Removing old, old paint on fiberglass question

I have a friend who has bought some really old fibergl*** fenders for his 32 roadster ( that is OK ... his 32 roadster is fibergl*** also ). The fenders have 5 or 6 coats of very hard paint on them. IF ... they were metal, I would suggest media blasting but he and I have no experience getting old, old paint off the fibergl***. He was told that paint removers ( strippers ) would damage the fenders. The old fenders fit his roadster pretty nice ( actually better than a set of Brookvilles he tried ) ... so he would like to save them. The paint is the hardest stuff I have ever seen. # 320 grit sandpaper barely scratches the paint.

Any suggestions or advice ???

Thanks in advance

Randy ..

 

I would use stripper to soften the paint then rise it real well and go after them with a DA. Maybe use 100-160 grit and be careful to not sand through the gel coat.

 

Try 120 grit to start if that won't cut it go to an 80 grit but try and save the gel coat.

 

Hey not to hijack but do you know a way to seal the gl*** up if you break through the gel coat, short of applying new gelcoat?

 

Hey not to hijack but do you know a way to seal the gl*** up if you break through the gel coat,

primer that requires a catalyst---I want to say dp90 but check with your paint guy---a da sander is always going through the gel coat use only as a last resort--use aircraft quality stripper but remove it quickly when it starts working--plastic s****ers and scotchbrite pads No steel wool or metal s****ers---if the paint is uniform with good adhesion seal it and paint over it--there are somethings under that gel coat you may never be able to reseal---don't get stipper close to damaged fibergl*** take your time

 

OK ...
The paint is so thick and OLD. It is the hardest paint I have ever seen. It has cracks in it ( the paint ) and a few blisters. We tried some 240 and 160. Barley scratches the stuff. Must be Irmon or something.

What brand off paint stripper comes highly recommended ??

.

 

Have always had good luck with razor blade stripping fibergl***, and metal parts for that matter. Get underneath the paint with a straight edge, and usually it will peel right up, thick old hard pant usually lends itself well.

 

When I break thru , I always mixed up some fibergl*** resin w/hardener and either brushed it on or used a Bondo spreader let it harden good then sand it, primer etc. etc.

 

Randy,I hate to suggest this but have you thought about asking the question on a Corvette board,,I'm sure with all the gl*** cars there they are familiar with the question your asking.

As far as strippers,,I've had great results with Dad's Stripper,,,ace hardware has it.

It fairly safe just use rubber gloves that are rated for solvents and won't dissolve and get some course steel wool to scrub the paint when it starts lifting.

Brush it on in one direction and by all means do it outside and use a respirator.

Been a while since I was in the paint business but I think Dad's was safe for fibergl***. HRP

 

Media bast it is the only way to do it now or if your good with a DA sand it down with 80 grit , the problem with stripper's as they go down into the gel coat and soften it . After it media blasted a good expoxy ( SPI expoxy is great ) then body work if any then primer then a sealer then paint . Never put RESIN on gel coat as without any matting it is to brital and will crack and come of It was not designed that way to use without matting! As going through the gel coat no worry just spray the expoxy over it .

 

You don't need to re gelcoat if you break through.

 

You can buy a paint stripper thats purely for stripping paint from Fibregl***, Its not so aggressive so will take a little longer to do the job. http://www.paint-stripper.co.uk/TDS 610 CSL.pdf
It can also be media blasted but get someone that knows what they are doing.

 

Slick sand or fether fill are the primers you want to use on raw or repaired fibergl*** (no need to worry about removeing the jel coat)They use the same mek hardener that fibergl*** uses. they make this stuff called bumper striper use that. Break through the paint first with 180 or 80 grit.

 

Ole Jeff J, hit it right.
either blast or strip with a razor blade, then Spi epoxy.
Here's and o/t corvette I did with a blade, the knocked it down with 80, 3 coats of SPI, blocked with 180, wet sand with 220,320, 400,500 seal and shoot.
Whole process on the Vette was less than 100 hrs
4 fenders shouldn't take more the 30 hrs.
Good luck Randy
BTW, the Vette had 6 paint jobs on it B4 I started