removing paint

[plasticpig72]

I just started rubbing down to remove the paint on my 3000m.
It seems that i need to use 80 grit to stop the paper clogging up too soon.
I'm doing it by hand on the curves and with an Orbital Sander on the flat parts.
Then i suppose work down the grades to 120 then 220 then 320.
I think 320 will be ok for the Polyester Filler to be sprayed on.
Do you think i am right, any comments welcome.
Alan

[plasticpig72]

Hi Steve,
i was thinking of the Polyester Filler because that's what Miles Wilkins talks about in his book.
What would you say is better a 2K or Epoxy filler.
I feel a little frightened to use a Paint Stripper on grp.
Alan

[plasticpig72]

e.g. Saint Miles.
Joking apart i think i prefer to follow Miles Wilkins "Fibre Glass Services" with his many years of experience .
Who last year closed his garage (to retire) but still continues to supply Lotus Parts and support Lotus grp Cars.
Alan
p.s. Polyester Filler on Polyester Body

Edited by plasticpig72 on Thursday 26th April 03:04

[plasticpig72]

Thats a good question as it looks like it was soft.
I've heard of people using a Heat Gun that you use for stripping paint from wood or metal.
But i'm not so sure what the heat will do to GRP!!!!!!
Alan

[plasticpig72]

A garage here in France used Hot Air Gun to strip the many layers of paint on a friends Lotus Elan +2.
It's a garage that does a lot of work on Renault Alpine 110s and Ventura cars.
It would certainly dry out any moisture.
I think "Option 1" heat cars to 50°C several times to remove moisture etc.
Alan

[plasticpig72]

Well i've looked everywhere all over the car and only found one place with some cracks front off side. I had already seen that the car had had a knock there many years ago.
So any cracks should have surfaced by now.
I have ground away the gelcoat in the damaged area as per Miles Wilkins and used resin + tissue to repair. I like to do this and use no filler if possible and find that cracks then do not return.
I will soon find a garage to respray the car and i didn't want them just to grind out cracks and just whack on filler.
I have found out over the years just filler in cracks does not work and they return.
Alan