Best way to strip the paint off the body

[Michael L.]

Guys,

What is the best way to strip the paint off the body? I want to strip the car myself prior to lowering onto the chassis to prevent messing up the frame paint. I have a soda blaster or could chemically strip it if needed.

Mike

[Dick W.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Soda blasting by a very experienced and competent operator. I also have had several cars stripped by using plastic media with good results

[Jack M.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

I've heard 'dry ice' blasting was an excellent option... as nothing extra is left over. No personal experience... your mileage may vary.

[Keith W.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Mike - another interesting way

https://youtu.be/g7kr6F8mXsM

https://youtu.be/jtibpD6JFcA

[Frank D.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Mike - another interesting way

https://youtu.be/g7kr6F8mXsM

https://youtu.be/jtibpD6JFcA

You will get a bunch of opinions on the 'razor blade' approach - some say it will only work on old lacquer...

But it works....like here on single stage Chromabase...

You can't use the method everywhere, like in tight corners at the faux air scoops and elsewhere but if you can do it on the large areas its a time saver and less damaging than the body shop kid with the media blaster that pounds your nice crisp belt line ridge into a rounded hump...

I also got double handfuls of old blast media from the previous owner's half-azz paint job from behind the dash and out of the headliner of this car on dis-assembly - another downside..

[Timothy B.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Frank,

Maybe I missed it but what happened to your car..

Tim

[Frank D.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Frank,

Maybe I missed it but what happened to your car..

Tim

Well for one thing, a plaque of paint bubbles, prior owner just had a bad paint job done - incredibly poor prep..

[Keith W.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

Mike if you want advice ref body prep prior to paint and advice ref paint process, which I guess you will at some time, the guys to contact are -
Tom Ames, or John Ballard - both able to PM through NCRS site / not sure if details in driveline.
I am in the process of putting Silver Blue back on my 63 SWC - disscused this with John at San Antonio he was more than happy for me to send painted samples to him for verification corrrect colour etc - nice and knowledgeable guy as well.
best of luck - Keith

[Carnell M.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

I second the razor blade method. Once you get a system/rhythm going it's kind of fun! You may have to add a LITTLE heat from a heat gun or something if it gets a little stubborn. It should just peel off!

[Gary J.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

If you are going to use razor blades I would used the plastic ones they will not gouge the body. I got mine from NAPA they have orange one and white ones the white ones are little stiffer.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

I have used a soda blaster on my 67 and the difference between getting the paint removed and saying oh crap ! is a blink of an eye. Proceed with caution , I would only use it in those places where sanding is miserable. Hope this helps. Jeff

[Patrick N.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

If you are going to use razor blades I would used the plastic ones they will not gouge the body. I got mine from NAPA they have orange one and white ones the white ones are little stiffer.

I also used the razor blade. Two things to recommend: heat does help, did mine on a very hot summer day with the body outside for a while, came off in very long strips. second point is, I used standard safety razor blades, but ground the corners to knock off the point. I found the corners of the blade would gouge the body if not careful. did not use the plastic as recommended, but I think that's a good call. I'd try that first if doing again.

Soda blasting is also very good with the right operator. One point to make is that the media is hydroscopic and will attract moister, not an issue on the body, but if it gets into crevasses on the frame or other metal parts, you could have rust later on if not fully cleaned out of tight places. Learned that on my friend's mustang

best of luck!

[Tom B.]

Re: Best way to strip the paint off the body

The razor blades do work well. I have done small areas that needed repair on Corvettes with great success. Once you get your rythem and technic down you will not have any gouging. It isn't for a tight concave radius though. I first tried this on a '47 Ford coupe back it 1965. It was an enamel paint job and letting it set in the sun resulted in the paint actually coming off in sheets. Like was said above, it's kind of fun.

Tom