stripping paint

Any suggestions for stripping paint that wont harm the body of a truck? I have heard of people using the traditional paint strippers and having problems with oxidation on the body. I am stripping the entire truck this is for my pulling truck so i am going from a dull black paint to something a little flashier. Also since it is black will there be any problems with a dark residue?

Edited: 1/24/2007 9:39:10 PM by WeightLimit

I dont like to strip paint completely off, because its more of a pain than anything. Unless you need to because of the mil thickness or something like that.

When I restore an older vehicle I strip the paint with my Makita 6" sander/polisher. I usually use 36grit first then 80. But I would recommend using just 80. If you use this method I would not stay in one spot very long. You'll heat the metal to much and warp it.

As for the residue, as long as you prep the vehicle good you wont have a problem.

if its just a race truck y strip it?

Aircraft stripper.

^^ Yeah you could use that also. Wont warp your metal. Pretty mean stuff, gotta have good mask and gloves on or that stuff will f#$k you up. And make sure you dont leave it on there to long.

It works better warm as well, brushed in one direction.

If for any reason you get it on your skin, drop everything and wipe it off and rinse with water. It will burn you badly. I wear rubber gloves, and if I get any on them, I change them right away, because it burns right through them. I wear somethign over my mouth and nose, and I wear saftey glasses, because the fumes will burn your eyes too.

I usually leave it on for 10-15 minutes until everything is bubbled well, then I scrape it off with a putty knife. Then wipe everythign down with laquer thinner, or something to neutralize it. After that you can sand or wirewheel the little tiny paint particles it leaves behind.

Also, NEVER use a pressure washer to remove it. Bad bad idea. I did it on the bottom of my cab, and got burns all over my arms and face.

just wanted to strip it cause every other truck on the pull circuit is black or red, im going PURPLE LOL

soda blasting is a GREAT way to strip it..you can leave all your chrome/glass and everything in and just blast it..it wont do anything but take the paint off...BUT you must clean and prep the metal very well and do not leave any of the soda residue on the metal because it will cause you problems down the road