Stripping silver paint and yellow primer?

[M. Childs]

Hey all,

I'm about to strip some old paint and what looks like yellow primer underneath my 1976 safari 23'.

Was leaning towards Citristrip from Home Depot. Anyone have any advice before I go for it? I am researching what needs to be removed and taped up so I don't do any unwanted damage to emblems, lights and plastic parts but I know all these chemicals react differently and am trying to find a balance between quick and non toxic.

Not sure if there is a better choice since I have what looks like 3 possible layers to get through?

M

[RM66caravel]

Is this what happens when you just can't get that clear coat to shine up? Three times the work and no satisfaction!

[M. Childs]

I'm still curious as to why they decided this was a better way to go? I can't imagine dealing with the clear coat was as bad as dealing with this?

[RM66caravel]

Well let's see not knowing at the time there was no google no air forums and most of all no internet! So lots of mistakes were done. Can you imagine not having the Internet and trying to do this with an airstream? I mean no parts resource no quick tech advise.
Cliff

[Melody Ranch]

It looks like someone painted your project using good aircraft technique. Good news/bad news. Th e paint looks easily strippable. Bad news...the primer looks like acid etch zinc chromate. Designed to form a great and strong bonding primer. The best stripper I have found for that is regular airplane paint stripper. It will take some "agitation" as the stripper works. When you do the final wash off of the stripper use aluminum wool or 3M green pads and you will have your clean aluminum surface . Same procedure for any paint you have there if not zinc chromate type.

[lundrunner]

I just stripped the International with Citristrip from Home Depot....this stuff is amazing....just put it on thin and 15/20 minutes later power wash it off. I would suggest doing the AS in fourths.

Dan

[rumrunner]

You might want to consider a small test panel before going whole hog. Paint has been used to hide damage and even Bondo. Often the surface has been sanded to enhance paint adhesion. Either of these conditions might make you reconsider.
Lets think happy thoughts and hope not!
my wife says I'm a pessimist, I really don't know why.
tim

[reinergirl]

Love Citrastrip! I posted on my blog a method of using plastic razor blades and Citrastrip that I highly recommend.

A 1963 Airstream Overlander named Moonraker: July 2012

Buy yourself the plastic razor holder, without it you can't get the correct leverage!