Paint Removal

[Herb P.]

What is the best method of stripping the lacquer paint off a 67 Coupe? Is it better to media blast or use an aircraft stripper type of liquid?

[Donald T.]

Re: Paint Removal

Do not use aircraft stripper. If you chemically strip, you must use a stripper designed to be used on fiberglass. You will get differences of opinion of media blasting versus chemical stripping, so that will really come down to your preference. Either way will be effective if done properly. You can search the archives and you will find a lot of information on this topic.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Paint Removal

Herb,

IMO, use paint stripper and do a small section at a time wiping it clean with a good bath of laquer thinner after the paint is removed. Make sure there is good ventilation and use gloves, keeping the stripper away from any other cars.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Paint Removal

How about a light stripper that would take off only one layer of paint leaving the under layer intact?

[Jim T.]

Re: Paint Removal

I have only stripped two Corvettes, my original owner 1968 and original owner 1970. used Captains Lee's SPRA-STRIP. Leon, Eileen & Brian Desmaris 615 883-5707 located in Hermitage, TN 1 800-421-9498 FAX 615-889-1798. This information was taken from their business card I have had for years. My stipping with their product left the factory primer coat. I wet sanded the primer off easily.

[Ray G.]

Re: Paint Removal

Have used this product many times. H2Off. a water rinsing paint remover by savogran.
Works great by following directions to remove original paint and leave the factory primer.
We removed everything from the body, spread cardboard layers under the car to facilitate entrapment of the paint removed, do small sections, in a well ventilated area, and thoroughly rinse at the end of each daily session. Image is a picture of a picture.
There are many horror stories out there, If blasting is used to remove paint.

my .02
.H2off.jpg

[Mike M.]

Re: Paint Removal

I stripped my '65 Coupe this past year. i used an aircraft type chemical stripper designed for use of fiberglass. It removed the old lacquer (original) paint well (I used a bondo spreader as a tool to scrape off the old paint-you have to be careful if using a razor scraper). However, it would not remove much of the red primer underneath. I had to use lacquer thinner on that using a Scotchbrite pad and a LOT of elbow grease. It was a slow labor intensive process process that took me quite a long number of hours (days). I think the end result was worth it. We primed with an two part epoxy primer before shooting with lacquer paint (from TCP Global). The NCRS judges like the end result saying it had all the look of original. There is much in the archives on this subject. Good luck. Mike ps Do not get that chemical remover on you and protect your eyes as it is some tough stuff; you need excellent ventilation for that stuff too.

[Gene M.]

Re: Paint Removal

Herb,

IMO, use paint stripper and do a small section at a time wiping it clean with a good bath of laquer thinner after the paint is removed. Make sure there is good ventilation and use gloves, keeping the stripper away from any other cars.

Good advice here. Lacquer comes off fairly easy compared to other paints. The red oxide base primer is the most work required as compared to the gray primer and the finish lacquer. All three are lacquer based. A water soluable stripper such as strip ease works just fine. And follow Tim's lead on the use of thinner.

[Tom A.]

Re: Paint Removal

Leon Desmaris has been out of the stripper business for years. He sold his business to Halon marketing. They still sell his Captain Lee's spray strip. This is probably the best stripper for use on fiberglass I have ever found. I sure miss Leon he was a great guy. He used to be at all of the shows.
Halon Marketing, LLC
P.O. Box 72203
Thorndale, PA. 19372
PH 610-269-4711
halonmarketing.com

[Domenic T.]

Re: Paint Removal

I'll tell you the hard way,

Back in 1971 I started with a single edge razor blade and had some help from a friend.

After a dozen blades, sore fingers and some paint chips under my finger nails I was done when the sun came up.

In 1965 we painted a coupe with custom paint. It was brought in stripped.

They used what was available at the time and the body looked like it was ready for primer. A few days later the stripper found its way out of the glass (where it was repaired) and wrinkled the custom paint which was pearl.

In those days you had to do it all over to get the same outcome.

SO thats why I used a razor and spent all knight. The only other thing was that I dug in in a few places with the edge of the blade, they were easily filled .

DOM

[Patrick N.]

Re: Paint Removal

I'm with Dom, I use a blade. I did my car in the summer- left it out to bake in the sun and in about 2 hours she was stripped. A couple digs as well but nothing to worry about.

[Herb P.]

Re: Paint Removal

Thanks to all responders.

I watched a body shop yesterday apply Aircraft Stripper to a 67 coupe and was concerned if that was the best choice to use on my 67. I am going to the Kissimmee NCRS event this month and will look for some Captain Lee's SPRAY STRIP.

Not sure I want to tackle the job with a razor blade!

[Paul J.]

Re: Paint Removal

Herb, use either Captain Lee's or sandpaper. Tom gave you the Halon contact info. Check out their website.

Paul

[Herb P.]

Re: Paint Removal

Thanks Paul.

[Paul D.]

Re: Paint Removal

I used Cap't Lee's on my '67. Then scotchbrite and laquer thinner on the red oxide primer.I had 2 coats of Laquer on the the car(original and a repaint). I did the jams and all. Just MAKE SURE you wash the piece very good afterward. I did a door or a fender a day,was in no hurry. I washed affected panel and WHOLE car every afternoon. I let car sit out side for about 2 weeks after getting to bare glass to make sure no thinner was left in the panels. I only wanted to paint the car once,with the price of red paint and supplies going thru the roof. I put base/clear on the car.......P..