Paint Stripping a 56

[Cathy S.]

What method yields the best results. Chemical, sanding or maybe walnut shell blasting? I'm experienced sanding but the paint is thick and cracking. I am considering captian jacks chemical stripper. It surly don't want any bubbling or I'll effects. Even after washing with lacquer thinner and setting in the sun I'm a little concerned.

Thoughts?

[Patrick N.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Cathy, this has been discussed a few times and may be worth searching in the archives. Media blasting with baking soda is one way to go, provided the person doing the blasting has experience.

For me, I rolled my car outside in the summer sun then used a 4" razor to strip the paint. The paint was thick and long ribbons of paint came of with each pass and the car was done in about a couple hours. Thinner and a red scotch bright pad to remove the remainder of primer along with plenty of rinsing finished the job. This technique is not for everyone, but it works for me. If you were to do it, grind the corners of the blade so they are rounded as to not gouge the body. Here's a link of someone showing how to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7kr6...eature=related

Again, blasting seems to be very popular, I'm sure others with more experience will help you on this.

Pat

[Jim D.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

I've been using stripper for over 30 years and never had a single problem with the paint applied afterwards. I stripped my 60 in the mid 80's and shot it with Dupont acrylic lacquer. It still looks beautiful today. Here's what I use - http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=82&prodid=113

[Erik S.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

For me, I rolled my car outside in the summer sun then used a 4" razor to strip the paint. The paint was thick and long ribbons of paint came of with each pass and the car was done in about a couple hours. Thinner and a red scotch bright pad to remove the remainder of primer along with plenty of rinsing finished the job. This technique is not for everyone, but it works for me. If you were to do it, grind the corners of the blade so they are rounded as to not gouge the body. Here's a link of someone showing how to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7kr6...eature=related

Pat

interesting link on youtube / will stripping with razor blades also work on BC/CC paint jobs with supaduppa hard clear coat?

[Patrick N.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

interesting link on youtube / will stripping with razor blades also work on BC/CC paint jobs with supaduppa hard clear coat?

Hi Erik,

Good ques. I've done this with older paint jobs but would expect similar results- even with the supaduppa CC. I'd expect the paint to flake and chip more. It may take a bit more pressure when gliding the blade- the harder the paint the more force you need to apply to remove the paint- it takes a couple passes to get the "feel". A sharp blade is key, I use one blade for each area like the door, fender, hood etc...

Best,
Pat

[Gary C.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

IMHO stripper actually works best with no damage or residual problems if done properly.

Key is to work in small areas, get the stripper off ASAP. Once stripped let the stripper cure out for about 30 days prior to apply gelcoat.

Never any paint spiders using this approach.

Gary
....

[Paul J.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Cathy, I think you mean Cap'n Lee's, which advertises that it's safe for fiberglass and is popular on this forum. You can use other types of stripper also. Jim's suggestion is also popular and much easier to get. As with any stripper, it can penetrate the glass, that's why you have to be careful with it and get it off as soon as it does it's job. There are specific techniques that you should use. There is a lot on this in the archives. Check it out.

Sanding is also popular, but just too much work in my opinion. The razor blade method is faster, but both of these can potentially damage the glass. Nothing that can't be repaired, but it can create more work, especially if the scratches are too deep for high build primer.

The only blasting that I would recommend is soda blasting, and I'm in the process of checking it out. It leaves metal surfaces too smooth for paint (no tooth), but it should work well for fiberglass.

Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Cathy: I just stripped my '65 Coupe in it's entirety. The car is not off the frame but the engine is out of it. I did not take the doors off and therefore did not strip the jambs. I used 'Aircraft Stripper For Fiberglas' to get the paint off with. I used a plastic 'bondo spreader' to 'rake' the sort of liquified/gooey old paint (lacquer in this case) off. I pushed it into a small cardboard box that could easily be held near where the stripping was occuring. You will need to wear chemical resistant gloves and eye protection when using this stuff as it will burn you in an instant. Make sure you have a good airflow as I am sure it is bad to breath the fumes also. The old lacquer paint came off pretty easily. This left a coat of sort of gray primer which also comes off pretty easily with a Scothbrite pad (red) and some lacquer thinner. The red oxide primer up under that is tougher. The Scotchbrite and lacquer thinner will get it but it is tough. The stripper seemed not to dent that red oxide at (at least in my case). It took quite a number of days to get all of the paint/primer off the car. It would have taken even longer if there had been multiple coats of paint but in my case most of the paint was the original. I am going to paint the car this week with a acrylic lacquer paint. We will see how it all turns out. Good luck.

[Tom N.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Hi Cathy,
Mike Martin gave you a lot of good tips for sure...the only two things I can add is if you use chemical paint stripper,MAKE SURE IT IS THE ONE YOU CAN USE ON FIBERGLASS.
The product Klean Strip for fiberglass {they also make the stronger version,not for fiberglass] is a really good one which I have used many times on Corvettes with no problemd...The second advice is the only one thing that neutralizes it is WATER [H20}. Lacquer thinner can be use after neutralizng it.

[Cathy S.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Great tips!

Thanks all for the guidance.

[Donald H.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

I stripped the paint off my 1960. I would highly recommend trying the blade technique. I actually used a blade scraper from the hardware store and the paint came off in big chunks. I then used the Capt'n Lee stripper for the remaining paint and primer. Worked very good.

[Doug L.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

I stripped my '64 last year with Capt. Lee's. I'd use a plastic scrapper (careful not to gouge the fiberglass) to get most of the paint off. Then use Scotchbrite pads soaked in lacquer thinner. It's messy but works like a charm.
Doug

[Joe M.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

I always used dupont stripper when it was still available. I've tried others with success but caution that you wash the glass stripped after each session. I have left stripper on, even the safe for fibrglass kind, and it will raise the fiberglass if allowed to sit overnight. The glass looks like a raied welt. Sanding gets rid of it and no residual effects. Very scary firast time you see that. guess if you are artistic you can create relief art on your car.

Much of the early glass like 57 and below is somewhat porous as I found on the inner truck lid of my 57. Don't like stripper and not condusive to razor blades. The glass is just too soft and it is in original paint. Still pondering that.

[Jim D.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

I have left stripper on, even the safe for fibrglass kind, and it will raise the fiberglass if allowed to sit overnight.

I suggest that you READ and FOLLOW the instructions to prevent this from happening in the future.

[Joe M.]

Re: Paint Stripping a 56

Oh, thanks for that well thought out suggestion. It wasn't helpful.