63 paint removal

[Robert B.]

I am getting ready to do the paint removal and i think it has been painted once in the past,I have heard a lot of people use razor blades (seems very labor intensive) and I hear that the method of media blasting works good for about a grand$ anyone have any experience with a place in Ct. that does media blasting? (Milford) Any recommedations as to the best method to remove the paint would be appreciated. Also what is the best way to remove the rear and front window exterior trim .Thanks

[Lyndon S.]

Re: 63 paint removal

I striped my 71 with cans of aircraft stripper and lots of sanding. Its a nasty job, but one You can do and save yourself some money

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 paint removal

Robert,

I agree with Lyndon, do a small section at a time and clean each little section with laquer thinner before you move on to the next piece.

Be very careful with those 63 moldings and clips, if you are not comfortable removing them, leave them in place until later when someone with experience can help or just tape around them when you paint. Many times the new paint gets scratched re-installing and some people will suggest installing and tape before final paint.

[Bill W.]

Re: 63 paint removal

The media blasting I have seen ate up the fiber glass . If you go that way look at one they just blasted or have a test piece done. I use stripper .

[Robert B.]

Re: 63 paint removal

forgot to mention that the car is in my basement and I would like to avioid the chemical smell and sanding. Does anyone have experience with media blasting or the razor blade method ? thanks

[Paul J.]

Re: 63 paint removal

Robert, the favorite paint removal method is Cap'n Lee's stripper. It's safe for fiberglass, although it can be expensive for a car with more than one paint job on it. Some people sand the paint off and this works well. Some will use soda blasting, but this requires very good preparation prior to painting. The razor blade method works, but can require more blocking on the body if you gouge it. Other types of blast media can eat the surface up. There are lots and lots of threads on paint removal in the archives.

Paul

[Patrick N.]

Re: 63 paint removal

Robert, I used the razor blade and did not have any issues. I did it a couple summers back. I did nick a couple times at first but then ground the corners of the blade and it was not a problem. Go slow, change the blade frequently, grind the corners of the blade to round them (the corners will cause the gouging). once i got the feel of it, I was able to remove long ribbons of paint. it took about 2 hours to remove 95% of the paint. Don't try to use the blade in tight areas, i.e. inside rear tail lights, side gills... Cap'n Lees is great and makes short work of those areas.

[Robert B.]

Re: 63 paint removal

I really would like to try the razor blade method. How many coats of paint was there on your car? you say it took about 3 Hrs?
thats pretty good. Thanks

[Patrick N.]

Re: 63 paint removal

For the most part it was two coats of paint, the red re-spray, primer and then some areas of the original LeMans blue. The blade took the paint to the red primer. I do think having the car in the hot sun for a few hours softened the paint, maybe, maybe not, but it was easy to do.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 paint removal

you say it took about 3 Hrs?
thats pretty good. Thanks

Optimistic thinking anyways..........I would plan on more than 3 hours Robert, be sure to pack a lunch as well.

[John L.]

Re: 63 paint removal

I needed to chime in on this thread since I am in the process of stripping my 1954. It has been repainted once since the factory with white acrylic laq over a grey primer of some sort. I wanted to avoid the stripper on the exterior body with the exception of the areas around the hood, doors, trunk etc since it has proven a little more of challange with the razer blade.
Would agree with trying the blade approach first. Surely over most of the car it was quick stripping down to the red factory primer and some areas down to the bare glass. Some areas though the grey primer was applied over the red factory primer and nearly impossible to remove - probably the last repaint they sanded the factory white down to the red primer and that is why. Anyways any of the paint at all that can be removed with the blade it was less messy and quick which will make up for those hard to hit areas where I am either sanding or limited stripper....Good luck and put on some good tunes to help pass the time. Gave me a lot of head time to make plans on the next steps ha.
John

[Patrick N.]

Re: 63 paint removal

Optimistic thinking anyways..........I would plan on more than 3 hours Robert, be sure to pack a lunch as well.

I can only speak from my experience of using the razor blade technique on my car- 2 hrs, and about 95% of the paint was removed. The details and primer- that's a different story, I'd add a dinner or two to the pack list

[Domenic T.]

Re: 63 paint removal

I did my 67 twice with blades 1971 & 1984 and sanded inside the lights each time. As said earlier once you get the feel it go's fast.
In the 60's we did a pearl job on a 65 coupe and it was stripped. the stripper leached its way thru the paint where there were cracks that were repaired after the stripper. SO if you strip take the advice and clean as described above.
Both blade jobs took over 8 hrs and sooore finger nails as I didn't always use a blade holder.

DOM

[Robert B.]

Re: 63 paint removal

So, it sounds like some people have good luck with the razor blade method. I imagine it could get labor intensive and I am guessing that it will take a day or two or threee ! I know of Corvette shop in CT. that said they prefer the razor blade method and they have been doing it a longggg time. Still would like to hear from any people that have experience with soda blast or whatever they use.There is a place in CT. that has done a lot of Corvettes. I am asking them for references tomorrow. Also I am still very apprehensive about taking the stainless trim off around the front window and the 2 back windows. Any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 paint removal

Bob, I did my 63 with razors.it took more like about 50/60 hrs. with 2 people. and it had 3 coats of paint, along with the original lacquer, urethane enamel on the car. I would say if your car is lacquer it will come of easier and faster, if it is urethane enamel it will take longer. The reason I like the razor is takes less sanding time and I was trying to keep edges sharp and crisp. orbital sanders will take a edge of in a heart beat. another ting is the razor may not take the cars original red primer off if your car has it, If you get the razor started under the red factory primer it will come of easier.