original laquer needs to be stripped?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: new mexico
original laquer needs to be stripped?
my 79 has original laquer and is checking/cracking. does this need to come off before painting with a moderen clear coat? Is bead blasting ot stripper better/cheaper? Thanks guys
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 577
Likes: 26
From: st george utah
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Re: original laquer needs to be stripped? (jvm)
yes or it will crack again you noy use aircraft striper but very bad smell
and strong will eat any thing including fiber glass make suer if used you wash it off althoe i would see if paint shop has something better
and strong will eat any thing including fiber glass make suer if used you wash it off althoe i would see if paint shop has something better
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 446
Likes: 62
From: Sugar Land Texas
Re: original laquer needs to be stripped? (jvm)
It needs to be stripped. Some on this forum have used razor blades and say it's real easy. Maybe they will see this and respond. I believe LARS could elaborate further, so you might want to e-mail him.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: original laquer needs to be stripped? (jvm)
Yes, the lacquer has to come off. Lacquer, being early 1900's technology paint (my gawd, Henry Ford used the stuff on Model T's...!) is not catalyzed, so it is very volatile and unstable (note your cracking, crazing, and other problems). Anything applied over the top of the lacquer will tend to soften it, and it will start to react. Poor results are usually the outcome.
I know some Forum people have had good luck with paint strippers, but I have seen so many instances of nightmare results that I personally do not advocate chemical strippers on FRP or SMC panels. If your original lacquer is in poor shape, the car will block-sand down to the primer in no time at all. Sanding it down also gives you the opportunity to block the panels out, and produces a great base for an outstanding basecoat/clearcoat paint job.
Several of the Forum guys here on C3 have done this work themselves by using my Paint Basics paper as a guide. Their results have been very good. Feel free to drop me a note if you'd like a copy of the paper or if you need any assistance. Good luck with the work - it can be very rewarding!
I know some Forum people have had good luck with paint strippers, but I have seen so many instances of nightmare results that I personally do not advocate chemical strippers on FRP or SMC panels. If your original lacquer is in poor shape, the car will block-sand down to the primer in no time at all. Sanding it down also gives you the opportunity to block the panels out, and produces a great base for an outstanding basecoat/clearcoat paint job.
Several of the Forum guys here on C3 have done this work themselves by using my Paint Basics paper as a guide. Their results have been very good. Feel free to drop me a note if you'd like a copy of the paper or if you need any assistance. Good luck with the work - it can be very rewarding!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: original laquer needs to be stripped? (lars)
Yes.definitly strip the old stuff off.I personally use chemical strippers.I have had a couple of vettes bead blasted but I wont anymore .The price has seem to have gone up (more than double in 3 years)and it always ends up resembling a fuzzy tennis ball when its done.After you strip it you will have to sand the remainder off or at least the residue. :seeya
