Norcoastal

I've been stripping down my old paint using a razor blade and a scraper.

Does anyone know if will it be any easier to scrape if I heat the paint first?

70Yellowbird

When I did my '70, having to remove only the original paint and primer, I tried both methods. When using just a razor blade, some primer came off with the lacquer. I found that the lacquer finish came off easier when first applying heat, but that method left a thicker layer of primer remaining. Then the thicker primer seemed to take more effort to remove, using acetone to remove the primer.
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.

Norcoastal

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.

homestead

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

ignatz

You might try the Paint/Body section under Forums! As well as do a search there.

20mercury

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-bodywork.html

Good info!

lowbuck72

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.

L-46man

The correct and recommended way to strip a Corvette is with chemical stripper.
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

Mr D.

Paint stripper is by far the best way to strip a Vette.

lakerider57

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

Mod75

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.

Norcoastal

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.

540 vette

I have done it both ways and and got good results from both.

69Vett

Stripped with Razor blades, use epoxy primer to seal after strip and flat block.

Norcoastal

Your car looks great!

Easy Mike

So have I.

Norcoastal

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...

Norcoastal

Ttt

Redvette_22

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.

Mod75

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.