Stripping clear coat only?

[texasbound]

I'm wondering if I can strip just the clear coat on my 1974 sovereign? I can take on the work of stripping it but probably not polishing this year.

My question is what's the harm of taking off the clear coat and just leaving it like that? Anything?

Also my plan is to coat with citistrip, leave it overnight, and then pressure wash the whole thing.

Hers a photo of my test spot:





Thanks!

[erock53]

I dont think there is any harm in leaving it without clear coat. When I stripped mine, I was amazed at how good it looked. I would have left it alone and not polished mine if I didn't have the dreaded APB (Airstream pattern baldness) on the front and rear end caps.

[AldeanFan]

After you strip the aluminum will start to oxidize, it won't stay looking like your test patch very long.

If you plan to polish later, you will first have to polish off the oxidization before making it shiny, so you will have alittle more work.

I keep reisiting the urge to strip until I'm ready to polish her.

[funkill]

I stripped my clear coat about 2 yrs ago. It still looks better than it did with the (balding) clear coat on... I haven't really noticed any oxidation. I'm sure it has, just not glaringly obvious.

I don't know if you need to leave the stripper on overnight - seems that it would just dry out more. Guess it depends on type of stripper you're using and the humidity. I did have to apply 2 or 3 coats at my banana wraps to clear all the coating & grime.

Good luck. Laura