Author Topic: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?  (Read 5440 times)

Offline drummingrocks

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Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« on: February 06, 2014, 10:56:26 PM »
Hi guys, I currently have the front windshield and rear glass out of my '67 coupe in order to do a headliner replacement.  The car has been fairly poorly repainted at one point its past, and there's body color (green) overspray on most of the windshield and rear window stainless.  I've successfully polished and repaired stainless in the past, but I've never really encountered enough overspray to need to address this.  Is it ok to use aircraft stripper on these moldings?  Will it damage them in any way?  Or is there a better way?

I've used soap/scuff pads in the past, but they take forever on thick overspray (and this is thicker than I've ever encountered).  I've used a one-sided razor blade in the past, but you run the risk of gouging or scratching the stainless.  I thought maybe the aircraft stripper would be the easiest method in this case.
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Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2014, 12:52:26 AM »
Hi guys, I currently have the front windshield and rear glass out of my '67 coupe in order to do a headliner replacement.  The car has been fairly poorly repainted at one point its past, and there's body color (green) overspray on most of the windshield and rear window stainless.  I've successfully polished and repaired stainless in the past, but I've never really encountered enough overspray to need to address this.  Is it ok to use aircraft stripper on these moldings?  Will it damage them in any way?  Or is there a better way?

I've used soap/scuff pads in the past, but they take forever on thick overspray (and this is thicker than I've ever encountered).  I've used a one-sided razor blade in the past, but you run the risk of gouging or scratching the stainless.  I thought maybe the aircraft stripper would be the easiest method in this case.
You should be fine with the stripper on stainless. It should not have any effect but you may notice the finish may be slightly different under the paint protected portion compared to the finish of a portion exposed to the elements. Polishing should even things out in that case.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline drummingrocks

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2014, 03:23:24 PM »
Thanks, Bob.  Just what I was hoping to hear.  :)
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Offline Brian Conway

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2014, 10:25:26 PM »
     I have used steel wool #0 down to #0000 without harming the stainless steel finish.  Removes the paint or tarnish and even polishes the metal at the same time.  Brian
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Offline mjgraniero

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2014, 10:31:13 PM »
Have you tried using clay bar and lubricant?  Auto detailers use it to remove overspray from painted surfaces and may work just as well on stainless. Never used it on anything but a painted surface so I can't say if there will be any negative effects. If it's safe for painted surfaces, it should be ok for stainless.
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Offline midlife

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2014, 08:44:17 AM »
All good techniques.  I used a penny (zinc alloy) edge to scrape the paint off.  The metal alloy is softer than the stainless trim, so the trim doesn't get scratched.  Kind of tedious, but well worth the effort.
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Offline drummingrocks

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2014, 12:18:31 PM »
Have you tried using clay bar and lubricant?  Auto detailers use it to remove overspray from painted surfaces and may work just as well on stainless. Never used it on anything but a painted surface so I can't say if there will be any negative effects. If it's safe for painted surfaces, it should be ok for stainless.

No, I haven't tried that.  I bet it would work pretty well on single-stage paint, but I'm not sure it would do well with basecoat/clearcoat.  I'm pretty sure bc/cc is what's on this '67 I'm currently working on.
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Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2014, 01:05:02 PM »
No, I haven't tried that.  I bet it would work pretty well on single-stage paint, but I'm not sure it would do well with basecoat/clearcoat.  I'm pretty sure bc/cc is what's on this '67 I'm currently working on.
The clay bar is not that aggressive other then a dusting on a piece of trim. It would take forever if it is thick. If the paint is thick enough to be a solid color on the trim you will have a very tough time with the clay bar. Excellent for other things but not for when it is thick IMO. 
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Offline drummingrocks

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2014, 04:56:24 PM »
The clay bar is not that aggressive other then a dusting on a piece of trim. It would take forever if it is thick. If the paint is thick enough to be a solid color on the trim you will have a very tough time with the clay bar. Excellent for other things but not for when it is thick IMO.

That's a really good way of putting it.   :)
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2014, 07:19:10 PM »
........ If the paint is thick enough to be a solid color on the trim you will have a very tough time with the clay bar.

That's when you can start clipping the paint off the trim since its often not prepped (sanded) but just laying on the surface

This can produce some light scratches but your going to sand and buff anyway :(
Jeff Speegle

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Offline drummingrocks

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2014, 10:15:08 PM »
This can produce some light scratches but your going to sand and buff anyway :(

Speaking of sanding and buffing stainless, what is the finest grit you use when you polish?  I went up to 1200 once, but still had some micro scratches that showed through after I polished it.  Maybe wet sand it one last time with 1500, 2000, or ultra-fine?
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2014, 09:20:28 PM »
Speaking of sanding and buffing stainless, what is the finest grit you use when you polish?  I went up to 1200 once, but still had some micro scratches that showed through after I polished it.  Maybe wet sand it one last time with 1500, 2000, or ultra-fine?

Believe the last set I did (for the Cougar project) I went to 2000 wet
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Offline 66RavenGTCoupeAgain

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2020, 07:24:53 AM »
Did you polish with a wheel after Jeff?
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2020, 04:37:09 PM »
Did you polish with a wheel after Jeff?

Since I had gone that far as far as grit I finished by hand, Don't have as much experience with a wheel, have a heavy hand and there was only about 6 foot in total length
Jeff Speegle

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Offline tobkob

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Re: Aircraft Stripper on Stainless Moldings?
« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2020, 10:00:12 PM »
If you use a wheel be very careful...one slip and you've had a bad day... :'(

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