What can I use to strip my car to bare metal??

[1972fwyatt]

  okay so I'm new here! I'm restoring a 72' challenger. I'm wanting to strip all or most paint off so I can start fresh! What do you guys recommend? I really don't wanna media blast anything but the sub and under neath! Thanks in advance 😎

[Surfmichaels]

Not sure if it was best way, it sure hasn't been cleanest or easiest, but I've taken my whole car (almost done) to bare metal using a scraper, da sander with 80 grit, and wire wheels on a drill.

[Topcat]

I stripped the outside of my car by hand.
It's not that bad a job as long as you don't get it on your skin.

The underside I did sand blast. I put plugs in many of the holes.
I did it this way to minimize sand in all the crevices prior to paint.

[1972fwyatt]

Not sure if it was best way, it sure hasn't been cleanest or easiest, but I've taken my whole car (almost done) to bare metal using a scraper, da sander with 80 grit, and wire wheels on a drill.

Not sure if it was best way, it sure hasn't been cleanest or easiest, but I've taken my whole car (almost done) to bare metal using a scraper, da sander with 80 grit, and wire wheels on a drill.


Well that's how I've been doing it. With a da and 80 grit. But I wasn't sure if there was any type of stripper. Seems likes it's taking forever!!

Not sure if it was best way, it sure hasn't been cleanest or easiest, but I've taken my whole car (almost done) to bare metal using a scraper, da sander with 80 grit, and wire wheels on a drill.

[1972fwyatt]

Topcat what stripper did you use?

[Surfmichaels]

I'll add in a request for more info that will get you better feedback. Skill level, equipment owned and time vs money calculations play can also play a big role. Deciding on which factors are most important for you will get you better feedback.

I liked the old fashioned way because I have kid that will come into the garage and I didn't want chemicals everywhere. And I decided against media blasting because I enjoy working on the car and wanted to do it all myself. Every square foot of paint I remove I get happy because there is metal underneath and not bondo! If you enjoy the journey and take your time you will learn a lot about your car....

[ourname]

I would go the media blast method, ( Plastic or Glass).  the problem with using a grinder and 40 grit is that you will heat the metal and warp it. Chemical if not cleaned out will sit and slowly eat its way out. ruining your new paint. My cuda I had media Blasted ( Plastic) and it was awesome. I am presently doing a Truck I am also getting the body media blasted.  My 2 Cents

[1972fwyatt]

  I'm with you I am wanting to do everything myself. Money is a factor because the wife says so. So I'm trying to stay cheap. But, do it the right way where it's gonna last me. Media blasting is no fun because I'm not there, but the DA seems like it's taking forever. I found some stuff online that's not harmful to you or the environment. I just can't find a supply in my area. I'm gonna research a little more tomorrow and see what I can find! I'm wanting to have the car stripped and ready for he shop by February. If my work permits that! I appreciate your feedback and quick response surfmichaels

[Topcat]

I would go the media blast method, ( Plastic or Glass).  the problem with using a grinder and 40 grit is that you will heat the metal and warp it. Chemical if not cleaned out will sit and slowly eat its way out. ruining your new paint. My cuda I had media Blasted ( Plastic) and it was awesome. I am presently doing a Truck I am also getting the body media blasted.  My 2 Cents

As long as you phosphate clean the car well before 30 grit sanding; there's not likely for it to bleed thru up into the paint. Just need to be thorough.

You really do learn the cars body doing it this way. 

Topcat what stripper did you use?

Aircraft Stripper.

No signs of paint issues have happened now in over a year since it was painted.

[Topcat]

Stripping a car by hand is not for everyone.

Factors are: How rusty underneath, bodywork, known history. modifications planned, money, work area. time.

[jimynick]

Mike's got the right idea, use the aircraft stripper. Don't even consider the "green" stuff, it just doesn't work well . The trick to using stripper, is to duct tape all the seams and stay away from the tape by an inch or two. That way, you do not introduce the stripper into areas that are hard to properly clean. Take the paint off and knock the remaining fringes down (after having washed and neutralized the stripper) with 80 on a DA, metal prep it immediately and epoxy paint it immediately after that. You can grind/sand off the epoxy where you need to do bodywork. It's a lot of work and if you can make more money in the time you'd burn to do it this way, then perhaps the bride will see economic reason to the media blasting- perhaps. Good luck 

[Jesus H Chrysler]

I blasted my engine bay inside my garage with an inexpensive pressure blaster inside a makeshift tent. I got a really big boat tarp, some angle iron, work lights and a Tyvek suit with blast helmet and breathing mask.  I used a shop vac to keep the dust out of the tent.  It worked really well, and it kept the dust outside the tent to a minimum.

[Surfmichaels]

You really do learn the cars body doing it this way. 

Doing it the hard way really helped me bond with the car. You notice every little dent, imperfection or variation from side to side. But I've working on it for a year, it's not fast if you don't have a lot of free time or if there is multiple layers of paint.

[1972fwyatt]

 Wow thanks for all the response! I'm loving it! I think I will start stripping and see how bad it is and go from there! I will start a build thread when I do thanks again guys!

[E-Body Products]

Aircraft Stripper and phosphate coat after.


Daniel
www.ebodyproducts.com