Paint stripper

The safest chemical compound to use on your alu panels would be dichloromethane Dichloromethane - Wikipedia

this stuff is also used as paint stripper for airplanes so it is pretty safe :) It does not react with aluminium at all. I use it to de-carbon engines and such. You can probably buy it as a liquid but you really want the stuff that is in gel form since it will stick to the panel and do it's job. Also, the liquid evaporates very fast. You can check paint strippers for this compound, it has been banned in europe but the pure stuff is still readily available. Mind you though, that it breaks down organic compounds and rubber gloves are not good to protect you. Neither are nylon. You need special gear to work with it and it will eat you up alive if not careful :)

Cheers,
-P

I've never had a problem with any type of paint stripper on aluminium.
I have had problems stripping off some types of old paint in that it takes several applications more so if there are multiple layers of old paint.This of course will depend on the stripper used, price paid etc.

Recently I used stripper to remove filler in an aluminium panel, problem is it would only soften maybe 1/2mm thickness at a time so it took several applications.

I always wash down with mineral turps afterwards and always careful it doesn't get under edges where you can't guarantee complete removal. Also don't leave it on a panel for long periods.

I'm using this at present Paint Stripper 2 Pack - Advance Chemicals - Paint Stripping
It contains over 60% Methylene Chloride (Dicloromethane). They have a shop at the factory in Altona.


Colin

Thanks for all the feedback and I think I will try chemical stripping.

End it up using paint stripper available at supercheaauto (septone paint stripper). It looks not too bad but some of the residue stay. Probably I left it too long.

What next? Sanded I guess? Or another application of paint stripper? What paper grit?


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lightly apply a second coat and start scrubbing it off to see if you can get the residue off. Depending on what you want to do with the panel, fill it or paint in straight away you should use different grits of sandpaper. If you are going to apply primer, you can get away with 180. Sand down the primer with 240 and then apply the final coats of paint. If you want a really smooth finish you could use 500 in between layers but that is a lot of work and will get you a finish like a show car.

As a rule of thumb: remember that the scratches that the sandpaper makes need to be filled with paint and you can actually see the sanding through the paint if you use to course a sandpaper. Primer is usually slightly thicker and thus can fill the 180 scratches just fine, top coats need finer paper like 240. Also, do not sand in one direction, make circles or cross stroke.

Cheers,
-P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prelude

lightly apply a second coat and start scrubbing it off to see if you can get the residue off. Depending on what you want to do with the panel, fill it or paint in straight away you should use different grits of sandpaper. If you are going to apply primer, you can get away with 180. Sand down the primer with 240 and then apply the final coats of paint. If you want a really smooth finish you could use 500 in between layers but that is a lot of work and will get you a finish like a show car.

As a rule of thumb: remember that the scratches that the sandpaper makes need to be filled with paint and you can actually see the sanding through the paint if you use to course a sandpaper. Primer is usually slightly thicker and thus can fill the 180 scratches just fine, top coats need finer paper like 240. Also, do not sand in one direction, make circles or cross stroke.

Cheers,
-P

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Actually I want to leave it bare aluminium without paint stripper residue of course.
I think it will look good.

What do you think I should do? Another layer of paint stripper to remove the residue and sanding or without sanding?
Thanks

Bare ali will show all the sanding you would do / have done. I would use another layer and a sponge or brush to rub off the remaining paint. Check the type of gloves you would need to stay safe! Should you decide you need to scrape it off you can sand it down with 240, followed by 500 and go even further up bit by bit to get rid of the scratches, eventually polishing it. I take it however you like the bare, raw look so that would not be my first choice. The polish will make it shine though :) If you would polish the whole panel, man :) One hell of a job too btw.

Cheers!
-P

Tried polishing it without sanding first. Can see the scratches from sanding done before. I don’t really mind the scratches but it is too shiny for my liking. Its better than before but too shiny.

How long do you think this shine will last?

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Depends on the weather and your local air pollution. My guess is maybe six months if outside.

You could coat it in a satin clear coat :) protects it from elements and isn't so shiny (half way between gloss and matte essentially)