I'll post pics, for anyone interested, or for reference. First day, removed fifteen pieces of trim(looks like 50 to go), at least 6 clip types used. Vinyl top removed. Although rust was found below the bottom window, it was much better than expected. No holes or thin spots. I'll have to rebuild or buy a weatherstrip channnel. Off to the store for supplies.
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-- Edited by Turn2Stone on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 05:57:52 PM
-- Edited by Turn2Stone on Wednesday 13th of January 2010 09:43:30 AM
i can agree with that, i done a frame off on my impala,started middle of april and took it to oshawa autofest the end of august. started on the wagon in september,stripped it and put it on the rotisserie,now finding it hard to get motivated.
Sampled gel paint remover, polyabrasive discs, scrapers etc, and instantly stuck with the 1 1/2 " razor blade scraper. With the right pressure and angle it removed several layers in one pass for most places. It even flexed a little for the curves. There were 5 colors and multiple primers. You can see some of the paint colors still left. There is very little metal exposed, but I am down to the first prime in most places. The pictures look like I uncovered patches everywhere, but its just more paint and putty glaze or something so far. I found 2 patches, one at each end of the back window bottom. They are crude, and were hidden under the vinyl. Should be easy fix. Some emblems are a problem to get off and are weak in places. The gel paint remover works well for the contact cement on the roof, and maybe the final layer of paint. I'll do that tomorrow. Could be all day job for the cement.
I am hoping my burnout point is beyond this project. I think a frame off would be a different story. I dont have to report to work anymore, and my kids are mostly grown and not very demanding on my time, so I cant think of anything I'd rather be doing. The excitement of the finished product will keep me going, and this is my first. I guess time will tell. Things will come up that shut me down from time to time. Lookin forward to day 3.
Thanks for the encoraging words. Made good progress with the passenger side. At about 80% removed from that side, hood, and trunk. Started the drivers side today(40%) and am pleased with the results. One bad coat inbetween the others allowed me to easily (camera in one hand) remove those layers.(shown in clip). The other layers require much more work, but are moving in the right direction. The fuzzies left behind from the vinyl absorbed the gel I used and it had little effect. I found that intense scraping prior seemed to get the job done. I'll be at this cement for days because I will only do it for an hour or two then move on to something more gratifying. I'm sure that there are better methods. But as long as I can use what I have around, I will. I'm looking forward to tomorrow already. I will probably polish chrome trip while I relax tonight.
(this is my third time re-writing this post, each lost for different reasons). Its gotten smaller everytime, so if this one freezes, I'll skip today.
-- Edited by Turn2Stone on Saturday 14th of November 2009 06:28:08 PM
-- Edited by Turn2Stone on Saturday 14th of November 2009 07:41:16 PM
Thanks to my brother John who completed the shaving of the residue off of the top. I spent all day on the (the name of the part escapes me) vent intake grille like valance. (windshield bottom on top of firewall) Unbelievable amount of paint layers. Stunning piece of metal underneath. it'll probably take two more days to strip this part. Picked away at fenders during breaks, and have already answered my own question from yesterday as to why nobody else stripped before repainting. I am not deterred in the slightest.
The dog is outside all day and the garage door and entry door and window are open. Good point as the fumes are quite bad. They dissiapte quickly and we limit ourselves to small areas at a time for our own benfit as well. Floor is cleaned up, then she can come in. Its a very caustic substance. She loves the new woodstove. I will post the details of the gel stripper next post. Cant wait to get at it. Grr
Not as much visible progress, but spent 2 full days almost completing the complicated piece. Removed more trim, removed mirror, removed tail lights (tar,silicone,paint layers all holding it on). Havent caused any damage yet. I keep switching from scraper to gel to discs depending on the layer and location, each has its drawbacks. Looks great underneath the paint. Shop is trashed, but if I dont finish with a clean up, I'll start with one. I will post regular progress. I feel like I am stripping a fleet of these with all the layers. The gel isnt anything special, same stuff as many brands. Effective for top lay, maybe two if you are lucky. My trunk weatherstrip channel is good after all. Needs work, but it'll survive.
Tip - Empty a quarter cup size blob in selected are, then lay plastic wrap over it, spread blob through wrap with brush. Saves on brushes, uses less product, keeps fumes down (somewhat), and keeps product from drying up too fast, and clean up is easier. I have used less than 2 cans so far, but have scraped a lot without gel.
Relentless scraping and disc spinning has reveal some iron! Long way to go yet but havent let up at all. Best part of 9-5 everyday. Switched to semi-gel paint remover. Its a little runnier, but works better. 3 1/2 cans so far, about a dozen scraper blades, 4 or 5 discs. I hope to be done stripping by the new year. Who know at this pace.
