Removal of krylon paint

[Jon S.]

The previous owner of my 62 had told me that he had painted the underbody of the car with krylon 1613 when touching up the frame to make it look finished or more uniform. Those were his exact words. He was an older fellow who really repaired things, but never restored anything. I started to remove the paint one small area at a time with lacquer thinner and a scotch brite pad as recommend by other members on this board. I intend to switch to a #3 course steel wool when I get back to it since the scotch pad breaks down so easily. Recently while purchasing a part from the drive line, another member suggested a lift and media blasting. Has anyone used this method to remove paint from the underbody, or should I continue with the lacquer thinner? Any other suggestions? Naturally I don't want to harm the underbody in any way! Thanks in advance!
Best regards, Jon

[Dick W.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Although I a very strong advocate for media blasting, I do not believe that I would attempt to do the underbody. I would be very wary of the skills of the blaster. I would continue using the Scotchbrite pads even though that they do break down rather rapidly. The steew wool will leave steel strands in the glass and rust.

I have done what you are involved in. Except that I removed undercoating and Krylon paint. Slow, tedious job. Good luck.

[Dick W.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Although I a very strong advocate for media blasting, I do not believe that I would attempt to do the underbody. I would be very wary of the skills of the blaster. I would continue using the Scotchbrite pads even though that they do break down rather rapidly. The steew wool will leave steel strands in the glass and rust.

I have done what you are involved in. Except that I removed undercoating and Krylon paint. Slow, tedious job. Good luck.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Jon, if it were me, and the paint is a good solid coating as it apparently is, I would invest in some paint stripper. Use the stripper to take off the bulk of the paint, then use lacquer thinner to remove the final remnants. To finish off, I would wipe the underbody down thoroughly with soapy water and rinse well it well with the hose to neutralize any stripper that was left.

Washing paint off with lacquer thinner will be slow and tedious unless it's little more than overspray. The scotchbrite pads are a more resistant to paint stripper than lacquer thinner...they don't last long in lacquer thinner, but I dislike using steel wool on fiberglass, jmo. Natural fiberglass should have a slight shine to it; fiberglass that's been steel wooled will have a flat matte finish.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Jon, if it were me, and the paint is a good solid coating as it apparently is, I would invest in some paint stripper. Use the stripper to take off the bulk of the paint, then use lacquer thinner to remove the final remnants. To finish off, I would wipe the underbody down thoroughly with soapy water and rinse well it well with the hose to neutralize any stripper that was left.

Washing paint off with lacquer thinner will be slow and tedious unless it's little more than overspray. The scotchbrite pads are a more resistant to paint stripper than lacquer thinner...they don't last long in lacquer thinner, but I dislike using steel wool on fiberglass, jmo. Natural fiberglass should have a slight shine to it; fiberglass that's been steel wooled will have a flat matte finish.

[Steve G.]

Ugh, me too

Interesting thread... I think the #1 reason I do not have my car Flight judged is the undercoating the previous "restorers" did to the underside of my '63. I actually have 4 cans of "undercoat remover" I bought from Eastwood sitting in my garage with a couple of new paint scrapers, but I can't bring myself to do it....

[Steve G.]

Ugh, me too

Interesting thread... I think the #1 reason I do not have my car Flight judged is the undercoating the previous "restorers" did to the underside of my '63. I actually have 4 cans of "undercoat remover" I bought from Eastwood sitting in my garage with a couple of new paint scrapers, but I can't bring myself to do it....

[Jon S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Chuck, it is a solid coating. If I were to use a spray paint stripper from Wal- Mart, as both you and Jack H. have suggested, should I worry about anything in particular that runs on the underbody that needs to be protected and should I cover the edges with thick plastic to prevent any exterior body paint from being removed. Wish I knew someone with a lift that wouldn't mind. If not this job will be up close and personal using car ramps. Jack didn't think it would hurt the underbody to use the spray paint remover either. When its all said and done ,I assume I'll need to redo the frame and other components.
Thanks Chuck! Sure wish it were done.
Best regards, Jon

