heat gun on a small test area ... I'd like to hear back with your results. In any case, good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 231
Likes: 15
Someone painted a grey primer over the original paint. I'm in the process of removing the primer and getting to the original paint. Then I'll have it painted properly.
I'll give it a try with heat and let you know.
I'll give it a try with heat and let you know.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 43
From: Vernon B.C.
I`ve done this a few times and when I applied heat the paint could be pulled off in sheets rather than small splinters. Its easier to clean up the floor after. The other thing when applying heat it would let go of the primer easier instead sticking to the paint. It left it smoother but if your taking off the primer then it makes no difference. Just my 0.02 cents
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 712
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 497
From: Chino Hills CA
When I was prepping, I used the heat gun, but with a narrow dull paint scraper, not a razor blade. I also replaced the front clip, and there's nothing better than heat to loosen the old panel bonding.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Not recommended!
It's a little hard for me to believe you're thinking of doing it this way...sanding the paint off of a Corvette isn't recommended EITHER.
1. It basically takes off one layer at a time.
2. It's controllable and can be neutralized.
3. GOUGING your fiberglass substrate with a razor blade is MUCH more work on the back end as you have to fill prep and seal all your scrapes and gouges.
4. Personally, I wouldn't use a heat gun on my car if you paid me for it...cracks the fiberglass. just a bad idea all around.
I did it all myself and as noxious as it was...it was all very straightforward, and I took my time and dis one panel at a time.
USE GLOVES and a PLASTIC SCRAPER
I used Zip-Strip... 15 years ago....the car looks as good today as it did 5 minutes out of the paint booth.
unkaHal
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 77
From: Jasper, GA
I agree, I used paint stripper and did the hood and t-tops one weekend and then did the rest of the car the next weekend. I double wiped with acetone after finishing each large area to make sure the chemical reaction was neutralized.
Richard
Richard
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,620
Likes: 694
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
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2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I was taking off a 35 year old lacquer paint job.
Never thought about heating it, i just used razor blades from H/F in some holders, went pretty fast, looked like silver saw dust.
Never thought about heating it, i just used razor blades from H/F in some holders, went pretty fast, looked like silver saw dust.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 231
Likes: 15
It funny how many conflicting results there are on this topic. There are many who use razor blades and many, like you, who say it's damaging. There are many that say to use a stripper and many who say that the stripper will soften and ruin the fiberglass. There are videos of people using heat and the paint practically melts off. There are those who say don't use heat.
Its so hard to determine what the right thing to do is.
Its so hard to determine what the right thing to do is.
Last edited by Norcoastal; Oct 3, 2017 at 08:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 231
Likes: 15
Ok, here's where I am (what's funny is that every time you do something, new questions pop up).
So I'm using a heat gun and a razor blade and it's coming off pretty easily.
This car has a coat of primer over the original two tone SA paint and the paint underneath is worn, but so much better than the primer.
I have two questions. Flat surfaces are easy, convex surfaces are easy, but what do you do about concave surfaces like around the wheel?
Also, what can I do to "attempt" to bring the original paint back? Wet sand? Compound?
I know it's still gonna look like ****, but it will actually look better than gray primer.
After I try to bring the paint back, I MAY leave it that way.
Here are some pix...
So I'm using a heat gun and a razor blade and it's coming off pretty easily.
This car has a coat of primer over the original two tone SA paint and the paint underneath is worn, but so much better than the primer.
I have two questions. Flat surfaces are easy, convex surfaces are easy, but what do you do about concave surfaces like around the wheel?
Also, what can I do to "attempt" to bring the original paint back? Wet sand? Compound?
I know it's still gonna look like ****, but it will actually look better than gray primer.
After I try to bring the paint back, I MAY leave it that way.
Here are some pix...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
I had used "Captain Lee's" paint stripper years ago on my 69 & 70, because it was designed for Corvettes, and worked great. I don't know if it is still available or not, but it was the easiest method I've seen.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,620
Likes: 694
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I did use some stripper for some of the curved areas, but the blades worked out the best with the least amount of mess/cleanup.
Sanded the rest.
Sanded the rest.