Stripping Paint and Body Filler
After 40 plus years of paint, repaint, and who knows how many trips through the body shop for repairs, it’s time to strip that car or truck body down to bare metal and find out the real condition of what lies underneath. The following methods are ways to remove paint and/or body filler.
Chemical Stripper - There are several types on the market. They work well, are slow and messy, but certainly something you can do at home. You can also have your body dipped, just beware it’s often difficult to get all the chemical out of the tight spaces in the body like pinch welds, and any chemical residue can ruin a new paint job.
Razor Blade - Using a straight razor blade in a suitable tool or holder can often effectively remove many layers of paint and primer. Usually you’ll get to a layer that just wont come off easily, then it’s time to try something else.
Media Blasting - There are many types of media you can use; some abrasive and some non-abrasive.
- Non-Abrasive Media Blasting - Baking soda is a non-abrasive media which removes paint and body fillers, but not rust. It will leave a film that must be removed prior to painting, as well as a smooth finish that will need additional preparation for primers to stick. Example, epoxy primer likes an 80 grit finish to stick properly.
- Abrasive Media Blasting - This method is my personal favorite. Glass-based and/or mineral-based media not only strips away the paint, body fillers, and rust, but will also prepare the surface for proper adhesion of primers.