Best way to strip paint....

[Derrickbwg]

I'm trying to determine the pro' and cons of three different methods of stripping my truck down for primer and some body work. Sandblasting, soda blasting, and the process in this link(very very time consuming):http://www.autobodystore.com/strip_&_paint.htm.
Any thoughts on what each should cost, also I'm changing color completely from bright red to silver. Is it possible to strip it by hand like in the link without having to use a sandblaster(ie, corners, bed floor, under rails)? any thoughts are appreciated!

[Putter]

Originally Posted by Derrickbwg

I'm trying to determine the pro' and cons of three different methods of stripping.... Is it possible to strip it by hand?

Try giving it a few drinks and it may just STRIP ITSELF!!!!

[67ChevyRedneck]

"Best way to strip paint..." PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT

But seriously, I like to use a DA sander (you can get em at wally world for like 12 bucks) hooked up to a compressor. I also purchased a cheap sandblaster for areas that are too rusty or difficult to get with the DA (I think 35 bucks at sears??). Stripping the truck with a DA will only cost you in sand paper (unless you don't have an air compressor). I think I bought my disk paper at lowes and it was pretty reasonable.

[Derrickbwg]

Since my thread got moved to "body and paint" Siberia(not sure why when there are three threads on page 1 in the general forum about paint and body work ) I thought I would ask again for any info and see if 4 or 5 more people might see it.

"Best way to strip paint..." PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT

lol...If I wasn't trying to keep expenses low so I don't end up with $20,000 in a truck worth $8,000!

Thanks

[cdowns]

my personal choice has been sandblasting// i bought a pressurized blast unit about 30years ago have never warped a panel and had evcellent results have saved many thousands of dollars over the years//down side is it's very messy to do at home and you can't do it without BIG AIR but when setup with a good method of containing the sand for recycle use it's very cheap to use

[Derrickbwg]

How do you contain the media? I have a small garage That I can setup, what are the minimums that you need to be efficient and relatively clean? I was thinking about using plastic to make a small booth and line the bottom of the walls with a plywood frame as a splash shield but I don't have an idea on how to best reclaim the media? Will the plastic type spray booth be enough to conatin the sandblaster? I'm realizing that I need a big comptressor regardless, I've been looking everywhere for a used big one at a reasonable price...maybe I'll get lucky.

[cdowns]

in my driveway i set up a 3 sided box os 3'X8' pieces of plywood propped up by sawhorses put things on the cement and blast away if it's just panels or frame stuff some thing like a bed or cab i'll streach out tarps between step ladders to do it although it's a crude temporary deal it's effective for reclaiming about 80% of the spray then i'll just sweep it up and sift it to reuse//// i wouldn't do it inside a closed building without a freashair respirator system, you MUST use a good respirator and full coverage clothing to protect your health cause there are serious long term issues if not done safely

[70c10swb]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

"Best way to strip paint..." PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT

But seriously, I like to use a DA sander (you can get em at wally world for like 12 bucks) hooked up to a compressor. I also purchased a cheap sandblaster for areas that are too rusty or difficult to get with the DA (I think 35 bucks at sears??). Stripping the truck with a DA will only cost you in sand paper (unless you don't have an air compressor). I think I bought my disk paper at lowes and it was pretty reasonable.

how much cfm do the DAs use? im not sure my compressor is up to the task (6hp 33 gal 8.6 cfm@90psi) How are the eletric DA?

[BowTieMan]

I striped my blazer to bare metal with a DA and some cemical striper. They both worked great.

[weasel29gm]

Did mine with a DA and 80 grit paper. Worked good and cheap. At the time used a 6hp 30 gal a/c. Take time and don't hurry.

[mastercraftkpk]

Go to Lowes and get the Porter ELECTRIC DA. It is one of the best tools that I have bought in the past 10 years. I think that it is about $100.

W/ electric, you don't need to wait on your compressor, and you don't have the air hose (you do have the cord, but it is less in the way).

Even with my larger compressor, I find that I use the electric DA most of the time.

[62low]

kleanstrip aircraft stripper...brush on and wait like 20 then take a putty knife to it...paint gone...

[ureckme]

I had to do a lot of body work, so I used a DA with 40grit. Matt

[squizzleboy]

when you use some of the chemical strippers, what do you have to do to prevent paint faliure?

[ureckme]

Your best bet is to have some one look at it. Some times it's better to leave the paint on, and other times not. Have some one who knows look at it. Matt

[72C10chevy4x4]

I second the DA-pretty sure I used a 60 grit. may be best to buy a couple of different size papers-hit w/ a 36/40 grit to take off the surface then switch to a 60/80 to finish. with the 36/40, I ended up with some deep scratches in the metal.

I also used a sandblaster (pressurized version) in the driveway. spread out a lot of plastic-enough to overlap the spray area by 10 feet, and work in this manner. its quite a job and is messy. if possible, 'choose' a less humid day with cooler temperature. once the compressor has been working for awhile, the air temp gets rather hot and there is more condensation in the line. condensation and sand don't mix well-it really slows progress when I've got to depressurize the blasting pot and get clogged sand/particles out. I typcially do nott reuse sand with a pressurized blaster-the larger stuff gets clogged and you'll have to depressurize as previously noted. if you don't want to strip the interior, try to tape it off REALLY well, otherwise you'll get sand everywhere.

[62low]

with kleen strip its water sol. so all you would need to do to prevent paint failure is wash it off really good and then dry it so it doesnt rust...

[72CSTC5]

Chemical strip it and do one panel at a time and wash thoroughly.

[BigMike]

I am fighting the dilemma myself...My truck has some thick a$$ laquer over the factory (why ) paint. I personally have stripped 20+ cars in my 26 yrs working with cars/trucks. More than half have been with aircraft stripper which I personally HATE. It is way too messy for me, plus I am in a very small area right now so it is really not an option. I had 5 blasted, which I personally did twice...again, too messy for my current situation.

I am going with the 7" & 4 1/2" stripping disks through Eastwood (and I will probably get the hook setup like above). I have already stripped the firewall and door jams, next probably the hood and fenders.

Just my .02 for what it's worth

Mike

[BigMike]

Well, I decided against spending $135 at Eastwood. I went to my local paint store and got a 8" & 6" pads and 80 grit paper. We stripped both doors, both bed sides and roof on Saturday...it went pretty quick. I will now hit those spots with a DA (now that I have a bigger compressor). I already hit the passenger bed side with the DA, I still need to do the rest.





Mike

[70c10swb]

looks good

let me see if i can get this right. did you strip that all by hand or did you use a machine?

[BigMike]

All of it was done by hand...ya right

I used a modified (now dead) craftsman polisher and an electric drill. I USED to have all the cool grinders and such about 10 years ago when I did it for a living, but after a robbery 9 years back, I have limited tools. I need to find a good variable speed 8" grinder.

I do have a DA that I recently bought, but only a 3hp compressor. I am borrowing a buddies 5hp till I'm done stripping and primming.

Mike

[70c10swb]

gottcha

[junkyarddog1956]

I like to strip the hard to get to areas and the parts with rigid crowns with a sand blaster , then dry strip the rest with a 8" da with 36 grit , then prime all bare metal with PPG 1791 self etch wash primer ..... Soda blasting is a pain, because you have to wash the metal with white vinegar to neutralize the soda , chemical strippers are hard to get out of the cracks . Whatever way you choose is just plain old hard work .... Joe

[Smokin72on20s]

what is a DA? is there any regulations on using chemical stripper? where could you buy aircraft grade stripper?