TheSamba.com :: View topic - Removing aftermarket paint to get OG paint

Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:42 pm

Update, 4/14/12: Did some more primer paint removal today. Sadly, there's not as much good factory paint underneath all the gray primer as I had hoped. Apparently the guy who had this Bug before me in 1990 went crazy sanding down the original paint, especially on the front hood. I'm disappointed and I want to keep forging ahead, but I don't know if it's worth it. It's a shame, because where there is good paint, like on the front fender, it looks great and still polishes up to a shine.

The graffiti remover spray works well. It softens up the primer enough to scrub it with an old toothbrush then wipe it off with rags. I tried scraping with an old credit card (finally a GOOD use for those) but the card was scraping off some of the factory paint with it. The toothbrushes were more gentle.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:53 pm

Nearly finished stripping the bus back to original L345 paint now. It's taken almost 9 months and hundreds of hours work but I've got 65 - 70% original paint and all original panels so I'm more than happy with the result. Just got the door tops to do and a couple of small patches to blend in.

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How it looked when I first got it.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:10 am

Decided to take a stab at my 61 that i just picked up. The dash was covered in brown paint, over the original pastel blue. I took some goof off aerosol graffiti remover and sprayed it and the paint basically fell right off after a few minutes. Sweet! The outside is proving to be a bit more difficult. My method right now is an oven cleaner bath that i am letting sit for about 15 minutes then a steel wool scrub. Followed by lift off graffiti remover on a scotch brite pad. This step is long but i feel it works well in the fact that the og paint pretty much stays un touched. I am happy with the results so far, although there are a few areas full of bondo that i am going to try and feather in with some custom mixed rattle-cans. This is definitely a time consuming precess but the results are going to be great! The plan is to color sand and buff out the finish once i am done. I will update as i make progress.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:28 pm

For anyone in the UK this paint stripper still works :wink:

http://www.autopaintsbrighton.co.uk/starchem-paint-stripper-5l-2598-p.asp

Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:29 pm

6voltbus that is stunning im mad jealous :twisted: :D

Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:02 pm

6voltbus wrote: Nearly finished stripping the bus back to original L345 paint now. It's taken almost 9 months and hundreds of hours work but I've got 65 - 70% original paint and all original panels so I'm more than happy with the result.

WOW! =D>

Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:36 pm

Thanks for the compliments :) it's been an epic project that I sometimes thought would never end. I had no idea what I'd find under the old paint but I guess I was lucky with most of it. Just started rebuilding the door tops then I'm really looking forward to getting out in it again.

Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:32 am

6voltbus wrote: Nearly finished stripping the bus back to original L345 paint now. It's taken almost 9 months and hundreds of hours work but I've got 65 - 70% original paint and all original panels so I'm more than happy with the result. Just got the door tops to do and a couple of small patches to blend in.

Truly,one of my best inspirations! I also have L345 original paint with a bogus looking attempt at Dove Blue reshoot. Just freak'n beautiful man!!! Beginning the task today...pics to follow as I progress.

Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:38 am

a little disheartening,but its too late to stop now...

Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:51 am

I used this little gem. The original paint was protected from any potential scratches from my mini-clever,by the primer between coats and i only used the top/squared edge to pop the blue paint right- off.I then sprayed the primered surface with oven cleaner and scrubbed with a firm bristled nylon brush. The top curve of the clever is good for the recesses

Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:05 pm

Hi Thomas, hopefully you'll find some decent areas of paint - I was lucky that I started on the front which was mostly all good original paint. Mine had been sanded back a little but someone had got a little carried away with bondo on every little dent. It was this thread that inspired me to do mine - good luck with yours.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:50 pm

heres my latest progress,slowly getting there :D

Mon May 07, 2012 8:12 am

I just started this on my 63. But the question I see right away is how r u guys getting at the inside the engine vents on a bug to strip the paint there?

Thanks!

Tue May 08, 2012 9:02 pm

Just getting going on my bus. This thread is a real inspiration.

Before:

After:

You can follow at this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...highlight=

Wed May 09, 2012 8:59 am

What do you guys do with any parts where it burns through to the metal? Just touch up paint, or roll with it. If so how do you prevent rust there?

Thu May 10, 2012 7:24 pm

odecom5 wrote: What do you guys do with any parts where it burns through to the metal? Just touch up paint, or roll with it. If so how do you prevent rust there?
I'd like to know that too. I'm into a removal n have a bunch of metal exposed.

Thu May 10, 2012 7:30 pm

Right now,I just wax the shit out of it.
Its dry weather now,but ill need to atleast apply burned linseed oil during the wet months.

Tue May 15, 2012 6:58 pm

After two weeks of scraping/spraying EZ-OFF.
Looks like I'm roll'n with the L-345/Desert Camo look for a while...

Still better than that Jacked-Up Blue!

Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:05 pm

slowly mine is coming along. 8-10 hours into it, i'd say i'm a little more than half done. the roof will be the death of me...

Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:33 pm

What about xylene? Has anyone tried it? I used it today and it works good however i still have a long way to get the pink paint off to get to og color savannah beige.