[Jon S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Chuck, it is a solid coating. If I were to use a spray paint stripper from Wal- Mart, as both you and Jack H. have suggested, should I worry about anything in particular that runs on the underbody that needs to be protected and should I cover the edges with thick plastic to prevent any exterior body paint from being removed. Wish I knew someone with a lift that wouldn't mind. If not this job will be up close and personal using car ramps. Jack didn't think it would hurt the underbody to use the spray paint remover either. When its all said and done ,I assume I'll need to redo the frame and other components.
Thanks Chuck! Sure wish it were done.
Best regards, Jon

[Chuck S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

YOU MEAN YOU'RE STILL USING LACQUER THINNER AFTER UNCLE JACK TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO!!!!

Only kidding. It sounds like you have a choice...you can either go the slow, tedious route with the lacquer thinner and work around the finish on the frame and suspension, or use paint stripper and plan on having to redo the frame, etc.

Frankly, I would not use spray stripper, but would buy a quart or two of stripper gel from Home Depot. You brush it on, it stays where you put it until you're ready to scrap it off (use a plastic scraper or bondo spreader). Work a 2-3 square foot area, don't leave the stripper on any longer than you find it takes to loosen the paint, and immediately wipe any remaining residue film off with lacquer thinner. Since you aren't going to paint the underbody fiberglass, any generic stripper suitable for fiberglass (read the label) should be OK...just don't leave it on any longer than necessary.

You will probably get some drips and splashes on your frame...it can't be helped. If the finish on the frame and suspension is in great shape and you want to keep it, you could try wrapping the frame and other parts with polyethylene to catch any splashes. You also need to mask the edge of the body with a polyethylene curtain to prevent any stripper from getting on your body color. Any painted surface you get the stripper on will be damaged.

I wouldn't worry about the lift if I were you. I would rather put it on jackstands (safety first!), and work on my back with my arms in "front", than have to stand all day with them over my head. A day of "arm presses" gets awful tiring.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

YOU MEAN YOU'RE STILL USING LACQUER THINNER AFTER UNCLE JACK TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO!!!!

Only kidding. It sounds like you have a choice...you can either go the slow, tedious route with the lacquer thinner and work around the finish on the frame and suspension, or use paint stripper and plan on having to redo the frame, etc.

Frankly, I would not use spray stripper, but would buy a quart or two of stripper gel from Home Depot. You brush it on, it stays where you put it until you're ready to scrap it off (use a plastic scraper or bondo spreader). Work a 2-3 square foot area, don't leave the stripper on any longer than you find it takes to loosen the paint, and immediately wipe any remaining residue film off with lacquer thinner. Since you aren't going to paint the underbody fiberglass, any generic stripper suitable for fiberglass (read the label) should be OK...just don't leave it on any longer than necessary.

You will probably get some drips and splashes on your frame...it can't be helped. If the finish on the frame and suspension is in great shape and you want to keep it, you could try wrapping the frame and other parts with polyethylene to catch any splashes. You also need to mask the edge of the body with a polyethylene curtain to prevent any stripper from getting on your body color. Any painted surface you get the stripper on will be damaged.

I wouldn't worry about the lift if I were you. I would rather put it on jackstands (safety first!), and work on my back with my arms in "front", than have to stand all day with them over my head. A day of "arm presses" gets awful tiring.

[Brian M.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Use Berkibile 2 + 2 Carberator spray. Removes paint and leaves a nice clean bare glass surface.

[Brian M.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Use Berkibile 2 + 2 Carberator spray. Removes paint and leaves a nice clean bare glass surface.

[Jon S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Brian, I suppose its not just a sray- on and wipe- off procedure. When you use the carb. cleaner do you wipe it down with lacquer thinner upon removing the paint or is there no need to? There just doesn't seem to be an easy fix.

Best regards, Jon

[Jon S.]

Re: Removal of krylon paint

Brian, I suppose its not just a sray- on and wipe- off procedure. When you use the carb. cleaner do you wipe it down with lacquer thinner upon removing the paint or is there no need to? There just doesn't seem to be an easy fix.

Best regards, Jon