I am nearing completion of the restoration on 203277 and have begun stripping the interior panels. I have put this off time and time again as other tasks seemed easier and I like progress. But sooner or later I knew I would have to tackle repainting these panels. I've put them off as long as I can, but now must put on my big boy pants and get 'er done.
My car did not leave Dearborn with a fold down seat, but the second owner added one. I love this option, so I am reinstalling it. I have collected the necessary panels and parts at swap meets and on this forum to ensure that I have all the correct bits. It also had a '69-'70 Shelby roll bar added by the same owner, which isn't making it back in. The roll bar install required cutting the interior trim panels, ruining the originals.
So my interior fiberglass panels are a collection of pieces from different cars. Different colors, layers of old paint, and "patina" have to be removed to achieve the finish that I desire.
9 separate panels, both fiberglass and steel, need to be painted to match for the fold down. The steel ones can be refinished using media blasting and paint. But the fiberglass ones are too delicate for blasting. Hence the need for an effective chemical stripper.
In retrospect, I should not have worried so much about stripping the paint off the 'glass. The Heavy Duty Easy Off in the yellow can really does work. Yes, it's messy and smelly. But it strips off the old paint pretty well. I set up a "cleaning station" composed of a table, large stainless drip pan, large garbage bags, and a heat lamp. I spray the Easy Off onto the part, place it in the bag, and then turn the heat lamp onto it. Let it sit and ruminate for a couple of hours, and them attack it with rubber gloves and some 0000 steel wool. Rinse with hot water and inspect. It will likely take more than one application but persistence pays off.
It's taken me about a week to strip the 7 fiberglass panels. I'm nearly done, and I hope to get them off to be painted soon. Progress!
Doug
