Paint stripping methods
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Paint stripping methods
I am looking for a "better" way to strip paint from my Vette to have it painted. I can't do it myself so I must rely on a commercial company. I just spoke to a guy who does the "baking soda" method locally, and he want $1200 IF I remove a bunch of stuff from the car. The body shop I want to paint the car wants $1500 to strip it, but chemically, and they will do everything. This method he tells me will require some additional bodywork, which he cannot give me a price on until the outer layers of paint are stripped. Anybody have another idea?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I wouldn't strip it. With new modern technology paints that is no longer necessary. Sand and/or 3M brite pad it and final sand prep.
Some of the problems with chemical strippers is ensuring every bit of it has been removed. Otherwise it resurfaces in the new paint.
Some of the problems with chemical strippers is ensuring every bit of it has been removed. Otherwise it resurfaces in the new paint.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
True advice but be careful. If the paint is currently failing or will in a year or two then it will take the new finish with it. That being said I do generally agree to sand off any questionable areas, then shoot primer, wet sand, and go from there.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
The problem is that the car had previous paint work, which was not done correctly, and the 1/4 panels are bleeding thru on the top. A body shop tried wet sanding the 1/4's but they are to far gone. The rear bumper cover was "bumped" somewhere before I got it and it needs to be completely stripped as the clear coat was "re-applied" and it's cracking all over. The rest of the car is "fair" but by the time they blend the rear they will be all the way up to the front fender, and the "rear" work is almost as much as redoing the car in Dupont paint.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
A medium grade 3M Brite Pad will make easy work of that clear coat.
It's just not a good idea to use chemicals to strip paint from SMC.
If the bumper was damaged at all, consider a new one. They are not that expensive. Most of it is labor installing it. And I would loosen it in either case to paint it and the rear end so that you get full coverage across the edges of the bumper facia. Trying to paint and edge will cause cracks down the road.
It's just not a good idea to use chemicals to strip paint from SMC.
If the bumper was damaged at all, consider a new one. They are not that expensive. Most of it is labor installing it. And I would loosen it in either case to paint it and the rear end so that you get full coverage across the edges of the bumper facia. Trying to paint and edge will cause cracks down the road.
