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Can not seem to remove/strip/grind engine bay paint.

M

mblack

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Hi Guys, I'm new here on the forum, though I've been lurking for a bit. A couple weeks ago I just picked up a 1969 charger in need of a full restoration. This is my first resto, and I'm learning as I go, trying to do everything by myself. I figured I'd ask my question here as someone must have gone through my problem.

So I've just finished stripping the interior of rust/paint/sealer ect, and laid down a couple coats of rust protection, and I've moved along to the engine bay/exterior fire wall ect. The whole car has been primered black in this nasty thick porous paint, and it's probably sat like that for 10 years I'd imagine, the same pain was used in the engine bay. The problem is the paint will not come off. I first tried to strip it with Aircraft paint stripper. That got me nowhere. barely even 1/10th a mm would strip off leaving an orange haze behind, like theres rust in the actual paint which is a little odd. I then went at it with a grinder. 24 grit disk, 36 grit disk, and a twisted wire wheel. Nothing, and when I do get down to bare metal (10 minutes to get a section 1" by 3") the metal appears to be black, not normal shiny metal.

Anyone had this happen? have any advice? am I dealing with a rust converted surface? if so how do I get this stuff off? I appreciate any help anyone can pass along my way.

Thanks!
 
I'm wondering if you're dealing with POR-15? I've never used the stuff but I know a couple guys who have because it's supposed to stabilize rusty metal.
 
I think it could be something like por-15 but I don't think por-15 was around 10-15 years ago but I don't know. And from what I've seen of most of that stuff is that it's pretty smooth, this is very course and pourus and it's the same on the body panels.
 
Epoxy can be miserable stuff to remove as well...tougher than most finishes and if applied incorrectly can appear porous...
 
You could try a test patch with a heat gun, make sure you've got plenty of ventilation......that **** sounds nasty.
 
A heat gun, will that really remove it? anyone tried this peel away 7 stuff I've read people talking about online? it's a pretty pricey text at nearly $100 a gallon.
 
If someone else already went through the trouble of stripping the car and sealing it why are you going through all of the trouble again? It is not always necessary to strip a car to bare metal.

Maybe get some second opinions from a local body shop on if they think it is sealed good enough to do finish work and paint. They would probably be able to help you identify the product as well, and tell you if it is OK or if you need to strip it all off.

Heat gun and razer blades can sometimes take numerous layers of paint off like butter... you might try that out.

Else... maybe diping or sand blasting (by professional who won't warp the panels) if you are going all the way with a ground up resto????
 
trying to avoid sandblasting and dipping, as everything else has been no problem for me at home. And the reason I want to strip it off is because whatever it is someone laid it on extremely thick and it is very pourous and there is no way it could be made to like appropriate.
 
If it is epoxy, it is a good foundation to start from. How many layers are underneath the coat you're trying to remove?
 
It is epoxy and I ended up sanding it down a little to get a smother surface, and I shot over it. Probably was the safest/easiest way to do things. No I have to find the best way to get it off the body panels. It is too rough even after sanding to be appropriate for any external work. Will soda blasting remove epoxy?
 
Buzz the epoxy down with 150-180 and then apply 2-3 coats of primer-surfacer over top. Let it cure, and sand according to the topcoat you will apply.
 
Got time? I use a 4.5" stripper disc on my angle grinder. not the flappers or the sanders, but the rough strippers.

It takes off anything.

Cheapest place online is enco.com, get the Red and she'll chew through it. You will need more than one.

Randy
 
Yeah I ended up just sanding a bit then throwing primer and finish coats on it. RGAZ, This stuff wouldn't even come off with my 4.5 angle grinder with a 30 grit disk.
 
How much is your time worth, and sanding/grinding discs? And, will the discs clean up the substrate as good and fast and efficient as getting it Media Blasted? That's my answer, not only b/c this is what I do for a living, but it's the best way to get your car cleaned up ready for your restoration. For about 1800 bucks you should be able to find a good shop out in LA that can do your car. But, I have no idea on pricing in the LA area. For me to do it, it would be closer to 1900 bucks, but, this is with a Rotisserie utilized for the underside! Good luck and post pics!
 
mblack said:
Yeah I ended up just sanding a bit then throwing primer and finish coats on it. RGAZ, This stuff wouldn't even come off with my 4.5 angle grinder with a 30 grit disk.
Click to expand...

That's a shocker. I found these stripper discs take off anything. What was that coating?

Oh well, sounds like a "strong" base to coat, so it should do fine as long you got good topcoat adhesion.

Randy
 
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