Removing Paint from metal By imagesinthewind (Read 797 times)

[imagesinthewind]

I want to take a gas tank down to bare metal and repaint it.
what's the best way to remove all the paint?

Thanks!

[mthomas]

For a small area like that, some abrasion and elbow grease.

[imagesinthewind]

How small is the area? It's a motorcycle gas tank.
I should sand it all off?

[♔Big Guy♔]

You can buy a brush on paint remover from The Home Depot... it gets all the little bends and nooks and crannies really well. I personally usually don't remove the paint. I just sand it down some (called scuffing) and then prime and paint right over the old.


-Rich

[zugzug]

May 25, 2010 18:50:54 GMT -6 ♔Big Guy♔ said:

You can buy a brush on paint remover from The Home Depot... it gets all the little bends and nooks and crannies really well. I personally usually don't remove the paint. I just sand it down some (called scuffing) and then prime and paint right over the old.


-Rich

+1

[imagesinthewind]

May 25, 2010 18:50:54 GMT -6 ♔Big Guy♔ said:

You can buy a brush on paint remover from The Home Depot... it gets all the little bends and nooks and crannies really well. I personally usually don't remove the paint. I just sand it down some (called scuffing) and then prime and paint right over the old.


-Rich

There are a bunch of nicks in the paint, so I think that even sanding it down wouldn't make it perfect. I figure taking the whole thing to bare metal, priming and then air brushing the new color on would give a better smooth look. . .right?

[flyangler]

Ginny, if the paint on the tank is not original then there may have been bodywork done on the tank, if you use paint remover you will also have to redo the bodywork . The paint remover is really nasty stuff but will be much faster than sanding, just remember to wash it down thoroughly with water and use a metal prep solution before priming. Dan.

[♔Big Guy♔]

I prefer the scuffing method Ginny. The spots where you have the nicks you just use a little elbow grease and feather them out. And no, bare metal won't have any benefits... in fact, the more base the better in case of a scratch in the future.


-Rich

[imagesinthewind]

Okay, I'll try the sanding method first.
I'd rather not use nasty chemicals.

What grit? There is no body work on the tank, just some nicks where the paint has been chipped.

[mthomas]

I would start with around 120-150 grit. That will take off most of the paint. Once done, I would go to about 320 to take out any of the big scratches and make wet sanding the primer easier. Spray about 4 good coats of primer with the first being very light. Sand the primer with 600 grit and water dipping the paper in the water. Should be very smooth and ready for paint. Wash it VERY good and make sure it is clean and dry it but let it dry overnght as paint and water do not mix. Before you paint, wipe off with a tacky cloth and you are ready. Spray about 4 coats again with the first being very light again. Clear if you want.

[imagesinthewind]

May 26, 2010 14:19:24 GMT -6 mthomas said:

I would start with around 120-150 grit. That will take off most of the paint. Once done, I would go to about 320 to take out any of the big scratches and make wet sanding the primer easier. Spray about 4 good coats of primer with the first being very light. Sand the primer with 600 grit and water dipping the paper in the water. Should be very smooth and ready for paint. Wash it VERY good and make sure it is clean and dry it but let it dry overnght as paint and water do not mix. Before you paint, wipe off with a tacky cloth and you are ready. Spray about 4 coats again with the first being very light again. Clear if you want.

Thanks!
Will do pics when I get to it.

[phaze]

if you use stripper you run the risk of the chemical ruining your new paint, so sanding or blasting is the way to go

[imagesinthewind]

cool.
Thanks for all the help everyone!