So I've been sanding these side skirt's (removing old paint) for over an hour with just sand paper. This is taking forever and I haven't even started on my rear bumper.

Is there a faster way to sand my fiberglass parts to remove paint?

Thanks!

 

But be careful using this stuff, it will mess you up if it gets on your skin and don't leave it on fiberglass too long, it's very powerful. Then once that's done you can sand to your liking.

Whats your goal with this DIY project you're attempting?

 

Wow this is almost exactly the same answer I found while googling around. Except I found one by the same company that makes it specifically for Fiber Glass.

Well, I got a set of side skirts and rear bumper but painted in silver. I wanted to prep it my self and take a shot at painting it in my garage with a HVLP gun. We'll see how this goes and maybe a DIY will be posted.

 

Woah good find! I've never had that stuff or even heard of it, but I'm sure that would be perfect. I have first hand experience with their standard paint remover...it would probably be overkill for your project.

Use that, I'm sure you can't go wrong with it.

 

Not to jack the thread but while we're on the subject... Is it better that I prep my body kit before giving it to the shop for prep and install to save some labor $$?

 

If you can learn how to do it and have more time than money, yes. The savings won't be huge though, bodyshops do this kind of work all the time and generally, as long as the kit has decent fitment, can do it quite quickly.

If you don't know what you're doing or make a mistake, it will likely cost twice as much for them to fix your error.

Just make sure that if you aren't familiar with fiberglass you read up on the proper procedures.

 

Get an orbital sander. trying to repaint with same color?

 

Thanks! Back to OP! Thanks OP.

 

No its silver now I'm trying to re-paint it ppw. Hopefully things will go smooth, never messed with 3 stage paint before.

 

Paint match to PPW will not be easy...hell I'm worried about finding a reputable professional bodyshop that I feel comfortable will be able to paint match to even a 9 or 9.5 to PPW.

Best of luck man!

 

Just use a coarse sandpaper, like 300-400 grit to get most of the paint off. When you get down to the fiberglass, start using a lighter 600-800 grit.

It will take a while, so be patient. Quality is what you want, not speed.

If you use an orbital/power sander, you run the risk of sanding in dips, gouges, and putting flat surfaces on long, curved areas... Avoid this if you can.

 

Yea I was using one of those foam sanding blocks at first (like a sponge with glued on sandpaper). Think I'm going to grab some real sand paper this time.

 

For the curves, use your hand with the sandpaper laid out over your hand. This will help fit the contours of any shape a side skirt may throw at you.

A technique I use, is I wrap a 3"x6" or so strip of sandpaper around my middle three fingers and have my pinky and thumb hold the edges against the sides of my fingers to keep it from slipping. Hard to explain, but hopefully you can get the idea.

Just giving an idea/example.

 

Cool, thanks for the help. After work I'm going to go pick up some sand paper and give it another go.

Any idea what color primer I should use when painting it PPW? Or will it not matter since white paint isn't as translucent as some of the other colors like yellow and red?

 

You are wet sanding arent you?? This will make the sanding much easier and make your sandpaper last alot longer. Also you dont have to remove all the paint to repaint them. Just have to sand all the clear off and make sure you have smooth uniform surface. Wetsand with 320 grit first and then move to 600 grit. Then i wouldnt worry about primer but i would get a good gray sealer. You spray the sealer and let it for about a half hour right before you paint your color basecoat. Good luck!!

 

Ahhh, heh I wasn't wet sanding. Well I'll definitely have to give it another shot with a 300 grit wetsand and move up to 600.

 

Just grab yourself a bucket with water and tear a sheet of sandpaper in half and fold each half in 3 sections. Through your paper in the bucket of water and then go to sanding. Just keep it nice and wet and you see how much of a difference it makes. Also make sure to get wet/dry sandpaper.