stage 1 paint removal

[jcwales]

Currently in the process of removing the paint from the side and rear metal trim ( this is the strip that runs along the side and down the rear of the vehicle that is usually not painted ) Will this rust if the paint that is on it is removed. I see many series vehicles where this metal is not painted. Should it be coated with anything to keep it from rusting ?
Thanks. Cheers!

[greenmeanie]

It should be galvanized which is why series leave it bare, it looks grey and doesn't rust. When production moved to he coilers they cheapened things up and didn't galvanize this so it is now a common rust point. A Stage 1 should still be galvy under there.

THere is a nice original Stage 1 on ebay right now with some nice pictures if you want to see how they were painted from factory.

[jcwales]

stage 1 paint removal

Thanks for the info. Using cleen strip ks3 and then peeling paint off with a scraper. Then used med grit and then fine grit sand paper to finish. I just have to make sure that I dont damage the galvanized. It looks better already with one side done. Thanks again

[109 Pretender]

JC,
You need to be real careful with the scraper - nicking the finish will shorten the lifespan of the coating beause it will expose the steel underneath. The galv. top coat sacrifices itself to protect the steel. (It will turn dk grek/blk. in the surrounding areas over time).

Stripper is excellent - use scotchbrite pad instead of sandpaper and be gentle. (Grey scotchbrite is finer than red). I like to finish up with a wipe down using Dupont 5717 acid (follow w/good rinse). This wll give the galv. a nice even grey finish.

If any is reallly bad - scratched, popped off, etc - try to get it recoated by a hot dip galvanizer.

Good luck

[Nill]

I have been thinking about doing this for some time now... Only issue I have is my paint is nice... I do not want to remove the bits to strip them, so it would be in place. What is the best approach to removing this paint without damaging the nice red paint I have on my panels? Anyone else here done this before?

[Firemanshort]

Pull all your trim off and strip it of paint. Then put it all in a box and overnight ship it to me. I am going to run to Baltimore in a few days to get a bumper and some sliders and what ever else I can scronge dipped in galvy and I am way under the minumum dip weight limit.

Well... that is if you have a lot of time to dedicate to this right now and are really kee n to get it re-dipped.....

[Nill]

Oh I wish I had the time to do this right now. Where were you a month ago? ha ha best of luck with your process. Post some pics when you get your bits back.