paint stripper

[John S.]

HELP!!! Can anyone tell me the name of a paint stripper I can safely use on the fiberglas on my 57 corvette. It has Lacquer paint on it and I need to take it down to the fiberglas to repaint it with base coat/clear coat. Please respond.

[Jeremy Hedges]

Re: paint stripper

I have used Kleen Strip fiberglass stripper with good results, don't leave it on very long and make sure you get it all off.

[James F.]

Re: paint stripper

John,
I used NAPA Fiberglass Paint Stripper # 6804. Took about two applications to do my '56. Reasonably priced, easily available (not connected with, yada, yada). Took about two quarts. Regards,

[James F.]

Meant to say two gallons. *NM*

[Rob A.]

Re: paint stripper

Blue Lightning Restoration Products 800 501 1562 Spray on pain remover, works excellent, won't hurt gelcoat. Just keep spraying it over itself, paint comes off easily, however, lacquer will not come off as easy as other types.

[Louis Kolb]

Re: paint stripper

Regardless of which stripper you decide to use, make sure that you wash the body thoroughly. It seems that you can not wash the fiberglass enough to remove all traces of stripper. When you think you have washed it enough, wash it again. You do not want any surprises later.

[Ron R.]

Re: paint stripper

I've heard someone strip the entire car with a razor blade. Anyone familiar with this technique? I would think one would gouge the heck out of the body.
Thanks,
Ron

[Mike M.]

Soda Blast

Mine was soda blasted and the guys that did the paint and body really loved it. They said it made there job a lot easier. You don't have to worry about stripper getting into the fiber glass.

[Dennis A.]

Re: Stripping Fiberglass

John . . . I used Auto Spra-Strip and the Eckler Fiberglass repair products with excellent results. After working for months on doing the job right, My recommendation is to have good blasted do the job. The time saved and the end result quality, Blasting is will worth your thinking.

[G B.]

Urban myths and disasters

This advice is based my personal experience.

If you attempt to strip the paint off a Corvette body with a razor blade, you will nick it up. Especially in the corners and recesses.

Blasting (sand, bead, plastic, walnut shell, you-name-it) will destroy the factory surface texture of fiberglass body panels.

Most chemical strippers are safe for fiberglass, but some urethane strippers are so powerful that IF YOU LEAVE THEM ON TOO LONG, they will cause the resin to swell.

The chemical strippers I have used have never reacted with the new body paint. I rinse the body once with tap water after stripping.

Painting over old paint will cause surface imperfections to appear in the new paint over time.

I have never encountered a Corvette with a factory "gel-coat" on the outer skin.

Grinding or sanding off the factory primer will destroy the factory surface texture of fiberglass body panels. This primer can be safely scrubbed off, however, with steel wool or Scotchbrite type pads soaked in stripper.

I have never found a chemical stripper which can melt Imron or Featherfill.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Urban myths and disasters

I agree with Jerry on most points except that I have had stripper get into the glass and come back to haunt, so I will not let the stripper go any farther than the original primer and then sand that off. I have not done Soda blasting but I have heard good things also. On the subject of sand or bead blasting, My feelings are that it is fine, and I have had very good results. But you have to know what you are doing, and I wouldnt take the chance on letting someone else do it for me. I blast just enough to peck the paint up and then easily sand off the remainder of the paint. This leaves a nice surface and does not damage the fiberglass.

[William R.]

Re: paint stripper

I used CMA Fiberglass Stripper 520F (CMA Chemicals, Phila, PA) with good results on my '62. Took about 3 gallons since I had to go through lots of clear & lots of metalflake paint. I scrubbed with Scotch-Brite pads & lacquer thinner to remove primer. As has been mentioned!! - rinse good with soap & water many times & let sit in sun to dry out!!

Bill