PDA

View Full Version : How to remove paint over fiberglass?



Jammer369
09-07-2009, 06:43 PM
My brother just bought a 1969 complete Meyers Manx dune buggy that is in rough shape. He is going to restore it to it's original look. Somewhere in it's history, someone decided to spray a single stage black paint job on top of the gold metalflake gel coat finish. The black is peeling in some places revealing the beautiful gel coat underneath. Where the paint has peeled, it revealed a somewhat glossy finish underneath. He was going to just have it painted to match the original color but I had a suspicion that if he could get the black off, he could probably salvage the gel coat and be happier with the original finish. He is not in any way a detailer and would probably have to have it done by a shop but I wanted to get your take on what could be done. I was guessing that wet sanding could take all if not a majority of the black off and then a serious multistage detail to get the gel coat as good as it can be. Is this possible? I did not have a camera when I visited him in the Dallas this weekend or I would have posted some pics.

Mike Phillips
10-29-2010, 04:14 PM
Visit a PBE store and talk to the Paint Mixer, he might have some suggestions that will remove the paint without harming the underlying gel-coat.

Maybe pressure washing?

Any chemical strong enough to dissolve paint will usually be strong enough to dissolve or at least mess up polyester resin which is what the Manx body will be made out of...


Maybe check with Motsenbockers?


of Motsenbocker's LIFT OFF 4

http://www.liftoffinc.com/images/wizard.gif
MOTSENBOCKER'S LIFT OFF 4 (http://www.liftoffinc.com/product-graffiti-remover.php)


They make a number of different products for removing paint without disturbing what's underneath.


:)