Thread: Paint stripper that works on multiple layers

Originally Posted by gromit

I've just spent the evening removing about 6 or more layers of paint from about 1 square foot of a Military Land Rover bonnet !
Each layer required another coat of stripper.

I've checked constituents of several brands and they are all very similar but prices are all over the place.

Can anyone suggest a paint stripper that will remove multiple layers reliably. If an expensive brand works it might be cheaper than multiple coats of a cheaper brand.

One day I'll set up for media blasting, until then it's paint stripper.



Colin

Hello Colin,

What variety of 'media' are you thinking of using - walnut husk to soda, or ... ?

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello Colin,

What variety of 'media' are you thinking of using - walnut husk to soda, or ... ?

Kind regards
Lionel

I'll think that through if I ever get the time to set up for media blasting.
I have a big compressor & a petrol engine to run it, about to collect a blasting cabinet just short of time to put it all together, that's why I'm using paint stripper.

Colin

It is going to depend on the type of paint and the quality of the prep when it was applied. I got some stuff from Milsome's in the Gully which worked ok on sections of my OKA ( when I find the key to the cupboard I'll tell you what it tis ), but this is not indicative. I don't know what the original paint was, or the layers applied later. But I can say the top coat is enamel that appears to have been applied by opening the tin and giving brushes to a troupe of baboons. A good thick coating of stripper seemed to get through a lot of it.
Looking for keys...

I used to use that gel stuff that burnt like hell if you got it on your skin but it worked really well, paint it on and the paint would blister and lift right away.

Yes, but most of those have been "discontinued" due to precisely what used to burn you. Probably caustic or something.

Who knows what paint the Army used, there are multiple coats and all possibly different !!
The stuff I'm using burns, a bit of spit rubbed in stops the burning.

I got some stripper from Advance Chemicals a while back, listed for powdercoat. Performance was about the same as the stuff from Bunnings I'm using.

Apply, watch TV for a bit, scrape, apply, repeat. At least I'm in the shed and can watch what I want (currently going through the X-files from the beginning).



Colin

The constituent of paint stripper (that actually works, not the eco crap) is Dichloromethane. It tends to be a very thin watery substance and it does evaporate quickly. breathing it will dissolve your lungs. They put it in a gel so that it sticks and stays and can do it's job

It is usually not available anymore as paint stripper to de legislation (at least in the eu) but I can buy it as the raw product (gelled as well) online since that is not illegal somehow. Perhaps the same goes for OZ.

Good luck finding it and be careful mate

Cheers,
-P

Originally Posted by prelude

The constituent of paint stripper (that actually works, not the eco crap) is Dichloromethane. It tends to be a very thin watery substance and it does evaporate quickly. breathing it will dissolve your lungs. They put it in a gel so that it sticks and stays and can do it's job

It is usually not available anymore as paint stripper to de legislation (at least in the eu) but I can buy it as the raw product (gelled as well) online since that is not illegal somehow. Perhaps the same goes for OZ.

That's exactly whats in the stuff I'm using, 870g/ltr and it takes multiple applications !

Colin