I'm very curious what you use for the paint stripper, and what do you do for cleanup/containment of the mess?
I have been stripping my vehicles like this for 38yrs now. Trying different variations on the way.
In the middle I tried different media blasting too and still use it for door jambs, floors, trunks or other spots. I usually use the chemical strip for outside sheet metal.
It is by far away the fastest and cheapest way to do it.
Usually 2-3 gallons max to strip a car.
Kleen Strip Aircraft Paint Remove is what I have used for the 38yrs.
Tried others but none work as well for me.
I have found technique is equally important.
I have found as soon as I put a brush to it and move it around or touch it in any other way after application it does not work as well.
Each time I strip a car I try different methods.
I even tried to use my pressure pot and spray it on . . . It ATE the aluminum! Lesson learned.
So after the 38yrs, On this truck I tried yet another method. (getting lazy)
Looking for another time saver.
I will find another part to strip. (the hood) and show a time line from start to finish. My estimate to strip the hood in labor time is approx 15 minutes start to finish. Clean bare metal. At a cost of under 5.00
As far as cleanup I have normally just done it in shop with window or door open but makes me ill.
Seeing as though water neutralizes it the best is outside, sun an warm helps.
It was very rainy yesterday when I stripped the fenders.
1) In short I take a 1L Smart Water bottle drill a 1/4" hole in cap.
2) Fill water bottle with remover after a bit of agitating to make sure its mixed.
3) Hard to explain but I then just slowly squirt the remover onto panel with panel vertical and just keep adding until it runs down panel adding where needed kind of like making a even flowing river. any amount that runs off I catch and re-use. Once I have 100% coverage I lay the item flat and let it do its job. Usually 15 minutes or less. If I wait longer it will dry on its own.
4) One can then scrape off with large scraper, putty knife etc.
5) I am lazy I heat the steamer up and using a very wide pattern let it just roll off and onto the concrete or cardboard etc.
6) Sounds bad I know but I just leave it out and allow the moisture to evaporate.
7) At this point the paint is now dry chips just as you scraped it off using no chemical.
8) I have tried touching up with brush for spots I missed, just does not work well.
9) I have also tried brushing it on, one ends up using much more remover.
10) Cheap and fast the current method. It takes one or 2 minutes tops to apply. I can walk away and keep an eye on it. When its ready I scrape or use steamer. Then any small spots I can touch up with brush and then hit with water and steel wool.
I will try to show the exact method and time line tomorrow if help shows up.
