OT: Stripping paint AND rust from bumper

[DD T/A]

I know this totally doesn't belong here, and will risk it being moved. But I know you all better than the rest of this massive forum and know there are some really great heads here.


I removed this bumper to repaint it from my truck and have seen people "stripping" using chemicals for years, but I know NOTHING of the sort.


What can I buy from a big-box store to strip the paint and rust to leave bare metal ready for primer? Does such a thing exist?
Thank you all very much.


PS. I tried Naval jelly and it did not do hardly anything,, even after sitting for hours.

 

[lilredex]

If that were mine, I'd start with something like this....

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MULTI-STRIP-1-2-gal-Professional-Paint-Remover-65764/203211539

And finish it off, if needed, with a wire wheel on your grinder, like this one..

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Forney-...r-Twist-Knot-Wire-Wheel-Brush-72759/206472337

Or, you could get it sand blasted.






















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[Farmer J.]

Don't know if you have it available to buy there in the land 'North of Plomb', but i would get a gallon can of 'Nitromors' paint stripper. Use protective gloves, eye shields of course and a wire brush.
For large items like this it's way cheaper to take them to your friendly local sand blast guy, if you have one.
The chemical strippers are expensive so I usually only use them on smaller items.

 

[DD T/A]

I'm really starting to realize I need to invest in a small sandblaster setup. I have the smace and the compressor to handle it....
For now I'm off to Home Depot.

I appreciate the feedback guys.

 

[Maui]

This may sound odd, but try using Coca Cola on it. The phosphoric acid in the coke will help clean up the rust. Follow these tips:

https://carfromjapan.com/article/ca...-car-cleaning-hack-remove-car-rust-coca-cola/

Maui

 

[Mick56]

I second the sandblasting. I built my own sandblaster many years ago and it works great. Leaves the metal in perfect condition to paint.

 

[Marctrees]

Best end result will be gotten by sandblasting.

Should be able to find someone local to do it for $100 or less.

Marc

 

[DD T/A]

Best end result will be gotten by sandblasting.

Should be able to find someone local to do it for $100 or less.

Marc

I ended up simply using some chemical stripper and a metal brush. It took it down to the primer for most of the bumper and I am just going to paint it like that. Should be sufficient.
It is more difficult to get down to bare metal than I thought, so it's not worth it.



That's the problem, $100 is way too much to clean up a bumper that's going to be scratched and ran into, and stepped on countless times in the first few months of operation.
I thought $30 in chemicals and a little scrubing was asking too much....but $100 to clean up a bumper, no way.
I have also been told sandblasting more delicate sheetmetal panels like hoods and fenders is said to potentially warp them.
This has been the main detractor for me buying a sandblasting setup.



Thank you all for the feedback.

 

[ddawg16]

Another vote for sand blasting.

Personally.....I'd take it to my fav Chrome/Powder coat shop and let them do it. I have better things to do with my time.....

 

[Marctrees]

DDTA said - "I have also been told sandblasting more delicate sheetmetal panels like hoods and fenders is said to potentially warp them."

Yes, very true, thinner metal can be warped by common sandblasting.

Some parts can actually be riuned.. especially larger panels not well reinforced, such as a hood, trunk lid w 3 of four "floating" edges.

Ruining can also include "oil canning" distortions.

Imagine hundreds of thousands tiny ball peen hits on one side of a sheet, All VERY tiny hits, but pretty additive or accumulating.and you can understand how blasting can warp.

So then, one might think "Ill blast BOTH sides... so that won't happen.

Nope, weird **** will STILL happen.

It's kinda down the same road as welds pulling a connection unless properly sufficiently tacked in the correct AND enough spots.

But for heavier stuff, you should consider getting a small pressure pot blaster, will run good enough for occasional use w a true 5 hp comp.. Once setup and started I would estimate that bumper to take an hour,,, the exposed to view sides and edges, w my setup like I just recommended.

IIRC, an old Jeep CJ5 frame on sawhorses took ...I dunno,,, 4 hrs or so.

And WAY WAY cleaner end result than ANY other method.

Once you do it and see how all the **** just comes off to "etched" bare virgin steel, you will see what it's all about.

Gives me WAY better feeling of being prepped to paint over LL the chemical stripping and wire wheels in the world.

Just my feelings.

I LOVE Sandblasting and what it results.

Marc

 

[lilredex]

If you want to try your hand at sandblasting....get one of theses budget units. Good for practicing and smaller projects.

https://www.harborfreight.com/21-oz-hopper-gravity-feed-spot-blaster-gun-95793.html