Paint stripping from plastic

[v8s4me]

Can anyone recommend a paint stripper I can use to remove paint from plastic door mirror covers? Thanks in advance.

[phillpot]

Back in my model kit building days there was a kind of paste you could get at model shops (not many of them left now) that would strip paint off plastic but no idea if it would touch modern car paint ?

[GreenV8S]

I suspects Frosts may have something fibreglass-friendly, but you'd need to check carefully.

[Barkychoc]

How much are new mirror covers - not cheap I suspect but if you start buying expensive lotions and potions it might not be as far away as you think and a damn sight less effort

[GadgeS3C]

I think new mirror covers are the next indicator

[Gerald-TVR]

You can get suitable paint stripper from a boat yard as they use it on fibreglass boats. Had some to strip 'walnut' finish off dash and it worked well if very slowley. Cant remember name but was a Green gloup.

But be GENTLE!!

Good luck

[v8s4me]

The mirrors are now extinct the same as the indicators but I’ve managed to get a pair as insurance against the day when some idiot smashes one of mine. They weren’t cheap so I want to be very careful and not melt them. They are plastic, not fibre glass, not sure if that makes a difference to the chemicals to use so maybe a call to Surface and Design to see if they can supply something suitable.

[phillpot]

Gerald-TVR said:

Cant remember name but was a Green gloup.

But be GENTLE!!

Good luck

Was it this stuff Norman ?

[Gerald-TVR]

phillpot said:

Gerald-TVR said:

Cant remember name but was a Green gloup.

But be GENTLE!!

Good luck

Was it this stuff Norman ?

Yep thats it

[Barkychoc]

v8s4me said:

The mirrors are now extinct the same as the indicators but I’ve managed to get a pair as insurance against the day when some idiot smashes one of mine. They weren’t cheap so I want to be very careful and not melt them. They are plastic, not fibre glass, not sure if that makes a difference to the chemicals to use so maybe a call to Surface and Design to see if they can supply something suitable.

If you are saying you have a couple of new ones personally I'd use those and keep your existing painted ones as spares

[v8s4me]

No, I have s/h ones so I need to remove the old paint.

[TVR-Stu]

Thread resurrection just to add that I've found a good solution for this problem just in case someone else needs advice in the future.

If you can find a decent plastic container about the size of the mirror (I used an old ice cream container) then empty a large bottle of acetone FREE nail varnish remover in to it, put the lid on to stop the remover evaporating and leave the mirror cover soaking for half an hour or so the paint should bubble up and you can remove it fairly easily. If it won't come off at first just immerse the mirror cover for a bit longer. It doesn't need to be completely covered as the fumes seem to work almost as well as the fluid.
It's possible to get larger quantities of the remover on the net fairly cheaply but make sure you get 'ACETONE FREE' or your going to melt your covers and I mean melt!!!!

This may not work on all paint types but worked well for me and was easier than hours of sanding through the grades. Good luck!

[Deeman]

Jumping in on this thread - have same task as V8S4ME to do with Wing mirrors, but whats the story with fibreglass body - is that better than plastic and can you use stripper on that?

[AutoAndy]

...abrasive papaer and elbow grease..and no I don't mean http://www.therange.co.uk/elbow-grease-all-purpose...

[TVR-Stu]

I've never tried it but maybe Dilunett for boats, mentions 'will not damage GRP' but I'd try a small area first! The other worry then would be how successfully can you neutralize it before painting?

Or as suggested by AutoAndy the old fashioned way with sandpapers and graft.

Edited by TVR-Stu on Friday 6th December 23:57

[AutoAndy]

...and for just a wing mirror it is not that much graft to sandpaper it...really

...anyway just waned to add something whilst you limeys slept...god bless the US of A,...but the beer is still sh@t (but don't tell then I said that).