Learn How to Strip your Cars Paint at Home | Car Body Restoration DIY

For most die hard car enthusiasts, when they build a car they want to do each and every job themselves so they can be one with their beloved machine. And the first thing most restorers are faced with is the body work of the car. Although taking on the body work of a project car yourself seems kind of daunting, but rest assured its possible given that you educate yourself a little beforehand. 

The first thing one needs to do to get cracking on with straightening out the body work is paint stripping. This step by step tutorial will teach how to effectively strip your cars paintwork at home in 2023 !

Step 1: Preparing your Garage to Strip Paint:

Lay a tarp out in your garage. Drive your car onto the tarp. This will catch any chemical spills and make your cleanup easier.

Step 2: Masking:

Tape off areas of the car that don't need chemical stripping, using masking tape and newspaper. Cover the windshield, windows, tires, fender and other areas in this manner.

Step 3: Applying Chemical Paint Stripper:

Apply a coat of chemical stripper to your car. using a paintbrush. Pour chemical stripper into a disposable container such as an old coffee can. Coat the car's body with the chemical stripper. Wait the recommended amount of time for your chemical stripper to work, following the manufacturer's recommendation.

Step 4: Removing the Chemical Stripper:

Scrape the chemical stripper and old paint off your car with a plastic scraper at the end of the waiting time. Drag the plastic scraper across your car, with your hand held at a 45- to 70-degree angle to the car. The paint and chemical stripper should flake off.

Step 5: Sanding Off Remaining bits of Paint:

Scrub any areas that still have paint with 40-grit sandpaper. This should remove leftover paint.

Step 6: Appyling Lacquer Thinner to remove Stripper Residue:

Apply a coat of lacquer thinner to remove any traces of chemical stripper, using a fresh paintbrush. Remove the masking tape. Your car is ready for sanding and priming.

via: crazyoctopus@flickr