Strip 'n Polish Project Thread (lots of great tips and links)

[sandgrubber]

I think I've read all twenty something pages of this sticky and I'm stuck. First I get sold on Removeall. Then I find it's no longer on the market and people are using an equivalent product from Vintage Trailer Supplies
PPG AEROSPACE PR-5044 PEROXIDE-ACTIVATED STRIPPER
Unfortunately this seems to come in 5 gal lots. I don't think I need that much for an 18 foot TT.

This stuff is produced by the same factory as PR-5044 and the specs look pretty good

DoradoStrip 2021 Industrial Paint Stripper
Advantage, it's a lot less expensive and comes in 1 and 5 gallon sizes. Plus free shipping if you get, say, two gallons.

Has anyone used this stuff?

[Silverflames]

I used aircraft stripper from the local auto parts store. It worked great. Used a plastic scrub brush to work it around a bit, then sprayed it off with a water hose. It's really simple.

Just keep it off glass and plastics.

[Silverflames]

On a different subject. Wife got me a cyclo for Christmas. Has anyone done a first, second, third cut with a cyclo vs a drill or buffer?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

On a different subject. Wife got me a cyclo for Christmas. Has anyone done a first, second, third cut with a cyclo vs a drill or buffer?

Unfortunately a cyclo won't cut. A elcheapo 7" polisher will be needed. The cyclo is the magic tool for a deep shine, but it needs some help.

[Silverflames]

Thank you, on my list since there are places the cyclo and drill buffer attachment will not reach.

[Silverflames]

Any tricks to getting off dried on black polishing oxide spots, missed them and now they are rock hard.

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

Any tricks to getting off dried on black polishing oxide spots, missed them and now they are rock hard.

Lacquer thinner should work.

[Silverflames]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Tired mineral spirits it did not work.

[Silverflames]

Hello all first cut almost done!

I have a question about some corrosion on the roof, it looks pretty deep and I'm not sure how much deeper I should cut. I don't want to go through the top layer of pure aluminum. I thought of sanding the spots, but not sure how much would help. Please take a look a the second pic and throw out some ideas!

[Gregsch]

From what I have read on the subject from the manufacturers literature you are not actually removing any aluminum in the polishing process. And thus you cannot polish too much. You are moving the surface around as you polish but not removing any material.

I had some rough areas like you have on the roof.
I polished and polished with F7 , each time it looked a little better but, it was just minor improvements. "I went to F9 and the cut was much more noticeable. I doubt you will get all of that out but you can definitely get most of it. The down side is the F9 leaves noticeable scratches that you will have to get out with a finer grade.
The more you polish it the better it will look. It's just comes down to how hard you are willing to work.
Here's a tip for you. At the end of each session when you are cleaning up the black gunk, put your paint thinner in a mustard bottle or a chalk line chalk bottle. Then you just squirt it on your rag, you can easily control how much you use , its light weight and don't have to worry about spilling the gallon container.

[Silverflames]

I might have to order some f9. I'll keep working at the spots a bit longer, but they seem pretty deep.

Thanks for the feedback.

[B Jeanette D]

I have a 28 ft Excella diesel that we are getting ready to sell (husband has terminal Alzheimer's in severe stage) 24 year old grandson wants to do the work. Weneed to remove the vinyl and polish the aluminum. Looking for the easiest least expensive way. How much stripper would be required? Cost pe gallon? What tools needed? i am vey ignorant and inexperienced... in E. Tennessee... have tried to hire someone but could not afford the quotes I got. Help... Thanks

[B Jeanette D]

What was the brand name and how much would I need to do a 28 foot motorhome?
Thanks

[B Jeanette D]

Our Airstream motorhome is all aluminum other than the original blue vinyl stripping. Do I need to use a stripper? on the vinyl? on the aluminum? (it appears to have no clearcoat left either).. Getting the vinyl removed seems to be a challenge... any ideas? thanks

[pond]

Sorry to hear about your husband. Some articles say there are 200 hours of work from stripping to a beautiful shine, plus some specialized equipment like polishers.*


This thread is long but has a lot of info. The weather has to be *in the 60s or higher for the non toxic strippers to work.*


I had prices in LI NY from $10,000.- down to around $2,000.- if I stripped it and they would come and polish.*


Mike

[Silverflames]

Bjean you can get Aircraft Stripper at most auto parts store. It ate through stickers on my AS plus did a great job on the clear coat. The stuff is strong and will burn your skin if it stays on there a bit.

I painted it on with a brush, and then softly scrubbed it with a plastic scrub brush. I washed it off with a water hose.

Make sure you keep it off plastic, glass, and rubber. It's best to tape off these parts.

[Silverflames]

Originally Posted by silverflames

bjean you can get aircraft stripper at most auto parts store. It ate through stickers on my as plus did a great job on the clear coat. The stuff is strong and will burn your skin if it stays on there a bit.

I painted it on with a brush, and then softly scrubbed it with a plastic scrub brush. I washed it off with a water hose.

Make sure you keep it off plastic, glass, and rubber. It's best to tape off these parts.

You can see it the right side of the pic.

[Silverflames]

On a different note, has anyone ever used Nuvite G6 with a cylo for a second cut? If so does it get the swirls out well?

[HiHoAgRV]

I've used F7 with the cyclo and it removed the swirls. I was out of time after compounding with F7 so I grabbed the cyclo and tore into it. No where near as deep a shine as C the S but it looked fine going down the road.

[Silverflames]

Cool. G6 ordered.