Best paint stripper suggestions please

[Sam0117]

Hi guys,

I’m in need of advice, I’m currently restoring a 150L 1960’s compressor and I’m getting close to start attacking the receiver, I’m wonting to use a paint stripper as the tank is big and the thought of using those nylon paint removing pads for my angle grinder but think it’ll kill my grinder, it’ll take ages, won’t get in all the crux’s and grannies plus all the dust it’ll make as no doubt it’s got several layers of paint on. Don’t have a lot of space to work with so was hoping to do it outside (once we get nice weather).

there’s lots of stuff on the market and reading reviews galore that are mixed so thought I’d ask for you guys

I feel the gel type strippers might be best for what I need to do and having young kids I need something they can’t get hurt from, my 3 year old will no doubt try and help

Thank you in advance, this forum is so great for everything

 

[Al Strachan]

Any pics?

paint stripper these days is pretty rubbish. I did a smaller 50 litre one last year, and I just did it mechanically, with a die grinder for the nook and crannies.

mine was newer paint and almost like a powder coat, so mechanical seemed the best option.

Nylon discs work great (I used Abracs) with an arsenal of wire brushes/die grinder, Roloc discs for the smaller areas, but be interested to hear other peoples experiences.

 

[Guest 10992]

I believe the active ingredient in paint stripper has been much reduced. Nitromors is crap compared to what it was. I bought a heavy duty paint stripper from a local automotive paint suppliers in Chester, that was £24 a gallon that worked well. There is Starchem Synstryp .
Personally I think it's great to have your kids involved, but maybe painting not paint stripping is more appropriate. As adults we have to protect ourselves from this stuff.

 

[fizzy]

Caustic soda and wall paper paste works well on many paints.

 

[cr500dom]

Starchem sysnstryp works well

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Caustic soda and wall paper paste works well on many paints.

Beat me to it.

Try and keep it warm.

I have found it works better than off the shelf.

Unless I can raid the stuff from the local GRP body shop.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

It works well when cold, just slower.

 

[Wildefalcon]

Does it have to be stripped? Flap disk the worst of it, then paint over. Often the older paints are very good at their job, on account of all the evil additives they contain.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Does it have to be stripped? Flap disk the worst of it, then paint over. Often the older paints are very good at their job, on account of all the evil additives they contain.

Did one for MIS, members helped.
We flapped the worst off, cleaned it and used a new "suitable for metal paint"

It did not coat well onto the old paint.

 

[Sam0117]

So this is the receiver, I’ve done a quick test patch to see what paint is under the nasty purple paint,

so the paint is flaking and was defiantly blue at one point, and I’m not 100% but seems to have a grey/silver under that which might not be nice paint, hence why I don’t won’t to get it all off with a grinder, I’ve never heard of the wall paper paste method I’ll deffo look into that

I’m currently just finishing off parts for the motor so the tank will be the next part I tackle as it’s partly full of water an oil mix

thank you for the advice guys hoping to get the tank started in a week or so

 

[daleyd]

I’ve used paint panther from Toolstation previously - it’s not bad, doesn’t seem as potent as old fashioned nitromors but I’ve had decent results on an old Elliot drill and milling machine. (The mill had about 4-5 layers of really thick horrible paint - took a few applications but it came off)

 

[jddevel]

Stripped every panel on my 1948 MGTC using electrolysis. Water, caustic soda, battery charger ( Youtube how)and went away and got on with other things. 24 hours later paint and rust just flaked off. Had obviously to move panels as container with the liquid in not big enough for whole of wings, bonnet etc. Virtually no elbow grease. Also cleaned some parts using hydrochloric acid but that needs GREAT CARE AND PPE!!!!!!

 

[rcx132]

The old DCM paint strippers are considered too dangerous these days and only sold for professional use. The two brands are starchem and Azure. I find starchem works better as doesn't evaporate away but leaves gunk behind whereas Azure doesn't. Please read safety manual if using these things. Don't let your kids go near it.

 

[Sam0117]

Well after watching videos on both I think I’ll be going for the starchem as it works so fast and easy to apply, but will deffo be keeping it away from the kids, having the time to make the wall paper paste an caustic soda will take awhile to make plus setting up and having it sit on the tank for awhile just won’t do for me atm, thank you for all giving your opinions

 

[Stupoty]

Caustic soda and wall paper paste works well on many paints.

my brother makes that but uses corn flour instead of wall paper paste , works very well.

Stu

 

[Hopefuldave]

The old DCM paint strippers are considered too dangerous these days and only sold for professional use. The two brands are starchem and Azure. I find starchem works better as doesn't evaporate away but leaves gunk behind whereas Azure doesn't. Please read safety manual if using these things. Don't let your kids go near it.

Yet you can buy DCM / methylene chloride by the gallon from EvilBay...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[Bluemotion]

What ever you brush on make sure it stays moist by covering the tank in baking foil afterwards to keep as much air away!!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

What ever you brush on make sure it stays moist by covering the tank in baking foil afterwards to keep as much air away!!

Cling film is better.

Plus it seals onto it self.

I use it a lot. Great to hold salt, vinegar and flour mix on to blow torches.

 

[selectedgrub]

I'm scared to ask but where do you get rid of all the toxic waste bi product you produce?

 

[Sam0117]

I'm scared to ask but where do you get rid of all the toxic waste bi product you produce?

Don’t worry I don’t just dump stuff down the drains, for this I’ll scrap it in a old 20l drum and I have a mate who works for a company who specialise in properly disposing of oils and other hazardous material