The best way to remove paint.

[MarzVP]

Okay it is no secret that my cars paint is stuffed. I would like to strip it down so she can be painted. What is the best way to remove the old paint?

[Boonz]

paint stripper for the bonnet, roof and boot

orbital sander with 80 grit should do the trick if the paint is frooted cos theres not alot of clearcoat to eat through

[AirStrike]

Depending on what colour you are gonna paint it depends on how far back you need to take it. If you are spraying it the same colour again it wont need to be taken right back.
AirStrike

[Boonz]

also depends on how cracked the paint is.... the last thing you want when respraying a car is crazy cracks all over the joint..

[sircruisealotVS]

the best way??...if you got the dosh to spend, acid dip the body.
straight back to bare metal over night,lol.
but for the rest of us who cant afford the cost of an acid dip...eleci' sander.

[ucwepn]

Yeah If you are just going to respray the same colour you only need a slight rub back, just enough to take off the clearcoat and give the new paint something to stick to. If there are crows feet in the current paint it will need to all come off or the crows feet will come back straight away.

[MarzVP]

I am changing colour and this is how bad the tailgate is.

[gopher]

what colour are you painting it?

[MarzVP]

Blue umm cant remember name of it right now

[AirStrike]

I see rust...........back to bare metal you go!!
Use a paint stripper for all the flat surfaces, bonnet and roof, and an electric sander for the rest.
Dont let the metal heat up to much when sanding as it can warp.
AirStrike

[sixshooter]

I can't recommend paint stripper or acid dipping body shells...

1. I've heard some people have had residues left in the metal from paint strippers which causes the new paint to peel.

2. Acid dipping will eat all the lead filler and factory treatment from areas you cant spray, such as inside the chassis rails. Acid dip a car only if you can run the car through some sort of bath treatment again before spraying.

I'd just hit the car with an orbital air powered sander till I get to the metal if it really needs to be taken back that far....

[Tasmaniak]

1. I've heard some people have had residues left in the metal from paint strippers which causes the new paint to peel.

I'd just hit the car with an orbital air powered sander till I get to the metal if it really needs to be taken back that far....

That is true sixshooter. I have seen it happen myself. A friend lifted it all off with a paint stripper and it left residue IN the metal. It effectively destroyed the car is it could never be painted again. Any coat of paint he put on just peeled within a few hours of drying.

[MarzVP]

Well that is invalueable information thanks guys this Site ROCKS!!!

[AirStrike]

I can't recommend paint stripper or acid dipping body shells...

1. I've heard some people have had residues left in the metal from paint strippers which causes the new paint to peel.

This would happen if you dont use an automotive grade stripper, left to long or not merticulusly cleaned afterwards. I have been into many a panel beaters/spray shops and they all use stripper. My cousins torana was sprayed by the same guy who does all the repair work for FPV here in VIC, and his was stripped back with paint stripper..........
AirStrike

[vt1538]

The best way I have seen is with a Sodium blaster. It is like a sand blaster that uses a sodium powder. The sodium will remove paint but it will not remove the metals factory rust coat, damage glass or even mark chrome strips. Also if the metal is in good nick it can be painted with primer after minor cleaning.

[Demons1964]

That is true sixshooter. I have seen it happen myself. A friend lifted it all off with a paint stripper and it left residue IN the metal. It effectively destroyed the car is it could never be painted again. Any coat of paint he put on just peeled within a few hours of drying.

Agree with what AirStrike says, use the automotive grade stuff. I used automotive paint stripper on my VC for my first ever paint job (only a couple of flat panels though, not the whole car) and when I finished removing that nasty stuff (ie as soon as the old paint had bubbled) it was thoroughly wiped clean with a few rounds of degreaser and Prepsol. Straight onto the bare metal went etch primer, high-fill primer and sanded smooth, acrylic enamel base coats and clear top coats. Never had a problem with orange peel and it was my first paint job.

By the way, I started the job using an orbital sander but the time taken to remove the paint was huge, not to mention the heat buildup in the panel (and the chance of warping) getting rid of the last of the old paint where some bare metal was exposed. Paint stripper was heaps quicker, and much easier on the muscles.

Just a word of warning when using paint stripper, it's very nasty stuff. Make sure it's done in a well-ventilated area and that your whole body is covered up, including rubber gloves. A full face mask comes in handy, or safety glasses at the very least. If you get any on your skin wash it off straight away because in the words of Gollum, "It burnsss!! It burnssss!!"

Mark.

[buff169]

Okay it is no secret that my cars paint is stuffed. I would like to strip it down so she can be painted. What is the best way to remove the old paint?

Hey mate, Okay go to bunnings or an auto shop (Repco, Auto One, Super cheap & ECT)
Get Sand papper grit of 80
Tin or a Pressure Pack can of a QUICK STRIPPER
Scrapers
Wire Brush (HEAVY DUTY)
Paint brush (Decent Size)
Rub the panels with the sand paper (alittle bit)
Then get the scraper and scratch the paint ( I did it like a grid comes off alil easier)
Apply a very thick layer on the panels (NOTE!!! DO NOT USE ON PLASTIC, CAN MELT & RETARD IT)
Chuck some pastic bags on it or a tarp/ drop sheet (So that the fumes can do its work)
Wait 15mins or so, Then get a scraper or wire brush to take off the paint
Repeat until done...
You can get a drill and do it with a wire brush but if you dont have one can be done by hand
Hope this helps

[walesy]

this thread is from 2006... pretty sure they sorted out their issue by now

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Gotta forgive noobs with their excavators......

[Tom_1569]

Gotta forgive noobs with their excavators......