Original lacquer paint strip

RosharonRooster

RosharonRooster

Promoted Users
Within the next few weeks here I'm going to start stripping some panels and get them in epoxy. Some panels are original 60yr old lacquer paint without rust. Some panels have "patina" but don't need any patch panels. What would be the best way to get these down to metal?. 80 grit DA? Lacquer thinner and red pad by hand? Media blast?. I'm open to options , I want longevity in this paint job.
 
When I was a starting out I was assigned an 83 Caprice that needed the hood, roof, and trunk lid stripped. I figured I'd be smart and put some stripper on it and then go to lunch. Much to my chagrin when I got back I saw that the lacquer had liquefied and run down the front.rear. and sides, stripping the paint as it went down. :eek: To make matters worse the running lacquer/stripper combo had melted the tail lights!
A bunch of old guys worked at this Shop and they were all having a good laugh when I came upon the car. I was 20 and had no idea that stripper would do that to lacquer. :oops: Thankfully I didn't get fired. My mentor actually let me paint the car, it was my first on the job overall, Only cost me the money for two used tail lights. So I learned the hard way not to use stripper on lacquer.:)
 
I have question hopefully pertinent to this discussion.

When using heat to strip paint on a hood or trunk, are there any worries about delaminating the anti flutter compound/glue between the skin and inner structure?

Sorry for the threadjack.
 
I've been stripping my lacquer paint via razor blade and heat gun. It was the cleanest method vs media blasting or paint stripper. Just don't over do it with the heat, you could warp panels. Once the paint is removed, I then go over the panel with an abrasive disk to clean it up for an 80 grit DA scratch.

Here's the abrasive disks I use. Cheap but effective https://www.harborfreight.com/power...wheels/4-inch-nylon-abrasive-wheel-94016.html
 
Klleetrucking said:
I have question hopefully pertinent to this discussion.

When using heat to strip paint on a hood or trunk, are there any worries about delaminating the anti flutter compound/glue between the skin and inner structure?

Sorry for the threadjack.
Click to expand...
Not if using a heat gun. You aren't trying to bake cookies, just get the paint warm enough so that it releases.
 
Razor blade and heat gun stripping
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Panel stripped ready for abrasive disk
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Abrasive disk making ready for 80 grit DA
20210705_162431.jpg


80 grit DA sanded reading for epoxy
20210705_165431.jpg


Epoxy applied
20210711_184954.jpg
 
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learn to control the heat .
 

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That is the way to strip a car!! Wow I wish I could get huge chucks of paint to come off in one piece.

That's with a heat gun and fingers pulling off the paint? No razor blade?
Post more tips if you can.
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i use plastic and metal blades . you have to warm the panel evenly to get it to peel . too much heat will melt the paint into the surface .
WEAR COTTON JERSEY GLOVES !!!!!!!!! or you will cook the meat on your fingers . learn to point the heat gun away . i have a paper machine i hang it on . the thicker the paint the bigger the pieces will be. old lacquer does not tend to come off in sheets because it is thin .
i have to repaint the 56 chevy so i dont want to tear up the surface getting the paint off .
go slow and take your time . it beats sanding jambs and such .
 
This place is a gold mine!
Thanks Shine for those details as I have never seen anyone who could pull huge chunks of paint off like that with zero damage to the surface.
Especially those dang door jams that just consume hours on end if you let them.
Very impressive!
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