How Do I Remove Flat Rattle Can Paint

[rechinca]

The truck I purchased last week has an issue. Someone thought it would be cool to cover all the original orange paint with flat black rattle can paint. And not in a good way. At least the original moldings were covered and not touched. So I am looking for ideas or thoughts on how it may be possible to remove it while hopefully keeping the original paint or patina intact. Any help would be appreciated.

[Perpendicular]

Rattle can paint - I have had luck with acetone removing it from on top of good paint. Try it on a small unnoticeable spot first!

-Paul

[FleetsidePaul]

I used Easy Off oven cleaner. Worked for me.

[72LB]

I second the easy off, works pretty good.

[rechinca]

Holy crap I never even thought about Easy-Off! I used it on my 80 Trans Am’s subframe before I sent it off for powder coating it and the control arms to kill off the inch thick crap from a PS pump leaking for years. Worked like a champ, but it took me down to bare metal in a lot of places. I will experiment with it this weekend. Great tip and thanks!

[leddzepp]

Lacquer thinner, use carefully and you won’t damage the original paint underneath. I used it on a pair of doors that were rattle canned flat black, and the original medium olive paint underneath was preserved.

[Steeveedee]

The original paint is lacquer. I'd expect acetone and lacquer thinner to get right down on the original paint, myself. Were it mine, I'd wet sand it with 1000 grit paper. EZ-Off is going to etch the aluminum trim, if you get it on there. You guys must have drawers full of lucky rabbit's feet, getting away with this kind of stuff on the paint!

[leddzepp]

That’s why I said “use carefully”. Any doubts, just ask Jocko...he bought one of the doors from me Another member (can’t remember his name) bought the other for his original paint K20.

[rjs53]

I have a truck in the same shape, I think I'll try the easy off trick. Glad I read this post.

[towbar]

EZ off...works great. Keep it off aluminum as advised earlier

[special-K]

I also have always used lacquer thinner. Not much worry in dissolving 45-50 year old paint. I've put paint stripper on a fender that had a repaint and it took that off w/o touching the OEM paint

[jocko]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

That’s why I said “use carefully”. Any doubts, just ask Jocko...he bought one of the doors from me Another member (can’t remember his name) bought the other for his original paint K20.

HeY! You never told me it was rattle canned black before! Ha. It was a nice door. Indeed made its way onto a med olive truck. Thanks again!

I think I'd try thinner too before anything else. Work in an inconspicuous area first to figure out how much thinner and how much elbow grease.

[rjs53]

Tried the EZ Off today, It works great! Sprayed it on left for a few minutes then used a bondo spreader to remove it. The original paint stayed where the primer didn't. After I was done, I took a wash mit and a bucket of soapy water and washed the rest off.

[rechinca]

Haven’t had the chance to work on it, but this is what I am facing.

[notsolo]

Start with a small area on the bed, stick to just 1 panel. Tape off the aluminum as suggested, finish the whole bed then work on the cab same way. Looks like a nice solid truck.

[rjs53]

Actually don’t need to scrap it off, you can wash it off if you don’t mind the mess. I did one side of the truck, bed, cab and fender in about 30 minutes. Greatest thing since sliced bread to remove primer. You

[rechinca]

I may start on my rockers as they need to be replaced as well as one cab corner. If I screw them up, no harm no foul. But thanks for the continued replies. With the boy heard to college in two weeks to report early for football I am jambed with last minute details but I have 3 weeks after that to start work before the first games. I keep updating as it goes.