stripping fiberglass

danp76

Oldtimer
Hi guys, have you used fiberglass paint stripper for stripping several layers of paint off of fiberglass? I have some small boats for kids that have several layers of paint that need to be removed. It would take forever with 80 grit on an d/a...thoughts? thank you.
 
if you end up using chemstrip wash it really good with dawn and water . let it dry good . takes time for water to evap unless it is hot . then clean with solvent cleaner .
 
Thanks Shine, how well does the chemical stripper work on fiberglass? I’m concerned with heat guns that students will overheat the surface, causing more problems.
 
chemical strippers are a love/hate thing with me. you think sure it will be easiest to use that but then once you get into it it always turns out to be a huge mess and way more work that what you thought. unless there are alot of nooks and crannies that would have to be hand sanded then i found its always easiest to sand the stuff off with either an orbital or a mudhog, etc.
 
if i use chem strip i hang a piece of paper below the area so the mess drops off onto a piece of paper on the floor. do small sections at a time trying to keep the mess contained .
 
Lesson i'd expect at least 1 student to learn is what the tiniest bit of chem stripper feels like on skin! :)
 
Long time ago I worked for a commercial building paint contractor and I used Lacquer Thinner on a cleanup rag that I put in my back pocket.
That used to be a right of passage for a new helper, but we used W&G remover or enamel reducer. Probably get sued or locked up if you did it now:rolleyes: The chemical stripper, gun cleaner, carburetor cleaner, etc. all seem to be about half the strength they used to be. The old stuff would really light you up!
 
That used to be a right of passage for a new helper, but we used W&G remover or enamel reducer. Probably get sued or locked up if you did it now:rolleyes: The chemical stripper, gun cleaner, carburetor cleaner, etc. all seem to be about half the strength they used to be. The old stuff would really light you up!

Chemical stripper we used to use in the '90's would take your breath away if you caught a whiff of it. After a while that stuff would light your hands up even wearing 2 or 3 pairs of nitrile gloves. Felt like menthol on your hands. When I got it on my gonads that time I ran over to the water hose, dropped my pants and soaked em. Didn't care who saw me in the least. I had to get that stuff off there NOW!:p
 
i learned in the early 70's to be neat and clean with chemstrip. i've seen guys slop the stuff all over the car. into jambs and make just a god awful mess . keep it neat and you wont get it on you .
 
I have a fiberglass scoop to strip and have been looking for Chemstrip online and haven't found any good links. Is it Chemstrip or Kleen Strip that is sold at Home Depot?
thanks
 
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