Best way to remove paint?

[Aliracer]

Curious how you all go about removing the old paint from you bronco in preparation of doing body work / prep for new paint job?

I'm trying to decide between using airplane stripper (doing it myself) OR having it blasted (outsourcing to third party). Thoughts either way?

I know others on threads mentioned caution with blasting due to warping, but I feel it may be the best way to get all the way down to clean metal and remove any imperfections.

 

[gick70]

Airplane stripper worked for me,as I replaced front clip with new metal,new tailgate and new quarter panel,so there wasn't much painted metal left!

 

[SavageBurro]

drive through thick brush.

 

[73AnneBoleyn]

I used aircraft stripper. But I think the method is somewhat dictated by the quality of result you are hoping to achieve. I'd blast it if I were doing a restomod. But for a trail rig/ice cream getter, aircraft stripper worked just fine.

 

[RPM289]

Find someone with a Dustless Blaster set up it cuts paint and water keeps metal cool. i have used one a bunch up in NC great toy! I posted video on here under RPM289 i don't know how to link to it.

 

[Rickb1b]

If you sand blast it, use a home blaster with relatively low pressure. An industrial blaster will warp the crap out of your panels. I’ve done it all possible ways. I like the Home sand blaster best, but you must have a compressor which can keep up.

 

[bronkenn]

I have done both, sandblast and stripper. It all depends on the condition of the truck. If it doesn't have a lot of rust repair then stripper works fine, but if it will need a lot of repairs you can't beat sandblasting. You need a reputable company to do it though. The one I had do mine were aware of warping issues and use low pressure with their equipment. Makes it nice for repairs. They are reasonably priced too. Ken

 

[Wyflyer]

I had my frame and stripped tub blasted by an experienced sand blaster with no problems.
He used fine sand and lower pressure and it worked fine.
We didn't do the doors yet.

 

[hankjr]

I had all my panels blasted with low pressure and crushed glass. Zero warping and awesome surface. It made all issues easy to see. Like others have said, it depends on starting condition and what you want for an end result. If you blast, shop around and talk to them and methods and media
Good luck

Hank

 

[sprdv1]

I have done both, sandblast and stripper. It all depends on the condition of the truck. If it doesn't have a lot of rust repair then stripper works fine, but if it will need a lot of repairs you can't beat sandblasting. You need a reputable company to do it though. The one I had do mine were aware of warping issues and use low pressure with their equipment. Makes it nice for repairs. They are reasonably priced too. Ken

Agreed. Depends on the current surface conditions

 

[JGbronc]

I like blasting, simply because its easier and gets those hard to reach areas. We had a guy with experience do this '73.

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Blast it.

 

[BonezTheGoon]

I plan on building myself one of these -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6L_ArXCbYs&t=12s

 

[jmangi62]

Since my rig was 43yrs old at the time I purchased it I figured blasting was the only way, had a reputable shop do it and never looked back. Sorry bout the pics.?:? ;D

 

[JefeAZ]

How about removing powdercoat from a roll cage? Or just scuff it up, primer and paint?

Local media blasting company wants $300...

 

[jmangi62]

I would definitely blast powdercoat, I don't think paint is gonna stick to it, so gotta get it off there. It would be nice to find a place that could just dip it, but powdercoat is tough stuff, the guys say its a bitch to blast off.

 

[half cab]

I like blasting, simply because its easier and gets those hard to reach areas. We had a guy with experience do this '73.

Man that's a black beauty! ;D

 

[MarsChariot]

We used soda blasting on the Chariot. Blasted down to bare shiny metal. Found all sorts of things. Little rust pin holes and such. Good slate for fresh paint.(Here mounted on another Bronco frame after blasting to do shop roll arounds.)

 

[edmedlin]

I used a custom paint shop locally and they did a great job. I didn't have any rust to worry about on my S. Texas '75, and I didn't change colors. I does have a little more metallic than stock. The topless picture was how I bought it.