Paint stripper
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 141
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From: North East
Paint stripper
When preping metal for repair, can you use a paint stripper to remove the area to be worked on instead of sanding it all. It would be alot less messy, I am just wondering if it would have any adverse effects on the surface to be painted.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
Personally, I don't use chemical stripper. My concern is not being able to remove all the chemical, which could affect the new paint.
For spot repairs, I sand with 80 grit, blend with 220, and then do my paint repairs. For complete panels, I strip with 32 grit on a DA sander, and then I finish with 80 grit.
Personally, I don't use chemical stripper. My concern is not being able to remove all the chemical, which could affect the new paint.
For spot repairs, I sand with 80 grit, blend with 220, and then do my paint repairs. For complete panels, I strip with 32 grit on a DA sander, and then I finish with 80 grit.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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Also the one time I tried using paint stripper on a car it was anything but less messy. It was a different kind of mess (no dust) but it was a large mess just the same.
Once I got down to the final layers most of the metal was bare but there was still a lot of sanding to do to remove all of it.
Once I got down to the final layers most of the metal was bare but there was still a lot of sanding to do to remove all of it.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 118
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From: South Shore, MA
If you have a good DA then you shouldn't have a tough time sanding. I like the strippers on certain areas, basically a panel removed from the truck already. Its not difficult to remove the residue and if you prep the panel properly you will get it all off. Its just gooey and is not good for your skin or your lungs. It is definitely faster than sanding. If you have a dent on the car and are straightening it then sand it down.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
Sandblasting is the easy way out but....
If you use the standard home, hand-held sandblaster, its faster to sand instead.
There is also the danger of warping if the person doing your work isn't skilled and knowledgeable. The last car (and it will be my last) I had sandblasted, suffered damage. The operator of the sandblaster was skilled and used a mix of walnut shells/soda. The hood was damaged during the process and needed to be replaced.
Then there is the mess issue. For months, soda and walnut shells appeared out of nowhere. Of course, this wouldn't be a concern if your were doing a single panel removed from the body.
Sandblasting is the easy way out but....
If you use the standard home, hand-held sandblaster, its faster to sand instead.
There is also the danger of warping if the person doing your work isn't skilled and knowledgeable. The last car (and it will be my last) I had sandblasted, suffered damage. The operator of the sandblaster was skilled and used a mix of walnut shells/soda. The hood was damaged during the process and needed to be replaced.
Then there is the mess issue. For months, soda and walnut shells appeared out of nowhere. Of course, this wouldn't be a concern if your were doing a single panel removed from the body.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 118
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From: South Shore, MA
Just sand it w/ a DA. Sandblasting is good when the metal has pitted and you want to remove rust. For general purpose stripping you are more likely gonna cause more damage. Most people when sandblasting don't realize how hot the metal gets when blasting it and warp it.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Home
use break fluid, that will peal off paint. My buddy works at a small town body shop and they use that to strip areas, might take a few minutes to work on old paint, but on new paint it will pealitright down in no time