Removing paint from fiberglass

[idroid]

Any advice on removing a painted finish from Fiberglass? The finish appears to be a combination of spray paint and haphazard, brushed paint.
IÂ’m concerned about anything that might alter shape or affect crispness.

Cheers,
Christopher

 

[BatDemon]

same way you would on a corvette, depending on the thickness and type of paint, a chemical stripper, or you could gradually sand it off.

 

[idroid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BatDemon @ Dec 1 2006, 08:47 PM) [snapback]1369649[/snapback]</div>

same way you would on a corvette, depending on the thickness and type of paint, a chemical stripper, or you could gradually sand it off.
[/b]

I don't have any experience with fiberglass. Is there any chance that damage could be done to 30-year-old fiberglass using a chemical stripper? Hand sanding seems very dangerous.

Cheers,
Christopher

 

[Too Much Garlic]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(idroid @ Dec 1 2006, 09:57 PM) [snapback]1369655[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BatDemon @ Dec 1 2006, 08:47 PM) [snapback]1369649[/snapback]

same way you would on a corvette, depending on the thickness and type of paint, a chemical stripper, or you could gradually sand it off.
[/b]

I've never worked with fiberglass before. Is there any chance that damage could be done to 30-year-old fiberglass using a chemical stripper? Hand sanding seems very dangerous.
Cheers,
Christopher

[/b][/quote]
I'm wondering. Are you planning on stripping the paint off a screen used item or simply an old prop?

 

[idroid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoHumorMan @ Dec 1 2006, 08:59 PM) [snapback]1369659[/snapback]</div>

I'm wondering. Are you planning on stripping the paint off a screen used item or simply an old prop?
[/b]

Apparently the paint was added several years after production. This could be considered a restoration question.

Is it possible that using a chemical stripper would raise, distort, or swell the fibers? Can chemicals cause the binding agent to soften?

IÂ’m just digesting posts on fiberglass. I hope my questions arenÂ’t too laughable. I do not want to take any chances. Taking it slow.

Christopher

 

[Too Much Garlic]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(idroid @ Dec 1 2006, 11:29 PM) [snapback]1369709[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoHumorMan @ Dec 1 2006, 08:59 PM) [snapback]1369659[/snapback]

I'm wondering. Are you planning on stripping the paint off a screen used item or simply an old prop?
[/b]

Apparently the paint was added several years after production. This could be considered a restoration question.
Is it possible that using a chemical stripper would raise, distort, or swell the fibers? Can chemicals cause the binding agent to soften?
IÂ’m just digesting posts on fiberglass. I hope my questions arenÂ’t too laughable. I do not want to take any chances. Taking it slow.
Christopher

[/b][/quote]
Well, any restoration job requires a lot of research prior to actually doing the restoration... so I don't consider such questions laughable... better to be safe than sorry.

I'm also interested in hearing any answers to this, as I have a paint stripping from fiberglass project going to happen in the near future...

There was a topic recently about stripping paint, unsure whether it was from fiberglass... and several good methods was mentioned... cannot remember whether it was recommended to use brake fluid... or whether that would affect the fiberglass in the process of stripping the paint... will look for that topic now, see if I can find it...

 

[yakcam]

Oven cleaner will do it. It's an old trick I used to use on my plastic bodied slot cars.

Here's me stripping my GH...

I used the 5 min stuff for cold ovens, it may take a couple of goes, but it works a treat.

Cheers,

Kraig

 

[shado pilot]

Ive used brake fluid for years for stripping paint off plastic. Thats how I restored my TIE helmet. Don't know if it would work on fiberglass though.

 

[OldKen]

i have an old vette, and ive watched them be stripped, if its on FG only it wont harm anything, if there is bondo or glue or the like, i just dont know, but my dads friend owns a vette only shop, and i wathed him put the FG stripper on it, it bubbles up, then you take a piece of soft plastic and it just wipes the paint away to the bare FG, in its sanded smooth form, it doesnt take it down to the fibers, it looked like sanded prepped FG ready to paint after it was done...

id say go to a vette forum, seriously could help in your quest, also knowing if there are any other materials under the paint, that could be harmed from the stripper etc.

GOOD LUCK.

 

[yakcam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(oldken @ Dec 2 2006, 10:34 AM) [snapback]1369762[/snapback]</div>

.....if there is bondo or glue or the like,....... also knowing if there are any other materials under the paint, that could be harmed from the stripper etc.

GOOD LUCK.
[/b]

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned that oven cleaner will literally strip the helmet, bondo and all.

Cheers,

Kraig