Paint removal question

[Guest rocketdriver]

Would appreciate advice re the best way to remove the old paint from a fibreglass and wood structure ...... amongst other things, I have to do a complete strip and repaint on the second of the two KR2 s

 

cheers and TIA

 

RD

 

 

[XAIRVTW]

Rd Im a spraypainter I paint mainly aircraft now as oppossed to cars, it doesnt matter wether your painting a car or aircraft the preparation process is the same. Dont use paint stripper on fibreglass unless you real know what you are doing & make sure the stripper has a low caustic. Start off with sanding using 180 grit may take a little longer but keeps the job cleaner & smoother. once the paint is removed or feathered out go over with 240 grit. The surface is ready for primer.Using the finer grade of paper reduces the the amount of high fill primer. Time spent preparing the surface gives a better quality paint job. Remember one thing paint does not fill scratches or chips it only high lights them. Hope this helps.

 

 

[Guest rocketdriver]

Dont use paint stripper on fibreglass unless you real know what you are doing & make sure the stripper has a low caustic. Start off with sanding using 180 grit may take a little longer but keeps the job cleaner & smoother. once the paint is removed or feathered out go over with 240 grit. Remember one thing paint does not fill scratches or chips it only high lights them. Hope this helps.

Thanks Xair .... sounds like no short cuts, just lots of elbow grease! And how true re paint highlighting the deficiences of the preparation ......

 

cheers

 

RD

 

 

[XAIRVTW]

If you have a decent air compressor get a pneumatic palm sander with soft pad cuts the work by half.

 

 

[Ultralights]

yes, do NOT use stripper on fibreglass, the chemicals in the stripper can attack the resin structure and turn it to soup. MEK (which is very toxic, but powerful solvent) makes a good paint stripper but requires some elbow grease with scotchbright pads. or as they do in most if not all millitaty and commercial aircraft, just scuff the paint on fibreglass parts and respray the final new colour.