Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!

Subject: "Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"

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Jeremy_1967_VespaSS180
Member since Nov-25-04
42 posts

Dec-15-06, 08:11 PM (EDT)

"Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"

Restoration Newbie needs advice . . .

I was given some Bix Spray-On Stripper with the SS180 when we bought it. I have 3 coats of it on the tail light mounting bracket and let me just say that the paint is winning in my war against it. I need to strip the tail light and shifter as well. Didn't send it to the medium blaster with the body and now I need to play catch up this weekend to get these parts to the painter.

1) Can I use a fine grit (maybe 250) sandpaper and sand the paint off? Then follow up with some 400 grit to polish it up?

2) Any suggestions for removing the tail light plug from the tail light. The copper cylinder that holds the plug in place will not budge. Would it be better for me to just tape it up after I strip the paint?

Jeremy

Jeremy Sutton
www.vesparestoration.blogspot.com
1967 Vespa SS 180 (1/2 way restored)
1963 Lambretta TV 175 (in peices)
2002 Bajaj Chetak
Three Mile Island Scooter Club,
PA

RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, Jwilliams, Dec-15-06, 08:37 PM, (1)
RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, Eric1110, Dec-15-06, 09:43 PM, (2)
- RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, manwellBTS, Dec-15-06, 09:48 PM, (3)
  - RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, SpiritOf_69, Dec-16-06, 01:05 AM, (4)
    - RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, manwellBTS, Dec-16-06, 08:09 AM, (6)
RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!, Kyle, Dec-16-06, 05:28 AM, (5)

Jwilliams
Member since Aug-7-05
385 posts

Dec-15-06, 08:37 PM (EDT)

1. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #0

Maybe your spray-on goop is old. Try one of those jell-type stripper from your local hardware store. Just use gloves and don't get it in your eyes.

I had good results for all the painted surfaces I didn't want blasted, such as front hub components and anything aluminum. I worked over newspaper and when the goop did its job, most everything just rubbed off with paper towels. Roll up the papers when you are done and wipe everything down with acetone to prep the surface for painting.

Jim Williams
'60 Allstate VNB
Half Moon Bay, CA

Eric1110
Member since Jul-28-06
4 posts

Dec-15-06, 09:43 PM (EDT)

2. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #0

I used regular gel stripper you buy at the hardware store for furniture. I found the key to making it really work well was to lay down a glop of stripper and cover it with saran wrap or a plastic bag. A warm room to strip in also helps (You rarely see strippers in a cold room. Have you ever noticed that.)

Good luck.

manwellBTS
Member since Nov-6-05
108 posts

Dec-15-06, 09:48 PM (EDT)

3. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #2

You can buy aircraft paint stripper at an auto supply store. Strips everything down to metal. Use a razor after 15 minutes. Check out the results at my blog:

http://vespaallstate.blogspot.com/

SpiritOf_69
Member since Feb-23-05
432 posts

Dec-16-06, 01:05 AM (EDT)

4. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #3

take it to the blaster. all that paint removal stuff doesnt work worth a sit on 35+ year old paint.

250 isnt very fine grit sand paper either.

1969

manwellBTS
Member since Nov-6-05
108 posts

Dec-16-06, 08:09 AM (EDT)

6. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #4

How about 54 year old paint gone in 10 minutes.

Kyle
Member since Jun-6-02
3237 posts

Dec-16-06, 05:28 AM (EDT)

5. "RE: Damn Ol'Paint get off my scoot!"
In response to message #0

Take it to the Blaster and explain the urgency. Throw a couple extra bucks his way and get it done.

Go rent a compressor/blaster for the weekend and do it yourself.
(Though it might be cheaper to pay a pro)

I bought my outside blaster for $12 at walmart. Not real high tech but it gets the job done.

Just be sure to mask off anything and I mean ANYTHING you don't want blasted.

Good luck

Kyle

Posting from New Zealand