Paint Remover

[Mick Milakovic]

What do you guys like to use to remove a couple layers of paint from our fiberglass tanks?  Does aircraft remover work well?  I've got a toaster tank that needs restoring.  Thanks!

Mick

[rob w]

Mick,
I would recommend to not use any type of stripper. A mistake I once made.
Fine sand paper would be my answer.
Bob

[Mick Milakovic]

Thanks Bob, does the stripper affect the fiberglass?

Mick

[Gary Roach]

Hi Mick,

One of my coworkers tried to use stripper to remove several coats of paint off a motorhome fiberglass bumper cover. Within a very few minutes, the stripper not only removed the paint, but also all of the gelcoat, and it also ate into the fiberglass. He spent over 8 hours in repairing the fiberglass just to get it back to where he could prime it. Let's just say that he won't be doing that mistake again!:D

Gary

[Kip Kern]

I don't recommend stripper but do recommend 400 grit sand paper or a DA sander and a lot of elbow grease.

[Keith Meatyard]

I once removed all the paint from a 1966 Corvette that I restored, and I remember you had to use stripper that was made for fiberglass.  It did not hurt the glass at all, and I remember that it didn't even hurt the factory GM primer coat.  I googled fiberglass paint stripper and found products that were made for the marine industry.  Klean Strip is one of them, and it is available at West Marine stores.  I would try a spot on an old air box or under the tank first, just to be sure.  As Kip said, the sandpaper on the DA works fine.

Keith Meatyard