Stripping a 66 Coupe

[Jim Klug]

What is the best way to strip the paint off of the body and door jams,Razor blade or stripper.

[Stephen Lavigne (7553)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

Razor blades "dry" would be a monumental task. I've used razor blades with a chemical stripper but there is the risk of gouging and upsetting the gelcoat if not extremely careful. Possibly using plastic putty knives and stripper to get the bulk of the car stripped and then going over the tough areas with a razor blade and stripper. Stripper designed/sold for automotive stripping works much better than those purchased at LOWES.
I've recently heard that "soda blasting" is a good stripping media used on metal without damage. You may want to inquire if it is suitable for fiberglass.
It would be a lot less work.

[Mike McCagh (14)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

i've used Captain Lee's paint stripper for near 20 years . it comes in gallon cans with a windex type spray bottle(the only negative aspect is the short lifespan of the spray pump, especially if the stripper was opened a couple months previously allowing crystals to form in the stripper. the crystals lead to pump failure. i usually run opened stripper thru a filter but it still shortens pump life if stripper exposed to atmosphere) anyway, spray the stripper on about 2 sq. ft at a time and let it melt the paint( time depends on ambient temp as well as paint type(lacquer easiest and quickest, urethanes slowest) I take a metal putty knife, round off the corners to help reduce likelihood of gouging fiberglass, and scrap the melted paint/stripper combo off car into waiting garbage can.Once i hit factory primer, i stop stripper/putty knife and switch to lacquer thinner with a scotch brite pad to get all or near all primer off. then let it sit a couple months before re-primering. you can spend this time repairing any fiberglass damage. the task ranks right up there with sorting polecats. good luck, mike

[Tracy Crisler (40411)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

I used the method and product described by #14. Yea it's kinda of a pain in the "A", but I'm too dang cheap to pay someone else to work on my baby.

Get a sheet of plastic on the floor and let the junk fall to the ground. Keep a bucket of lacquer thinner and some scotch brite pads handy and buy the best fitting (xxlarge) elbow length rubber gloves you can find.

Work at your own pace and try to think about how nice it will look when your all done.

And BTW, get this job done before the heat of summer sneaks up on you,,

good luck...
tc

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

I agree with the previous posts and that is how I did it. The glove comment reminded me that I went throught two boxes of the gloves shown in the attached link. I could not find anything that would handle the stripper very long.

It is a messy, dirty and boring - right up there with the block sanding that came later, but the new paint looks great.

Dave

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45042

[Mark #28455]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

I used the spray stripper with heavy duty blue rubber coated gloves (chemical proof) from the auto parts store and the gloves are still in good shape

[Jim Sears (40736)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

I have been stripping Corvettes since the very early 70's and agree with what Mike says. Only thing I would add is not to let the stripper drip, run or blob on bare glass for any lenght of time. It will show up later in the finish. Flush as soon as possible. I always use the plastic bondo spreaders as there is no way they will damage the glass. Also be sure to completely remove any old bondo or filler or it will also come back to haunt you.
The plastic gloves that Harbour Frieght sells are way to thin. They will disolve in almost any solvent. Use the heavy plastic gloves as mentioned in the previous thread.

[Jim Klug]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

I stripped a lot of old metal cars in my time, I had stripper so strong that the fumes could burn you don't you use a milder type with fiberglass.

[Tracy Crisler (40411)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

Capt'n Lee's is formulated for fiberglass. You can get it through Corvette Central, Ecklers or other supply houses.

tc

[Mike McCagh (14)]

Re: Stripping a 66 Coupe

tracy: fyi-- the last time i bought capt lee stripper, at carlisle, it was under 20 bucks per gal delivered if you bought 20 gals or more. mike