stipping paint??

[monkers]

Im looking for a way to remove the paint from the sheetmetal parts for my Jonhson Model B saw. I dont want to rip into them with a wire brush, and I couldnt get the inside of the shrouds anyway. Then I was thinking someone with a sand/bead blaster?? WIll this hurt the sheet metal? Also, I live in a small town, so Im not certain there is anyone around here that will do it (have one guy I can ask). The rest of the saw I can use the wire brush on the 4" grinder or something similar.
There are numerous coats, some peeling, so it should all come off. I have no experience with chemical strippers at all. Someone told me to try Oven Cleaner. Any info would be appreciated ......thank you
Craig

[sasquatch]

Re: Oven Cleaner: Not 100% sure, but i think oven cleaner will "EAT" aluminum if there is any on it?

[f350ca]

Sand blasting will warp thin sheet metal, as in auto body thickness. Bead blasting as far as I know is safe, the beads are lighter than sand so don't do the impact damage. What about paint stripper, not sure whats still available with all the new rulings. There were products that worked really well, one was called Aircraft Paint Remover, available from auto body supply stores, the home furniture paint stripper is next to worthless.

[monkers]

thanks guys, Im gonna look into some paint strippers and see what I come up with

[TomG]

Craig,

Go to an automotive paint supply and get "aircraft grade" paint stripper. It has more of the active ingredient, methylene chloride in it than the hardware store variety and will get the job done. You should also know that methylene chloride is very hazardous to use, so either use it outside (stand upwind) or with an organic respirator (the charcoal element type that painters use).

Oven cleaner will remove paint, but it's very slow and it will also attack aluminum. It's the stuff of choice for removing paint from plastic parts like automotive instrument panels and interior parts.

Sand blasting will also work very well, if you have the ability. It has the added bonus of removing rust as well as paint and leaves a nice surface for painting. The typical home shop blaster doesn't have the power to warp sheet metal. I sand blasted my entire Chevelle body including the hood and roof with no issues and I was using a borrowed 12 HP compressor. Where you get into trouble with that is with a commercial blaster who doesn't know what he's doing.

Tom

[f350ca]

You don't have to be commercial to not know what your doing. I had to replace the fender and door on a ford pickup. Wasn't even smart enough to stop on the first part.

[TomG]

Greg,

I was aware of the possibility of warping when I did it, so I kept an eye on things as I went, especially on the large flat areas. Lowering the pressure and maintaining a shallow angle with the gun helped keep things from getting out of hand. It took a long time though so I'm not sure I'd ever do it again. I've stripped other cars since and using sanding discs and a body grinder was a lot quicker.

Tom

[krv3000]

hi well if its steel costic soder will remove pant but you will need a tank large inuf for the parte to fit in to if the parte is hevy gage steel way not get the heet gun out and burn it off

[monkers]

Thanks guys. The parts are steel, they are the "shrouds" for my bandsaw. Tough spots to get to inside the shrouds with lots of old paint on it. No alum on them. Gonna check out some stuff this weekend at the hardware store.

[videoman]

I just got something called Citrustrip Stripping Gel at the Home Despot, to remove finish from some wood trim. Pretty effective, is biodegradable, safe for use indoors, no fumes, etc. I don't know how it works but it seems pretty good. I went out to the shop and dipped a piece of alumininum in it few minutes ago, so far it doesn't seem to affect it....might be worth a look...