Angle grinder and stripping paint

[Sofia74]

I am starting to strip paint and realized my single speed angle grinder is not going to cut it. Almost dangerous using stripping disks - too fast, too powerful. I think the answer is a variable speed angle grinder so i can slow the speed down. But before I go buy and try I wanted to ask what others use to mechanically remove paint. Variable speed angle grinder?

Additional info: (Having never done this) my plan is to do this in phases starting with doors. Phase 1 is a gentler more environmentally friendly stripper to get the most off. Phase 2 would be the grinder. Lastly I'll use a nastier chemical to get the remaining paint in the hard to reach places. Thats the plan.

Thanks,
Matt

[anthracitedub]

I would ditch the idea of using such harsh methods to remove paint... You'll likely gouge the metal and create low/thin areas.

Use the brush on aircraft chemical paint stripper and a putty knife... Brush the panel and let it react, then watch the paint peel off...

It can take a few cycles of recoat/scrape... But the results are better.

Once you have it mostly stripped, break out a little DA sander to finish/clean the surface.

I just did a hood and it turned out really nice. You'll save some time and use of body filler with chem strip method.

[Sofia74]

I have aircraft paint remover. Thats my phase 3 to get the last of it off. I was trying to minimize the use of the harshest chemicals mostly just to minimize the mess. Think I should start with the aircraft paint remover?

[SoCalJes]

I started with the aircraft paint remover and finished the bondo areas with a brass wire wheel. After I got it all down to bare metal I used spray on rust inhibitor while I waited to get it down to the paint booth. The seams are sealed with what looks like lead and no matter how slow you go with an angle grinder it will eat through it like butter...
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Jesse
71 Ghia
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Just because it didn't come that way, doesn't mean it shouldn't have.

[CiderGuy]

I used this harbor freight wheel on a grinder to remove 3 layers of paint and 1/4 inch of Bondo worked fantastic.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-polycarbide-abrasive-wheel-60571.html

I did try aircraft paint remover, no thanks

A heat gun and a scrapper worked well in smaller areas.
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything

[swhitcomb]

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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
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My 74 Ghia
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[EPETREA]

Consider having it blasted. You will wish you had later if you don't. It's the only part that I regret not doing. But if you insist , angle grinder works great but don't use grinding wheel or flapper. Instead use a cupped wire brush. It eats through paint pretty easy. Cupped, not the flat wire wheel.

[didget69]

I use DA air sander & 80-100 grit paper. Light touch - let the sander do the work. Another option is to have body soda blasted.

I'd choose chemical stripping as a last resort, as it's hard to guarantee that all of the chemicals get neutralized or removed - then it resurfaces under your new paint & bodywork down the road.

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[CiderGuy]

[swavananda]

You should look into getting a heavy duty air compressor. Like 5hp, 35+ gallon size.. It will be the most valuable piece of equipment doing a restoration. Especially if you are going to try painting it yourself. Then you can add a pressurized sand blaster to the regime , which makes getting into all the nooks and crannies a breeze. Also using an D/A sander is the best for smooth and easy work.

[swavananda]

[bluedot]

I've seen a lot of cars damaged with overly aggressive paint removal. Warped panels from sandblasting, etc.

I have had great luck with citri-strip - orange based paint remover. Non-toxic and doesn't strip the OG paint, which there is no need to remove.

Good luck!

[EPETREA]

Almost forgot, I also used 6 in da with 80 grit disk. Messy as hell but it chews through the paint. I started out trying to use my good electric 5 in but the air sander worked 5 times better. I picked up one from HF for$36 and it lasted nearly to the end. However this method is extremely dusty. You will have paint dust everywhere.

[lonotch]

If you go the sandblasting route you will need to remove all the plastic filler first, most sandblasters will not remove that off.
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It's not about the window, it's about the people.

German Folks

[swavananda]

[CiderGuy]

[SoCalJes]

Gel paint stripper, brass wire wheel and patience...

_________________
Jesse
71 Ghia
______________________________________
Just because it didn't come that way, doesn't mean it shouldn't have.

[c21darrel]

[Sofia74]

Jesse,

Brass wire wheel? Are you using a wire cup wheel? What is it attached to? Angle grinder?

As I continue to experiment, i used a wire wheel attached to my drill. Might be good for small hard to reach places, but worthless for large areas.

Your car looks great. I spent a couple hours on a door and I barely have any actual metal shining through so far.

Matt

[SoCalJes]