OT- Paint removal from a race trailer

[carnut169]

This is a bit OT, but it does have to do with racing so here it goes...

I purchased a 24' enclosed trailer to tow the Van Diemen around... it is pretty sweet with cabinets in the front, tie-downs in the floor, a rear door that opens from the top, ladder up front, electric brakes, etc. It was used as a race trailer before I purchased it and the previous owner painted it his team colors & put stickers with his number, signature, etc on it. I want to get rid of all that and just paint it white. Perhaps something custom later, but as of now I do not want to attract any attention as I will most likely be the slowest car in my class! Anyway, the question is how do I remove the paint/ stickers in a quick, cost effective way? The sides are aluminum and I have been told that sand blasting will pit it quite badly unless baking soda is used which is expensive. The chemical strippers say no aluminum. Peeling the stickers off by hand is possible but geez- there are a bunch of them and it could take a year just to get everything off (they have baked on in the sun). Any ideas??

[atlporsche]

just peel...there's no easy way to remove decals...the vinyl ones should come off pretty easy...

There's a lot of atlanta pelicans...now that the weather's nice, you should have a party...free beer, and peel a sticker...

If you need a track engineer, call me...

sjd

[gr8fl4porsche]

Try a 3000 psi pressure washer to remove the stickers. Should come right off as well as any of the other paint that is not fully adhered.

After that, apply a coat of direct-to-metal primer and top coat with direct-to-metal finish paint. This is the water-based way we paint trailers.

To do it right you can use all automotive products for the priming and finishing but it will cost you lots of $ in material costs and much more prep time.

I would use the water-based method and then recover it with stickers and logos - its just a trailer. Whats inside is really what matters. Then again, my last trailer project consisted of a total stripping, water blasting, epoxy primer, urethane topcoat, new lights and new floor boards. That was for my '86 Quadracer.

[TigerTrash]

Most likely the team logos that are painted on are able to be removed with "oven cleaner" while leaving on the original base color of the trailer. This is an old body shop trick for removing painted lettering. It is usually sold in supermarkets in the cleaning supplies. Just spray on wait 5 minutes and wipe off. For some reason it will take off the paint but will not touch the cleared base coat. Good Luck and try an Inconspicuous (?) location first.

[carnut169]

Thanks-
Do you use the metal to metal primer on the remaining paint? I am concerned that I will have hunks of fresh white paint peeling off at 60mph leaving the blue or green paint showing....

Yes, I am going to need a track engineer..... how much experience do you have with Formula Continentals?

I will give the oven cleaner a shot- Peeling does work, but at a rate of about 1 sq inch per 5mins it really will take ages! These are so burnt-on I doubt a 3000lb pressure washer will do it.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Yes, you would use the direct to metal primer over the remaining paint. If the sides are very smooth and glossy, then I would not recommend painting. Only paint when you have to, cleaning the existing surface is preferred.

Oven cleaner does work but the shadow will remain. You can remove the lettering but you will still be able to tell that they were there because the trailer has probably faded except where the lettering was applied.

If you end up painting the trailer - drop me an email and I can explain all the procedures.

[slammed1000]

a heat gun will help you remove the decals. they sell a plastic putty type knife to scrape with as you heat the decal. easy off oven cleaner is best for removal of paint graffics as long as they havent been cleared over. before you prime over the paint scuffit up a little with a da sander...clean and the prime. priming over paint will not hurt anything at all. i agree with some of the other members...have a party,serve beer and hamburgers for the removal of decals. you might find someone that has done it before and can show you some tips. i would but indiana to atlanta is a little to far of a drive.

[TimT]

You can use the heat gun method to remove the sticker and decals. Another path might be to use a product called "Klean-Strip" Aircraft decal and adhesive remover (p/n EAD-908)