Paint Removers ??

[Deleted]

Hello Brains Trust

As I'm finishing off painting the outside of my van I wish to remove paint from some of the parts attached to the outside, now most of them I'm not too worried about but this badge "HERE" I would like to get back to it's shiny alloy finish, will a paint stripper hurt it ?

I tried soaking it in petrol for a couple of hours to see if it would soften the paint but no luck   I'm only guessing but it is either equip enamel or house enamel that the van was spray in.....and no primer or undercoat was used.

Any idea's

Cheers  

[pisces51]

I wouldn't think paint stripper would hurt the badge. They are made of some sort of alloy, and the fact that the serial number is stamped on them suggests the alloy is fairly hard, even though the badge can get quite pitted from corrosion. You can always test a small section of the badge with paint stripper, to see if it has any adverse effects, but I reckon you'll find there's no problem.

cheers,

Al.

[bambang]

Lawrence, paint stripper may be alright...BUT be careful as some brands are pretty caustic. Probably safer to soak the badge in paint thinner ( "industrial all purpose thinner/solvent" being the Wattyl one that I'm familiar with...good for even automotive acrylics and enamels, just don't get the low-level thinners like turps or white spirits as they're gutless )...or try acetone (steal SWMBO's nail polish remover) it's great too.
cheers - Steve.

[matt]

Acetone works quite well without the risk of destroying the metal. If the paint structure is weakened enough the acetone should soften it enough to just wipe off. I've successfully used acetone to remove the white paint on out 78 explorer prior to painting. A bit messy and almost got a little high too , but it worked well.

If the acetone doesn't work then paint stripper would be next. I do a bit of metal polishing as a hobby, if you want the badge to really shine grab a josco metal polishing kit from b******s. They fit to a power drill and only cost around $20 for a small kit.

If it's pitted from corrosion you may need to beg borrow or steal a dremel tool to carefully remove the corrosion and give it a final buff.

I have one of those badges on mine, also covered in paint. Might have to give it the treatment too!

[Deleted]

Arrr

Nail polish remover....would never thought of that...  well done

Thanks 

[Mustang]

May 24, 2015 6:55:04 GMT 10 matt said:

Acetone works quite well without the risk of destroying the metal. If the paint structure is weakened enough the acetone should soften it enough to just wipe off. I've successfully used acetone to remove the white paint on out 78 explorer prior to painting. A bit messy and almost got a little high too , but it worked well.

If the acetone doesn't work then paint stripper would be next. I do a bit of metal polishing as a hobby, if you want the badge to really shine grab a josco metal polishing kit from b******s. They fit to a power drill and only cost around $20 for a small kit.

If it's pitted from corrosion you may need to beg borrow or steal a dremel tool to carefully remove the corrosion and give it a final buff.

I have one of those badges on mine, also covered in paint. Might have to give it the treatment too!

As mark says,
Wear gloves with Acetone.
I picked off the corroded bits in our lettering then sprayed with 2 in 1 bright galv by Dy-Mark

[Deleted]

May 24, 2015 9:38:50 GMT 10 @lockyer said:

Arrr

Nail polish remover....would never thought of that...  well done

Thanks 

Arrr

The nail polisher remover took the cherry red from my nails...   I gave it a red hot go but didn't do a thing to the badge.

 

I think paint stripper is going to get used shortly.....

Cheers

[tim]

I've stripped a lot of paint in my time. I'd have no concern at all in using some good old methylene chloride based stripper on that. I doubt much else will touch it.

Tim

[atefooterz]

May 25, 2015 19:43:21 GMT 10 @lockyer said:

May 24, 2015 9:38:50 GMT 10 @lockyer said:

Arrr

Nail polish remover....would never thought of that...  well done

Thanks 

Arrr

The nail polisher remover took the cherry red from my nails...   I gave it a red hot go but didn't do a thing to the badge.

 

I think paint stripper is going to get used shortly.....

Cheers

The issue with acetone & nail polisher remover is evaporation so it dries off way before it has managed to sink into the paint.