Editing Stripping paint

{{youcanedit}} Although it is possible to paint over old paint, you may choose to get rid of it. This might be because the paint is cracked or peeling, or that there are already too many layers of paint . ==Inspecting the panel before stripping== If the paint is still shiny, before getting rid of it, use it to your advantage to find waves and dents in the body. For example, here is an effective way to inspect a quarter panel for imperfections. Move the vehicle outside or to a bright area. Place yourself near the back door and look toward the rear of the car. Focus on the panel's reflection of the objects in the vicinity. Move your head up and down, left and right, scanning the panel's entire area. Mark areas that reveal an imperfection with a pen, and take pictures so you can remember to pay closer attention to them when doing body work. Repeat for every panel, door, hood, etc. ==Methods of stripping paint== ===Chemical=== There exist a few effective brands of chemicals for stripping paint from vehicles. However, this practice may be inappropriate for novices, as these strippers are messy unless you know a few basic techniques, acidic, and toxic.so wear gloves First, take the vehicle or part to be stripped to a well-ventilated area (outside is ideal). ''(Should a respirator be used? Some people are saying that makes it even worse.)'' These chemical strippers are more commonly used on hoods, roofs, and trunk lids as they need to be left alone after applying. some strippers would just run if put on a vertical panel, and thus would be somewhat ineffective.so find one with a viscosity of mayonase and use tar paper on floor where paint can fall,it makes cleanup much easier (Don't use chemical stripper on lacquer paint. It will run and make a big mess but there are ways around that like being ready to catch it with masking paper taped to the car and pushing the soupy paint onto the paper and pulling the paper off as you go and throwing it away. Lacquer paint can be stripped by soaking clean rags in lacquer thinner, applying them to the vehicle, and then leaving them there a while in a well-ventilated area.)covering the rags with plastic helps also and keeps the thinner from evaporating to quickly,then scrape the softened paint off with a razor scraper *Stripping a roof: Surrounding areas should be properly masked with several layers of tape and masking paper, as stripper will work its way through tape glue.just scrape the mess onto one layer of paper and pull it off the sheet underneth will be ready when its needed *Stripping a hood: Pop the hood and slip lengths of cardboard half a foot underneath it, all around the perimeterbut another good way is to put three layers of 3/4 masking tape over the gaps so the stripper doesnt get down into engine compartment..close the hood tightly *Stripping a trunk: Same as hood. Tie weight to the latch to keep the trunk from rising.or tape with the same three layers and close the deck tightly,the three layers of masking paper at the back edge of the deck and push the mess onto the paper then pull the layer off and throw in trash All areas besides the areas you want to strip should be properly masked or removed. Stripper could seep behind a molding and be problematic later. Stripper will damage plastic lenses. After paint has lifted, scoop it up with a putty knife or credit card, and discard the paint/stripper mixture into a cardboard box. Don't get any on your skin -- it burns. If you do, wash it off IMMEDIATELY with water. Once you've scooped up most of the mixture, wash off the rest with lauquer thinner and a red scuff pad. It will dilute the stripper and render it less volatile.then pull of the three layers of tape covering the gaps,the paint underneth will be softened up just scrape it up with a razor scraper Wipe underneath the hood or trunk before reaching under it. Stripper will surely have seeped there and leave you with a nasty surprise,f you dont seal the gaps with tape After the area has been washed off, wipe it dry with a clean cloth and wax & grease remover. Remove any remaining paint or primer with an orbital sander using 40 to 80 grit. See [[Stripping paint#Orbital sander|Orbital sander]] below.Always use gloves when working with bare metal,the oils in your hands will instantly start the rusting process,even under the primer ====Chemical paint strippers==== ''(list chemical paint strippers here, with links to sites)''aircraft stripper (blue can),XXX paint stripper(black can red x's ===Mechanical=== ====Razor blade scraper==== There are instances where using a 4" flooring razor blade scraper will be the quickest way to remove a layer of paint. However, if the paint has properly adhered to the primer, using the blade might not be possible. Once paint has been removed, you may want to remove the rest of primer and areas of paint that were not possible to remove with the blade . It will be best to start off with a used blade , if the ends of the blade are rounded {slightly}from use it will keep you from gouging the metal. You will have to pay