Angle Grinder to Cut Painted Quarter Panel Protectors - Bad Idea?

[the-glove]

I'm wanting to cut my quarter panel protectors so that my hard top won't be sitting on them and will fit better. They are already painted. If I use a cut-off wheel on a grinder, is it going to destroy the paint near the cuts (flaking it off) and when I'm grinding down the cut? Best case scenario I'm thinking if the paint gets F'd up within a 1/8" strip along the cut, I can mask off and paint that whole strip black and it woudn't look horrible.

 

[bax]

Ok by the sound of this you answered your own question. It sounds like a good plan to me. You could shim up your hard top and not cut anything. You might need to adjust the top of your door weather-stripping if you do this. I guess that is a bad idea. You could lay a wet rag on the steel as your cutting it. This would stop the burning. Cut off wheel will work the best I think. So are you done yet?

 

[the-glove]

Ok by the sound of this you answered your own question. It sounds like a good plan to me. You could shim up your hard top and not cut anything. You might need to adjust the top of your door weather-stripping if you do this. I guess that is a bad idea. You could lay a wet rag on the steel as your cutting it. This would stop the burning. Cut off wheel will work the best I think. So are you done yet?

Guess I kinda did
I wanted to see if people thought it might damage more paint than just within 1/8" though.

Thought about the shim idea, but thought everything would fit better if I just cut em.

 

[Madgyver]

if you want it pretty. you will have to paint it again.

 

[70_Steve]

I'd be afraid the cutoff wheel would heat up the metal and FUBAR the paint. I'd be inclined to use a Sawzall and cutting oil. Then use a file to clean up the cut. I'd also use masking tape and mark the cut on it, so you'd be cutting through the tape. I would use a longish blade and hold the sawzall away from the metal and paint.

 

[SK67]

I'd be afraid the cutoff wheel would heat up the metal and FUBAR the paint. I'd be inclined to use a Sawzall and cutting oil. Then use a file to clean up the cut. I'd also use masking tape and mark the cut on it, so you'd be cutting through the tape. I would use a longish blade and hold the sawzall away from the metal and paint.

X2 on the sawzall.

 

[wesleydax]

cut off wheel and a water hose just enough water to keep it wet. Ive done it on a couple 34 dashes when changing inserts. go slow dont rush and the only touch up will be on the raw edge. and dont slip

 

[graniteguy]

Cutoff wheel should work better than a recipro saw. Only thing that may work better is a metal cutting bandsaw.

 

[the-glove]

cut off wheel and a water hose just enough water to keep it wet. Ive done it on a couple 34 dashes when changing inserts. go slow dont rush and the only touch up will be on the raw edge. and dont slip

"and don't slip"........ Lol.... We'll see!
Now I'm undecided on grinder versus sawzall. I'd think the grinder cut would be cleaner.

 

[Rustytruck]

Tape it off and lay out your line. use a razor blade and cut through the paint down to the steel so it doesnt peel or chip when you cut. Cut next to your cut line. I would probably just cut close with a jig saw so you dont burn the paint then use a grinder to clean it up.

 

[the-glove]

Tape it off and lay out your line. use a razor blade and cut through the paint down to the steel so it doesnt peel or chip when you cut. Cut next to your cut line. I would probably just cut close with a jig saw so you dont burn the paint then use a grinder to clean it up.

Great advice. Thanks

 

[TwoDalesDad]

I did mine with my plazma torch...using the extra fine nozzel...and of course pointing it away from the carpet. It took longer...to think about doing it..than it took.....to be done with it...