Paint Stripping

What's everyone using to strip paint? Finally got back to my Commando build and need to get the 6 layers of old paint off.

 

Paint stripper, DA sander with 50 grit, hire local soda blaster, all possible options.
-Donny

 

I stripped my entire jeep once using fine wire cup brush wheels on 4.5" and 7" angle grinders. Just recently I stripped the transmission tunnel cover the same way and used some water based chemical stripper for the nooks and crannies.

 

I have had three vehicles stripped by media blasting company using walnut shell. I would do this again for a entire car. For small parts I use a blast cabinet or wire wheel works just fine.Frame I have used sand blaster or wire wheel. Remember to treat bare metal surface with chemical wash such as metal ready by POR-15. Eastwood also has a zinc phosphate wash as well.

 

I took off all the old paint with a razor scraper . then sanded it smooth
can't stand the chemical smell yes it takes a little longer to do
they make flap wheels that wont clog up removing paint

 

Yeah, I hate the chemical strippers also. I've been using 40 grit on my DA and a 24 grit paint and rust pads on the 4 1/2 grinder. Slow progress but it's working, thought there might be something out there better. There are at least 6 coats on the exterior with a couple I think they brushed on.

 

I've used Citrus Strip with pretty good success. Might take a while for six layers. No where near as nasty and harsh as the heavy duty chemical strippers. Smells like oranges and eat the flesh off your bones. Proper safety precautions are still recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Citri-Strip-...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699137350&psc=1

 

careful blasting sheetmetal it can stretch badly if not done properly.

 

I used MEK and blow it down to bare metal using a pressure washer. EASY and FAST. Thats how we used to strip aircraft for paint back in the early 90's.

 

Great and you have experience. You are hired when I get ready, I'll give you a call.

 

Harbor Freight sells a wheel for a 4 1/2 in grinder that removes paint very well.

4-1/2 in. Polycarbide Abrasive Wheel

 

MEK is being phased out and not available for non commercial use in most places. Its also almost as bad as methylene chloride, which is what strips paint.

 

The factory I used to work at used it to melt/form the plastic T-molding on the edges of desktops. When the guys I worked with had cuts on their hands, they would have competitions to see who could hold their hand in it, enduring the stinging and burning longest.

 

I second the wire wheels and angle grinder. Eat through rust, paint, bondo, and flesh when careless.

 

I noticed that everything in the store now says something like MEK substitute. When did real MEK get phased out?
(See second line in signature, rofl)

 

Let me fix that for you,,

,,,know to the state of Cancer to cause California

 

Don't know when it got phased out, but even in the late 90s when I worked in Washington State, it was more difficult to get. We actually had a distiller to reclaim all the old solvents to reuse as gun and general cleaner.

The stuff is bad for you. MEK substitute is no good really.

 

A place by me, International Stripping, does a great job of stripping for a fair price. They do a truck cab for around $400.00. I have had them do my hood it came back looking like a new unpainted original hood. I had them E-Coat it so the inside would be painted where you can't spray paint, that was expensive though. It is not that far from Finger Lakes to Detroit. Good Luck.