Paint removal

[Glyn DaviesParticipant @glyndavies49417]

[Glyn DaviesParticipant @glyndavies49417]

Hi. A few years ago I renovated an old Optimus stove (a 111, that is integral with its steel case) by derusting the case, then spraying with aerosol (acrylic?)grey primer, then metallic green, then with clear laquer. The problem has been that all these layers of paint have never really hardened and every time I used the stove, the paint softens and the stove glues itself to whatever surface it is resting on.

So I decided to remove the paint and maybe get the case hot dip galvanised. Or just a flash over with a thin coat of metallic green without primer or laquer.

I liberally daubed the case with paint and varnish remover, hoping that the soft paint would blister and disappear with a blast from the jet wash. No such luck. All the paint remover seems to do is to partially disolve and soften the paint, turning it into goo that is not easy to scrape off to bare metal.

Can anyone suggest a way of effectively removing the paint layers. I assume if I am to get it galvanised, every scrap of paint needs to go. I had wondered about buying some caustic soda and making a concentrated boiling solution that I could dip the case in, but am wary of the hazard involved as well as its effectiveness.

Thanks

[Richard MarksParticipant @richardmarks80868]

Otley

Take it to the local furniture stripper to get rid of the old paint and then spray it with heat resistant paint that is used for woodburners in any colour you like.

Dick

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

In days gone by, Nitromors would do exactly what you hoped.

… Regrettably the recipe was changed a few years ago.

Sorry, I have no idea if there is anything comparable now.

… You will probably need to resort to much scraping.

MichaelG

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

Hi Otley,

Hot concentrated caustic soda will remove most paints very quickly. However, cold 10% solution is also effective but it takes much longer. Immerse the stove overnight and check in the morning. If necessary repeat the treatment.

Make sure there are no aluminium, zinc or soft soldered components as these will dissolve in caustic soda. Most brass is OK although the caustic soda will remove zinc from the surface and the colour will become "coppery".

Mike

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

If you use washing soda, and do the job electroliticly as if you were removing rust, you should get rid of most any type of paint. Make up the mix in a plastic container, use a battery charger, or similar power supply, connect the neg to the work, and pos to a bit of scrapmetal as an electrode. Ian S C

[paul raynerParticipant @paulrayner36054]

I used some spray on mr muscel cleaner and sealed it in a airtight plastic box

had to do it twice but they came up a treat

Paul

[Glyn DaviesParticipant @glyndavies49417]

Thanks for the replies. I used the electrolosis with washing soda method when I first did the renovation to remove the rust from the case and it was quite effective. But won't the paint act as an insulator and stop the process?

As a quick test, I'll pour some hot caustic soda solution into the case tonight and see if anything happens.

[Gordon WassParticipant @gordonwass]

The best way to remove paint, if at all possible , is a blowlamp and wire brush. Acrylic is a bit difficult as it just goes hard and powdery instead of burning, but still comes off.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

If caustic soda doesn't shift it try cellulose thinners.

[Cyril BonnettParticipant @cyrilbonnett24790]

Brake fluid is a good paint remover just leave it soaking for a day or two, my son even uses it to remove the paint off his metal model buses when he changes companies.

[Chris Pattison 1Participant @chrispattison1]

Sand or the more kinder borax blasting might do the trick.

[Author]

Posts