Removing paint
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I used Capt'n Lee's to strip mine. It took it down to the last coat of primer and then I sanded it from there. I don't know if another coat would have taken the primer off or not, but figured it was better for the stripper not to touch the bare fiberglass. Mine sat for a month after being stripped before any primer or paint was applied. I washed it thourougly with water to neutralize the stripper and then went over the whole car with laquer thinner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
I was not in to that, so I went for the media blast process.
It cost me a trip by trailer to and back from the media blaster and $450 for his service, but is sure looked great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies and I hope to have it stripped in a week and then like you guys were saying, to let it offgas and wipe it down with thinner before primering. I will keep you updated and with some pics.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Razor blades are easier, cheaper, faster, safer, better, probably more.
Paint stripper sucks.
It's like scraping a sticker off a winshield. Usually it's really easy.
( once in a while you will find paint that is bonded too well for razor blades)
I did my whole car with razor blades, Except the primer, I sanded that off.
Went from this
To this
to this
Paint stripper sucks.
It's like scraping a sticker off a winshield. Usually it's really easy.
( once in a while you will find paint that is bonded too well for razor blades)
I did my whole car with razor blades, Except the primer, I sanded that off.
Went from this
To this
to this
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Razor blades are easier, cheaper, faster, safer, better, probably more.
Paint stripper sucks.
It's like scraping a sticker off a winshield. Usually it's really easy.
( once in a while you will find paint that is bonded too well for razor blades)
I did my whole car with razor blades, Except the primer, I sanded that off.
Paint stripper sucks.
It's like scraping a sticker off a winshield. Usually it's really easy.
( once in a while you will find paint that is bonded too well for razor blades)
I did my whole car with razor blades, Except the primer, I sanded that off.
Razorblades were pretty easy and a D/A sander occasionally. It is amazing how the pait just flies off once you get going.From this:
to this:
To the final product! worth all the prep work!:
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Captain lee's worked good for me. The biggest thing is to let it do it's job before you try to remove it.....and wear gloves. I found that If I took a putty knife and put a scratch in the paint, it would use that area to find its way under the paint and then come off really easily. I'd do it outside because of the fumes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Check this guys video of stripping with razor blades.
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ng%20paint.AVI
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ng%20paint.AVI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I learned how to paint in the USAF, in 1975. I also learned to do sheetmetal and fiberglass (well, composites) also. I was told repeatedly not to use a chemical stripper on fiberglass. The chemical stripper would leave deposits that would ruin a paint job. Don't ask how I learned this on a $3,000 paint job, but I fixed it.
So, for me, no chemical stripper, even though I know I'm anold school fart. I'm sure there is some chemical strippers that work just fine on 'glass, just not my 'glass.
I prefer PolyPlus plastic beads, with a very low air pressure. I can take the "paint" off of a Coke can without distorting the aluminum can. Blasting 'glass after that is a ole fat cake job. my $.02
BBTank
So, for me, no chemical stripper, even though I know I'm anold school fart. I'm sure there is some chemical strippers that work just fine on 'glass, just not my 'glass.
I prefer PolyPlus plastic beads, with a very low air pressure. I can take the "paint" off of a Coke can without distorting the aluminum can. Blasting 'glass after that is a ole fat cake job. my $.02
BBTank
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
On my 72 coupe, it had two paint job on top on the original steel cities grey... I used razorblades and am almost done with the DA sander work. Went very quick once I got the hang of it! Either razor it and deal with the dust and scrappings or you can use a chem stripper and deal with the fumes and mush. Your choice and your car... many people have used both techniques and ended up with beautiful end products. Good luck with the process.
Sully
Sully
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
I think it depends on the paint you are dealing with. I have taken them down to bare glass 4 times. C3 factory paint is a piece of cake. Use any method mentioned here. I did my C3 in a day and a half with stripper. Had it painted with Imron. 12 years and 200000 miles later it was time to do it again. I stripped, sanded and scraped for days before I was done. C4, factory paint sands off easily. The one I'm doing now has 5 coats of base, 5 clear and 2 primer, not so fun. 
