Spare tire tub stripping

[Jeff P.]

[James W.]

[Robert D.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

I agree laquer thinner works great sometimes just on a towel. obviously keep the place well ventillated and a respirator would help

[Russ S.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

I agree on using lacquer thinner. I have used paint remover with poor results. It lifted the F/G strands badly. If you do use stripper, make sure it is safe for F/G.

[Frank D.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

I used stripper but only let it sit for a minute then removed it and rinsed the area....took several iterations. Lacquer thinner might have been a bit less aggressive but it would have taken me a long time as somebody had painted the entire 63 tub with several layers of barbecue grill black for some reason.

[Jeff P.]

[Dan H.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

Jeff, I also sprayed the tub with satin clear coat paint to seal the fiberglass, gives it a nice look and will stay clean.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

Dan,the magic question. How did it do in judging ? Thank you for the advise.

[Dan H.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

DUNTOV at San Jose 2009

[Jim D.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

The forum here mostly says Klean strip for fiberglass.

I've used it to strip whole cars and never had a problem with it. For the tub on my latest project, I removed the metal brace, stripped the tub with Klean Strip, shot it with satin clear like Dan did, glass beaded and repainted the metal brace and then re-riveted back on. It probably looks better now than when it was new.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

Thank you Jim.

[James W.]

[Don L.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

FWIW, I restored the tub on my '72 convertible approx 9 years ago with excellent results. Reading some of the above posts and the warning about paint stripper and fiberglass, perhaps I got lucky.

I first drilled out the aluminum rivets so that the brace separated from the fiberglass tub. I stripped the brace and the tub with gel paint stripper, applying a couple/few applications. After that, I used copius amounts of lacquer thinner and fine steel wool to get all the paint off the tub. I then fine sanded the tub and the brace till they were smooth.

I painted the brace with SEM Trim Black spray bomb. I sprayed a thin coat of clear satin Krylon on the tub. Finally, I reassembled the brace to the tub, using the proper rivets and bucking process. I've had the car judged twice since, including once at the national level. No deducts either time. See photo of finished tub below. BTW, there were NO issues with damage to the fiberglass when using the stripper I used. I didn't let it sit any longer than the instructions directed me to let sit.

Hope this helps.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

Perfect Don. Thank you.

[Don L.]

Re: Spare tire tub stripping

One more point, Jeff. When working on the tub, look for the Rockwell manufacturers decal. This is a rectangular blue and white sticker, located randomly on most tubs.

Because if it weren't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck, my decal was perfectly located underneath one of the brace legs. I was careful not to disturb the decal, but because of its location, mine's not visible when the brace is assembled to the tub. If I'd have thought to take a photo of the decal when I had the assembly apart, I'd share it here. Sorry. Perhaps others have a photo of this decal?