attention to the way the body curves . Use two hands and steady amount of pressure & the paint will fly off in tiny little chips Keeping the proper angle to the surface is critical. It seems that if you try not to take too big of a bite & try to make "Big "C's" or curves lets the paint come off easier. You will need to use both sides of the blade by switching sides often. this keeps the blade from getting too dull to get under the paint. Keep in mind this method is only used for extremely thick /old paint that is peeling off to start with it will be very rare to used this method. Gloves ,Eye protection & a dust mask are mandatory. little slivers of paint will go everywhere. a shop vac while working is great for the clean up. [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/subscription.php?do=viewsubscription&folderid=all] --[[User:Slowride66|Slowride66]] 19:12, 9 May 2008 (PDT) (See [[Stripping paint#Orbital sander|Orbital sander]] below). You may find that a conventional razor blade holder is difficult to use for stripping paint. The flakes tend to bunch up between the blade and the tool. To solve this problem, us a regular vise grip to hold the razor blade. Turn the vise grip upside down for a less dramatic angle of attack. Too sharp an attack might cause the blade to catch, which could gouge the sheet metal. To lessen any further risk of gouging, run the blade backwards against old smooth paint 4-5 times. This will push up the burr and permit the blade's edge to glide much more easily. ====Homemade scraping tool==== Start with a stiff putty knife or drywall tool. Round the corners, then re-sharpen on a belt sander, then on a knife sharpening stone. Hold the knife with both hands, at a 90-degree angle to the surface. Start to scrape, and adjust the angle until you get the best results. ====Media blasting==== Media blasting (specifically '''sand''' blasting) is typically not recommended for stripping paint from body panels -- the impact of the media acts like tiny hammers, warping the panel. Nevertheless, sand blasting or bead (glass) blasting may be useful in some instances. See [[Media blasting]]. HOWEVER a new method of media blasting is now available, Soda Blasting. This method uses Baking Soda, and is very effective as it will not damage the glass, plastics, chrome and rubber on the vehicle when used properly. This means that a car can be stripped with all of the parts still attached (if you wanted). Another method of of blasting that can be useful is plastic media blasting it is cheaper than soda blasting and can be used in the same instances, but special care is needed. ====Orbital sander==== Always use a respirator when using sanding tools. Removing paint from a panel using a random orbit sander is the least messy way of stripping paint from large panel. Use 40 grit sandpaper for the quickest job. After sanding off all traces of paint and primer,sand the surface smooth with 80g on the random orbital sander to smooth out 40g sand scratches as they will show though the finish, remove dust with a blow gun and a clean cloth. Don't touch the metal with your skin; it will contaminate it. Immediately spray on etching primer to keep ambient moisture from contaminating the panel. Always wear a respirator when spraying etching primer. =====Orbital sander safety===== Prolonged use of orbital sanders can cause a condition known as "Vibration White Finger", or "Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome". For more details, see [[Health and Safety in the Shop or Garage#Vibration protection|Vibration protection]]. ====Wire Cup Brush==== A wire cup brush will take paint off rapidly, almost as fast as 40 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander, when the wheel is mounded on an angle grinder. The wire wheel will not scratch the metal as deeply as the sandpaper, making prepping for primer a bit easier. Wire cup brushes come in two basic types - with kinked wires, and with twisted (or knotted) wires. Although it seems like the twisted wire would be faster, as it is more agressive, the kinked wire actually will strip faster, as it is more flexible and can make contact with a larger area of the panel with every pass of the tool. Wires will come loose and fly off the wheel during use. It is recommended to wear a face shield and thick clothing when working with one to avoid injury. ===Other methods=== If the paint is brittle when you chip it off, it could be acrylic urethane. If so, try using a heat gun. You might be able to peel the paint off after applying a little heat. ==Methods of NOT stripping paint== Using an angle grinder is not a recommended way of getting rid of paint. The grit is too coarse and will damage the metal and would require some type of body filler: extra work you really don't want or need to get into. [[Category:Body and exterior]] But it '''is''' '''recommended''' to use a wire wheel(knotted or crimped) on an angle grinder. I have used this exclusively for stripping four layers of paint off my 57 Chevy Pick up.

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