Best way to strip paint from fiberglass (Carrera tail base)?

Eric Coffey · 02-05-2003, 01:50 PM

Hey gang,

I have a Carrera tail base that has seen better days. It looks like it has been painted a few times, and the paint is now cracking and peeling. So, what is the best (and/or quickest) method of removing the paint without damaging the FG? Is there any FG-safe chemical paint stripper out there? Or am I stuck with hours of sanding?

jim72911t · 02-05-2003, 01:57 PM

Eric,

I took my fiberglass S bumper to the local paint supply store with the same question. They told me that sanding was the only option; chemical paint strippers would destroy the fiberglass.

Anyone hear different?

Good luck,
Jim

stealthn · 02-05-2003, 02:00 PM

But how do you know when you've sanded too far?

jim72911t · 02-05-2003, 02:07 PM

In my case it's easy. The spoiler is painted red, the base fiberglass is white. I'll just sand until I get the red off, then make sure it's smooth.

Jim

Hetmann · 02-05-2003, 02:09 PM

I took mine to a local guy to get it media blasted. I was assured that their process was very controlled and gentle. Anyway they blasted off all the paint, went right through the gelcoat, and left me with several holes. Apparently they let their "new guy" try this one. Long story short, I have a lot of filling and repair to do before this tail will be useable.

I think media blasting is a good option, but be sure the guy doing it knows what he's doing.

MBAtarga · 02-05-2003, 05:41 PM

Faced with a similar situation for stripping paint off a used carrera tail, there is a mild paint remover that I was told is fiberglass safe. Bought it at an auto paint supply store - Bulldog brand Flexible Bumper Paint Stripper. I have not used it yet, so can't share results. Test anything you try on an inconspicous spot first.

michigan · 02-06-2003, 03:18 AM

Eric, et al......A good, mild paint stripped can be purschased at a marina store used exclusively for fiberglass. Check one out.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I could be wrong but I thought newer tails were made of Fibron and not fiberglass. Personally, I'd stay away from chemical strippers. If they're absorbed by the tail material they could come back to haunt you. If it were mine I'd sand it down.
Just my opinion.

island911 · 02-06-2003, 10:10 AM

Fiberglass itself is just the reinforcment part of the tail, and will be inert to just about anything you throw at it.

The problem comes from the matrix (glue) that holds the fibers together. Most likely it's a a polyester or epoxy based resin (glue). Figuring out which it is, is part of the battle.

THEN, you have to figure out what type of "paint" you're trying to remove. If it's powder coated with a a polyester based coating, on a polyester based resin . . .well you're screwed.

To summarize;
the removal of an unknown paint from an unknown plastic . . .

RickM · RickM's Garage

Hmmm, The tail may be a type of Fiberglass made by using proprietary resins and/or process by Menzolit-Fibron GmbH. They're still making pretty exotic composite pieces for German cars.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

May be exotic...
May be epoxy or polyester...
Get a can of aircraft stripper and dab a spot in an out of the way place. My money's on you won't hurt the 'glass at all. Use it all the time on my boats to remove anti-fouling bottom paint. We also use hydrochloric or muriatic acid to remove sea critters. F/G is tougher than you think.
JMHO

Eric Coffey · 02-06-2003, 12:32 PM

Wow, thanks for all the help guys! Yeah, I am mainly concerned with delaminating, and/or ending up with a big pile of goo (heard of stripping/repainting horror stories from the Vette crowd). So, I will definitely check out the local marinas/boat shops, and also see if I can find that "Bulldog" stuff. If I don't have any luck, it's either sanding time, or off to the media bla$ter. Great leads/info. Thanks again! Oh, and that is a great "Beaker" pic, Island (LMAO!).