Club Cobra - Best way to strip paint off of fiberglass (firewall)

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Best way to strip paint off of fiberglass (firewall)

Well, I am going to start-up the process of finishing this car (and hopefully have it running by fall)....

Anyways sometime ago, I had someone spray my firewall to get a reflective chrome finish. He said he knew of some automotive paint that would give me what I wanted and assured me that it would not smuge like the spray paint cans you can buy in stores.
Well the son-of-***** used the bloody spray cans and lied to me... Leaving me with a reflective paint job that would smuge when touched... Then to add insult to injury, the paint ripple because ti was put on so heavily. :mad:

Well after that I let the thing sit cause it caused me so much anger....

With a new summer, I want to strip the paint off that firewall, repaint it (black is fine) and get the rest of the car built...

Can people here give me suggestions on what's the best/easeist way to strip off the paint with out damaging the gel-coat of the fiber glass.

Oh yeah, I really need the encouragement to get this thing going.

Thanks....

Sounds like he used a cheap paint. Try lacquer thinner on a rag and see if it will wipe off. My bet is it will.

Agree with Bruce. Lacquer thinner on a rag, or scotchbrite pad will take off the paint. MEK (methylethylketone) if the lacquer thinner won't work.

That being said, a few tips.

Either of these, LQ, or MEK are more flammable than gasoline!!! And fiberglass is pretty flammable once started. So do the job in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors. No smoking, and no lit pilot lights from water heaters nearby. And keep a fire extinguisher handy. The actual stripping should go pretty fast.

Put a mat, or lots of newspaper under the firewall area to catch the stripped paint.

Consider wearing some rubber gloves for the job, or the stripper will dry your skin.