How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

[Jimmie J.]

I have a 64 vette and am trying to strip the old paint. I was told by one body man that the stripper will hurt the fiberglass and the paint will peel in a couple of years. What do you recommend?

[Terry D.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

That you search the archives, there are lots of threads on this subject

[Michael D.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

I used Cap'n Lee's Auto Spray Strip on my 68 without problems.

[Bruce B.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

A DA (orbital sander) with 80 grit paper works fine.
Just take your time and be easy on the edges.

[Tom A.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

Captain Lee's is a good choice. It is designed for use with fiberglass. Follow the directions closely and you will come out with very nice clean fiberglass. It is also water soluble so clean up is easy leaving no solvents in the fiberglass. I have been using it for over 25 years regularly with no harmful effects at all. It won't attack the resins like many stippers and won't change the surface shape or texture like mechanical methods will.

[Dan D.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

Captain Lee's is now called Spra-Strip. Should be available locally. Google on it - it will come up. Do not use any of the common wood strippers found in big box and hardware stores. As Terry says, archives - plenty of info. -Dan-

[John L.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

I have used Captian Lee's with no problem - but as other will advise - tackle a small area at at time 2' x 2' was enough for me. Dont let it dry while it is working otherwise it is a bear to get off. I covered the area with foil to keep the solvents in so they can do their work. It may take two coats depending on the thickness of the old paint. Dont rush the process but let the stripper to the work. Being too anxious with a scraper can leave gouges (dont ask me how I know).
wash the surface well when you are finished and I did a final wipe down with thinner but others will shy away from this due to the hazard.

Klean-Strip Fiberglass Paint Stripper has been recently recommended to me by shop who has completed a number of c-1 corvettes with not paint issues. Seems easy to use also so I am going to give it a try this summer on the body of my 54. Maybe others have input on both products.
Good Luck!
John

[Paul J.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

Captain Lee's is now called Spra-Strip. Should be available locally. Google on it - it will come up. Do not use any of the common wood strippers found in big box and hardware stores. As Terry says, archives - plenty of info. -Dan-

I live in an area of around 1 million people and I can buy just about everything locally except for Captain Lee's Auto Spa'-Strip. I bought mine from Halon Marketing.

http://www.halonmarketing.com/mall/Spra'%20Strip.php

http://www.auto-ease.com/cgi/ppcart.pl?details&metal&1176655934&cleaners

http://www.keenparts.com/pages/detai...95013&year=ALL

[John H.]

Re: How to remove paint from fiberglass without hurting it?

Thanks for the links Paul.