Your favorite paint stripper?

[BellyUpFish]

Going to be stripping some paint off my airplane in a few weeks for a cockpit color change.

Anyone has a suggestion for an aluminum safe strip?

Thinking about Citristrip.


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[Shiftless]

You reminded me of an old product actually called "aircraft paint remover". I have never tried it. I don't use much stripper. I have an old can of Jasco on the shelf that used to work pretty well for me.
A neighbor had to strip oil based paint from a set of bookshelves. She used Jasco, didn't work too well, then switched to citrus strip which worked better.

Let us know what kind of paint you are attacking and what stripper works the best.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've used Rustoleum "aircraft stripper" and the stuff works great, but I don't know what the effects are of it long term, if it gets into nooks and crannies..


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[billspit]

I always used aircraft stripper. I've never had any issues with bleeding out of cracks etc. because I clean it well.

 

[mmelton005]

citri strip works well

 

[countryroad82]

I use Aircraft Stripper. For the nooks and crannies the smart thing to do is run masking tape around them and strip them by hand.

 

[BADSIX]

Aircraft stripper then wash real good, water is the neutralizer. don't let it dry on the surface. if you can try and scuff it a little with some 40 grit by hand this lets the remover get under the paint and lets it work much faster. be carful not to scratch the aluminum. and yes as above you can tape the lap seams and do them by hand.
Jay D.

 

[zcar751]

Klean Strip Aircraft stripper works real good but you have to wash the final product well before repainting. One of the constituents is fatty acid soap which is the residue that will keep your new paint from sticking. I prefer it over citristrip because citristrip will cause ferrous metals to flash rust and citristrip is extremely flammable.

 

[Kevin54]

Aircraft Stripper.

 

[zmotorsports]

Klean Strip's Aircraft Stripper here.

Mike.

 

[Trey T]

I've used both Citristrip and Aircraft Stripper .... the AS works better but storing it for long term use is problematic, it just eats up the can. Citristrip, you have to strip it several tries depend on the paint type. The paint I've been stripping probably are enamel based paint.

I prefer Citristrip overall, it's easy to handle and store, and I don't mind doing couple removals. I have an electric pressure washer already setup for use, so washing it down w/ a tarp to catch the paint works well for me.

 

[Danno1]

.


5F5. But I believe it damages Al.


.

 

[happymachinist]

I also use aircraft paint remover.

Ironically they advise against using it on an airplane, though.



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[BellyUpFish]

I also use aircraft paint remover.

Ironically they advise against using it on an airplane, though.



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Rumor has it, it eats aluminum..


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[happymachinist]

That was my guess too. It is some nasty stuff.

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[NUTTSGT]

Aircraft Stripper for the few times that I have needed to use it.


What suprises me is that nobody has ever used the stuff for vandalism around here.

 

[billspit]

If you are going to use aircraft stripper invest in a GOOD set of rubber gloves. That stuff burns like the fires of hell.

 

[zak77]

I've used air craft stripped to remove several layers of paint off an aluminum v-bottom boat. That was not a fun project. But it didnt harm the aluminum at all.

 

[A_Pmech]

Tal Strip II

To remove the zinc chromate, which invariably turns into a thin layer of slime, use a maroon scotch brite pad and scrub with the stripper.

 

[BADSIX]

I've used the Aircraft stripper on big truck aluminum cabs to prep the for painting, doesn't seem to be a problem. I do pressure wash after I use the stripper and pay attention to getting the lap seams clean. the stripper dies as soon as its flushed with water .
Jay D.

 

[Colin Len]

If you are going to use aircraft stripper invest in a GOOD set of rubber gloves. That stuff burns like the fires of hell.

Any suggestions? I didn't even think to look and find something that wouldn't fall apart with this chemical. I've just gotten in the habit of "double bagging" with standard nitrile gloves. As soon as the first layer gets messed up (but before it gets a hole) I change the outer glove in favor of a fresh one. Rinse. Repeat. Works OK, but lots better than just one layer.

 

[Nexussian]

If it wasn't for the aluminum I would go with the Citri strip, works good, if somewhat slower, but doesn't burn like some of the others do; also doesn't stink.

It being citrus based I hesitate to get it in the nooks and crannies you mention (citrus is an acid, weak, but still an acid).

 

[BellyUpFish]

If it wasn't for the aluminum I would go with the Citri strip, works good, if somewhat slower, but doesn't burn like some of the others do; also doesn't stink.



It being citrus based I hesitate to get it in the nooks and crannies you mention (citrus is an acid, weak, but still an acid).

Yeh, I don't want to hurt the airframe.

I may use CitriStrip and tape off the seams and just strip those areas by hand.




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[benjamintmiller]

I would never use a hardware store product on my airplane. Use an actual aircraft stripper:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/paintremovers.html

 

[660 outlawed]

Best stripper I have used for stripping Aircraft parts is Turco 5351, we get ours from Aviall p/n 596971 which is 5 gals. it doesn't harm aluminum and is neutralized by water. It works great! PS. Don't get it on your skin.

 

[bwringer]

I'd stick with stuff that's actually formulated for aircraft.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ptiFAQ.php?clickkey=5994

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ekostrip.php?clickkey=5994

As noted above, the **** you can buy in the hardware store under the brand name "Aircraft" is not safe for use on aircraft.

 

[longez]

Dichloromethane , or more commonly known as methylene chloride works great. I've stripped a lot of aircraft parts, both aluminum and 4130, with the stuff.

Wear good gloves!

 

[benjamintmiller]

Also, the FAA has a guide to airplane painting that's pretty good:

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_airframe_handbook/media/ama_Ch08.pdf