Topic: Removing paint from tank

[evanphi]

Is it safe to use a wire cup brush or wheel brush in a mini-grinder on these tanks to remove all the old paint (and prev PO horrible paint job)?

Or should I use chemical strippers?

[nvr2old]

Go with the chemical stripper.  Aircraft quality.  Make sure you use heavy duty gloves and eye protection, it's very caustic, and burns like hell if it gets on you.  It'll remove the paint in just a couple of applications, though.

[Chachi]

Aircraft stripper, something like this:
http://www.kleanstrip.com/product/aircraft-paint-remover

Here's a post on bare metal if you're going that route, treat with Boesheild T-9 after:
http://www.chinonthetank.com/2010/02/bare-metal-tank/

Or clear powder or color powder or repaint, etc.

[flybox1]

i used the CitriStrip orange stuff....worked great

[edwardmorris]

Rustoleum Aircraft Remover works wonders, even tears through powder coat, but you'll need to be outside to use it on a large item. 1 or 2 applications depending on how bad the old crud is. Fat gloves, breathing mask, and definitely outside only.

[Duanob]

The paint remover in a spray can from Home Depot worked really fast on my last tank. Took everything down to the metal.

[Steve_K]

I had a custom painted tank with bondo showing.  I used a heat gun and removed the paint and the bondo with a scraper.  Worked well and was easy.  I suggest using that method with plenty of fresh air.

I don't know how that would work on original paint.

Steve

[BobbyR]

One old school trick that auto body guys used it to put Saran wrap on to of the stripper. It slows down the evaporation and makes it strip better.

[Powderman]

I'm still wondering why they call it "Aircraft Stripper"? Ever read the directions on "Aircraft Stripper"? All of them say "Do Not Use On Aircraft".

[Kenzo]

I'm still wondering why they call it "Aircraft Stripper"? Ever read the directions on "Aircraft Stripper"? All of them say "Do Not Use On Aircraft".

[mystic_1]

Mmmm, tailwind.



If you use aircraft stripper, double-glove.  It'll eat through the first pair pretty quickly.  If you get it on your skin, rinse it off immediately with lots of water.

Once the aircraft stripper has done it's work, I like to scrape off the paint with a putty knife.  If you time it right you'll get down to bare metal immediately.  If you leave it too long, the paint will harden back up a bit again.

mystic_1

[ekpent]

  I owned a furniture refinishing biz at one time back in the day when you could get the good stuff, and I still can. Everything has a skull and a cross bone on it and I am glad I am still alive. I do "Love the smell of Lacquer in the Morning" though out of my spray guns 

[Stev-o]

 
I do "Love the smell of Lacquer in the Morning" though out of my spray guns 

I prefer the aroma of two stroke in the mornin!

[AlekStooge]

I did the bare metal route with a wire wheel on an angle grinder. Then polish and clear powder. Powder coater disappointed me and I'll need to get it redone .Needless to say I won't be visiting him again I rest my case.

One warning if you take this route don't go over the flip style gas cap with the wire wheel. It broke the lock . Take the cap off and do it separately. I prefer this over using chemicals. Here is the result.

[calj737]

Chemical strip. No easier way. If you want a completely inexpensive method, make a DIY lye bath. Immerse the tank, then voilá! Bare metal, no distortion, no scrape marks, and perfectly clean inside and out.

[Bodi]

Lye is good for steel, but take care on aluminum or aluminum alloy. It eats the metal and bubbles off hydrogen gas.