How to Remove Paint From Auto Fiberglass

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Removing paint from the fiberglass of your auto should be tackled with some care. The best way to remove paint from fiberglass is to have a commercial garage “soda blast” it. Soda blasting is the same process as sand blasting, but using baking soda to avoid damage to the fiberglass. If you need to strip paint from fiberglass at home, you may try sanding it off or using paint strippers. Remember, both sanding and using paint strippers could result in damaging the fiberglass.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Sanding Paint from Fiberglass Manually

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  1. It is illegal in many areas to sand paint from the fiberglass components off your car in the open air, while other places permit it if you use special attachments on a vacuum as you sand to catch as much particulate as possible. Check on the website for your town or state for laws in your area.
    • The particulate from sanding off paint becomes airborne and can be bad for the environment.
    • In some places, it is illegal to sand the paint off of your vehicle without a specialized facility.
  2. Because the particulate you sand off of your vehicle can be hazardous to breathe, find an isolated or enclosed area you can sand your vehicle. Sanding out in the open will allow the particulate to spread further, possibly effecting anyone who lives nearby.
    • A garage with an air filtration system is the best environment to sand your vehicle.
    • If you are sanding outdoors, try to wait for a day that has very little wind.
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  3. Because of the dangers of airborne particulate while sanding, be sure to wear goggles and a respirator. You may consider using a regular paper or cloth face mask, but you will need to replace the mask periodically if dust becomes caked onto the mask. [1]
    • Goggle style safety glasses are required to prevent the paint from getting into your eyes.
    • You can purchase respirators at most hardware and auto parts stores.
  4. You will need multiple grades of sandpaper to remove the paint and leave a smooth surface in the fiberglass. Start with 80 grit sandpaper and sand in a back and forth or circular motion to begin removing the paint. Switch to a finer grade sandpaper like 220 grit once you have removed the majority of the paint and re-sand the area.
    • Don’t worry about making the fiberglass completely smooth; a slightly abrasive surface will help the new paint stick.
    • Be careful not to sand beyond the paint and through the fiberglass.
    • If you choose to use a power sander, be careful not to sand too deep through the paint with either grit of paper.
  5. If you are planning on repainting the surface, you don’t need to remove all of the paint from the fiberglass. Instead, use the 120 grit sandpaper to remove any loose or bubbled paint, then score the rest of the surface by lightly sanding over all of it. [2]
    • The new paint will stick to the scored paint you left on the fiberglass.
    • Make sure to wash and rinse the part before repainting the fiberglass. It will be covered in dust from the sanding process.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Preparing to Use Paint Stripper

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  1. There are a number of various paint stripper products available on the market. Choose a paint stripper that states it is intended for use on fiberglass on the package. A paint stripper paste is likely your best bet if you are removing paint from a component that is still on the vehicle. [3]
    • Paste paint stripper is less likely to drip off of the fiberglass as it cures.
    • All paint strippers can be dangerous to fiberglass if used improperly.
  2. If you are not stripping the paint from the entire vehicle, use blue painters tape to mark the edges of where you intend to strip the paint from. This will provide you with a barrier to guide you as you apply the paint stripper. [4]
    • Make sure to mark off the entire area you intend to strip.
  3. Because you will need to leave the paint stripper on the paint for an extended period of time, make sure you put down drop clothes below where you applied it. This will catch any paint or stripper that falls from the vehicle as it cures. [5]
    • Paint stripper and the paint it removes are bad for the environment, so it’s important to catch it and dispose of it appropriately.
    • Be sure to apply the paint stripper under a roof of some sort so rain can’t wash any of it away as it cures.
  4. Apply a small amount of paint stripper to an area of the fiberglass and allow it to cure. Read the instructions on the paint stripper to determine how long it should take for it to completely cure. [6]
    • Check the stripper periodically to see if it has removed the paint beneath it.
    • Keep track of how long it takes to remove the paint without damaging the fiberglass beneath it.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Paint Stripper on Fiberglass

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  1. Follow the directions on the paint stripper to apply it to the painted fiberglass. Most paste strippers will come with an application dowel. Spread the stripper onto the painted fiberglass evenly in the thickness indicated in the directions. [7]
    • Different types of paint strippers will have different application instructions.
    • Gel based paint strippers are usually applied with a brush.
  2. Leave the paint stripper on the paint for the amount of time you determined it would take to cure during the test. Make sure you do not leave the stripper on for much longer, as it can begin to eat away at the fiberglass if left on too long. [8]
    • If you remove the paint stripper too soon, you will need to apply another coat to get the remainder of the paint off.
  3. Some paint strippers need to be scraped off after curing to remove the paint. If the stripper came with a tool to use, scrape the stripper and paint off with it. If not, use a plastic scraper to remove the paint and stripper. [9]
    • A metal scraper may damage the fiberglass you are removing the paint from.
    • If the fiberglass is curved, use a scraper with a smaller width so you can better control how you apply pressure on the fiberglass.
  4. If the paint stripper you purchased instructs you to rinse it off rather than scrape it, use a hose to spray the paint stripper off. These paint strippers are designed to be drained and will not harm the environment. [10]
    • Do not use a high pressure washer to rinse the paint stripper off, as it may cause it to splash into your eyes.
    • A regular garden hose will suffice to rinse this kind of paint stripper off.
  5. After removing all of the paint stripper, evaluate the fiberglass and determine if you need to reapply paint stripper to any areas. If so, repeat the process until you remove all of the necessary paint.
    • If there are any small nooks or edges in the fiberglass, it may take multiple tries to remove the paint.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's the best way to remove paint from fiberglass, sanding or stripping?
    Evan Ernst
    Classic Automotive Enthusiast
    Evan Ernst is a Classic Automotive Enthusiast based in Spokane, Washington. Evan and his twin brother Nick are the founders of ClassicNation, an automotive enthusiast website. With over 36,000 YouTube subscribers, Evan and Nick share videos covering one of their many classic car restoration projects, an interesting 'featured ride', or helpful how-to repair videos.
    Evan Ernst
    Classic Automotive Enthusiast
    Expert Answer
    Using paint strippers on car fiberglass can potentially damage it, as automotive paint strippers are highly corrosive and are generally not compatible with materials other than bare metal. It is crucial to check the product label for compatibility with fiberglass. For old car projects or fiberglass surfaces, it's advisable to avoid classic automotive paint strippers. Instead, the most effective and precise method for removing paint from fiberglass is sanding. While it may not be the fastest method, sanding ensures the careful removal of paint layers without risking damage to the fiberglass.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2007/11/Stripping-Paint/1538635.html
      2. ↑ https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2007/11/Stripping-Paint/1538635.html
      3. ↑ https://www.askthebuilder.com/fiberglass-paint-stripper/
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ask-toh/stripping-paint-fiberglass
      5. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ask-toh/stripping-paint-fiberglass
      6. ↑ https://www.askthebuilder.com/fiberglass-paint-stripper/
      7. ↑ https://blog.boattrader.com/2014/03/bottom-stripping-basics.html
      8. ↑ https://blog.boattrader.com/2014/03/bottom-stripping-basics.html
      9. ↑ https://blog.boattrader.com/2014/03/bottom-stripping-basics.html
      1. ↑ https://blog.boattrader.com/2014/03/bottom-stripping-basics.html

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