71 Cuda Grill argent rattle can paint removal

[EMCD]

I'd like to go to body color instead of the silver on my repop 71 grill. Originally, we used rattle can paint. What's the best way to remove it w/o damaging the plastic?

[jimynick]

That's a toughy. Was it textured paint? How's the adhesion? Was the paint lacquer or enamel? If it was lacquer you could use lacquer thinner and a clean, rag in a out of the way spot to test it. You'd want to be on and off quickly. If it's enamel and not textured and adhered well, I'd forget trying to remove it and sand it and re-coat as req'd. Not an easy nor enviable job any way you look at it! 

[Haddixj]

Find a media blaster who blasts old corvettes. Maybe find a local vette club and ask for a referral?

[dakota]

I've seen some references to using brake fluid to remove old paint, but haven't tried it yet.   This was one link I found:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7524246_strip-paint-brake-fluid.html

[EMCD]

Yes, it's the textured type. I was thinking the brake fluid might work, but I was worried about it effecting the plastic in a bad way.

[drewcrane]

Yes, it's the textured type. I was thinking the brake fluid might work, but I was worried about it effecting the plastic in a bad way.

It wont hurt the plastic at all,it will easily remove all the paint, and you can then wash it with soap and water to remove the brake fluid ,it will work, lacquer thinner will melt the plastic don't use that, try some on a small part you  might be pleasantly surprised

[EMCD]

cool. i'll give it a try. i'll load it into a spray bottle and get at it.

[drewcrane]

cool. i'll give it a try. i'll load it into a spray bottle and get at it.

Find or make something to soak it in, it will come off much faster

[EMCD]

will do. how difficult is the grill to remove from the car? any suggestions or instructions?

[1 Wild R/T]

Your textured paint, was it the reproduction suppliers Argent or was it the commonly substituted Krylon Fusion? Cause the reason for Krylon naming their paint Fusion is it chemically bonds to plastic & when you remove it you may not like the results....

Might be better off selling your textured grill & buying another bare grill...

[EMCD]

it was the krylon rattle can paint recommended on the forum.

[drewcrane]

will do. how difficult is the grill to remove from the car? any suggestions or instructions?

Well it is not easy, tape off the areas  of paint near the bumper ,remove the bumper, there several attachment screws top and the bottom has two slots and the grille slides in the there be careful not to break them ,remove the head light area with screws ,and it should come out, and yes if you used krylon brake fluid will remove it,I have 2 grilles I have restored , using 3 grilles one  smooth, one with argent, one part was factory argent and it was so old it sanded off smooth with 400 grit sand paper ,to a nice smooth finish

[hofilbert]

...I was thinking the brake fluid might work, but I was worried about it effecting the plastic in a bad way.

Some others  may have had good luck with brake fluid, but I WOULD NOT USE IT.  Brake fluid takes out some of the oils in the plastic and will make it brittle.

Some "easy" on plastic paint removers are EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER and also PINE-SOL.  Easy Off will attack aluminum so be sure you have no trim on the grill.  Pine-sol can be left on to soak for days, months and years not hurting the plastic.

[EMCD]

sounds like more trouble than its worth... i'll just leave it silver. I don't hate it that much!

[ChallengerHK]

Oven cleaner will also work well, although I think brake fluid works better. I've tested both on enamel paint of styrene models with no damage to the plastic at all, although I'd give the part a mild soapy water bath when you're done.