What is the best Paint Remover for Zolatone?

[Kirk T]

I know I have seen it before in a post but I was unable to come up with it. I hope someone can help me out. Thanks.

[AIR-Quarius]

What is Zilatone?

[goransons]

zolatone is the paint used in airstreams before 1966ish, a textured multi-colored paint. We used several different paint strippers. Ours also had multiple layers of latex house paint over it so results may be different. I first tried the Orange stripper which would break down one layer of the latex or so, really slow. Ended up using a really strong paint stripper I got at home depot. Worked great. Several of the airstream restoration shops (Vintage Trailer Supply, etc) carry paint strippers that others have used that works well from what others have said. Either way its a messy job, make sure to protect yourself with a respirator, good gloves and eye protection.

[AIR-Quarius]

He said Zila - NOT Zola!! ...butI did google that and it was something for the liver....

[pbearsailor]

Having stripped all the Zolatone from my interior, I've used all of them I'm pretty sure. Citristrip is by far the most user friendly, but Aircraft Paint Remover is the best for getting paint off. APR is really nasty stuff and I'd be very hesitant to use it inside, but it does work the best. Still about a three application process to get all the Zolatone off for me.

cheers,
steve

[Kirk T]

No wonder I couldn't find it! I guess the search engine doesn't do predictive text! The interior has not been repainted I just want to remove the ZOLATONE. Thanks

[AIR-Quarius]

Well...Now that we've got it spelled right you can try out these videos and see if there is anything about removal.

YouTube - Cleaning Zolatone Polomyx Airless PXA

[silverjunkie]

Citristrip is by far the best I have used. The trick is to layer it on good and thick (1/4” - 1/2”) and LEAVE IT ALONE for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours. A plastic razor blade scraper and up to three layers of paint and zolatone peels off like magic. A little extra attention around the rivets with a small stiff brush (I use a motorized scrub brush) and a final wash down with mineral spirits or paint thinner and you are left with bare aluminum. Zolatone does tend to leave some scarring (it’s why it sticks to aluminum so well) so be ready to polish a lot to get a mirror shine. Except for the end caps, using the old aluminum as a template and replacing it with new is recommended by professional restorers.

[Ken J]

Why would you strip it - only original once