Paint removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Paint removal
My son and I am in the process of restoring (frame off) a 72 that we have had for 17 of his 18 years. We are now taking the paint off with razor blades and finding several layers of paint-primer and other interesting stuff.
Q. Was there a red primer/filler used in 72 and do you remove it with the paint? The car was re-painted when I bought it in 1985 and I'm finding all kinds of interesting layers.
I am new to the forum and just learning my way around - not sure if there is a way to look up questions by subject. If this has been recently asked could someone point me in the right direction. :confused:
Q. Was there a red primer/filler used in 72 and do you remove it with the paint? The car was re-painted when I bought it in 1985 and I'm finding all kinds of interesting layers.
I am new to the forum and just learning my way around - not sure if there is a way to look up questions by subject. If this has been recently asked could someone point me in the right direction. :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: Paint removal (spf72)
Some will disagree, but using a razorblade on fiberglass isn't the best thing you can do. Steel is harder than fiberglass and whether you know it or not, you are making small gouges in your body. These may not be visible until you apply your new paint job. There are special chemical strippers made for fiberglass that would indeed be the better way to go. If the car has the original factory paint job only, you most likely don't need to strip the car down to the fiberglas. It would be better to block sand the paint away and leave the original primer in tact. Whichever you decide to go....good luck with the project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Re: Paint removal (spf72)
Hello,
Although I am not an expert on painting, I'll give you my experience with painting my 68. I took the easy route but a little more expensive in removing the paint on my car. I used the plastic media blasting method done by an a shop with corvette experience. They blasted the paint off down to the original red primer. I then block sanded the car using 180 grit sand paper. I did not remove all the red primer, I just made sure all imperfections were out , the body was smooth and all edges were feathered. Remember to be careful around the edges and corners and not to sand out any of the body lines. I also took care of any body work that needed to be done. I then proceeded with the sealer surfacer steps, primer steps, painting steps and color sanding. Welcome.
Although I am not an expert on painting, I'll give you my experience with painting my 68. I took the easy route but a little more expensive in removing the paint on my car. I used the plastic media blasting method done by an a shop with corvette experience. They blasted the paint off down to the original red primer. I then block sanded the car using 180 grit sand paper. I did not remove all the red primer, I just made sure all imperfections were out , the body was smooth and all edges were feathered. Remember to be careful around the edges and corners and not to sand out any of the body lines. I also took care of any body work that needed to be done. I then proceeded with the sealer surfacer steps, primer steps, painting steps and color sanding. Welcome.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Paint removal (SIGNGUY)
Hi Steve, Welcome to the forum !!
The razor blade should be Ok on the flat areas.
The curved and sharp lines should be left to one
of the other methods (sanding, blasting, or chemicals) your choice.
You do want to be care ful to try and leave the original primer on - if possible.
Then the sand-seal-prime before painting as stated above.
Good luck :seeya
The razor blade should be Ok on the flat areas.
The curved and sharp lines should be left to one
of the other methods (sanding, blasting, or chemicals) your choice.
You do want to be care ful to try and leave the original primer on - if possible.
Then the sand-seal-prime before painting as stated above.
Good luck :seeya
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Re: Paint removal (spf72)
Daves-Rusty - looks like you did some work around the windshield?? Any helpful hints? I have been told it is quite a job to replace this area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Paint removal (spf72)
Hey Steve - having trouble with IM windows. I sent you an email instead.
You'll have to try and get some pictures posted, so we can see what you're up against.
:seeya
You'll have to try and get some pictures posted, so we can see what you're up against.
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Paint removal (Daves_rusty_75)
I dont like using razor blades because it will cause gouging.There are too many curved areas on a corvette to be using a flat razor blade .Plus it usually dont work well unless it has an obvious adhesion problem.I ve heard good things about the media blasting route also but I have had three corvettes done like that and havent been happy with any of them.I like to chemical strip.I know its a messy job but thats the best way I have found. :yesnod: :seeya
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Paint removal (paintdaddy)
I've stripped my car twice with Capt'n Lee's and have had good results both times. As stated it's a very messy job but it doesn't harm the fiberglass at all and when you're done you use water to neutralize it. I have a section on my website on striping paint. Check it out for some tips. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vettfixr/page9.htm
