I've always used aircraft remover, not sure if anything else really works as good. You could get the liquid type to totally submerge the car instead of the spray can type, I like it a little more, seems to really get most of the paint off better. As far as rinsing the cars off, what I do in winter is use one of those pump style bug and weed killer sprayers you find at lowes for like 20 bucks. I fill it with hot water and use it to spray the cars off, since the hose is most likely frozen in winter! Remember to bring it back inside after you are done though, because it will freeze too and mess up the manual hand pump!

 

Go to walmart, in the paint stripper section and get a can on the Klean Strip Premium Stripper. This is what I've always used. Also buy a box of rubber gloves as this will burn you if you get it on you and don't wash it off. Wet the car down before applying the stripper and then let it set for about a 20-30 minutes. Simply wash it off after that. I use a Soap Pad Steel Wool pad to help get the paint/wrap off. Sometimes I have to do it twice, but it works great.

 

I've always used aircraft remover, not sure if anything else really works as good. You could get the liquid type to totally submerge the car instead of the spray can type, I like it a little more, seems to really get most of the paint off better. As far as rinsing the cars off, what I do in winter is use one of those pump style bug and weed killer sprayers you find at lowes for like 20 bucks. I fill it with hot water and use it to spray the cars off, since the hose is most likely frozen in winter! Remember to bring it back inside after you are done though, because it will freeze too and mess up the manual hand pump!

Thanks if the sprayer works would a parts washer work as well. I thought about buying one for this reason. I am surprise that a sprayer has enough pressure to wash the paint. Thank you again and I will keep this option in mind.

 

this is what I do to strip my cars, I buy Klean Strip Premium Stripper a empty one gallon paint can. pure some stripper into the paint can. then I place the car into the can and put the lid on it. let it sit there over night or for couple of hours. the fumes from the stripper will take off the paint of the car. plus the best part is that you can reuse the stripper again if you put the lid back on. one thing of paint stripper can strip about 30 cars or so.

 

this is what I do to strip my cars, I buy Klean Strip Premium Stripper a empty one gallon paint can. pure some stripper into the paint can. then I place the car into the can and put the lid on it. let it sit there over night or for couple of hours. the fumes from the stripper will take off the paint of the car. plus the best part is that you can reuse the stripper again if you put the lid back on. one thing of paint stripper can strip about 30 cars or so.

I did the same thing awhile back while stripping over 50 sets of antique door hinges that must of had at least 5 coats of paint on them. I put a piece of screen in the can. After every couple sets of hinges were stripped, I would pull the screen out, clean all the old paint off it, and put it back. Kept the stripper clean and all the crap out of the can. Hardly any junk in the stripper after I had finished all the hinges. Worked great for keeping the stripper clean.

 

Some solid advice here...now I know what I will be doing this winter.

 

ALWAYS make sure it is an all metal paint can!

 

Heres what I use...... Citristrip. NO harsh fumes at all..... and smells like an orange. Works very good and for indoor use its perfect. I got this (I believe) at Lowes, but I'm sure you can probably get it anywhere. Spray this all over a car and it will be stripped in 15 minutes or so..... depends on how much you apply. Just another avenue to try. I'll be doing the same this winter, so have fun w/ your projects!!

 

Thanks if the sprayer works would a parts washer work as well. I thought about buying one for this reason. I am surprise that a sprayer has enough pressure to wash the paint. Thank you again and I will keep this option in mind.

Parts washers are more for oil and grease removal, not really paint, they will also leave a residue from the cleaning agents on the diecast body. I wouldn't reccomend doing this really. Diecast metal is pretty porous, meaning it has thousands of microscopic holes in it. The cleaning agents could possibly get down in these holes. Depending on what type of cleaning chemicals used, even the strongest degreaser may not be able to get the parts washer chemicals off or out of the body. This will result in a situation where the primers and paints used will not "grab" onto the body, resulting in orange peel when applied.

 

Parts washers are more for oil and grease removal, not really paint, they will also leave a residue from the cleaning agents on the diecast body. I wouldn't reccomend doing this really. Diecast metal is pretty porous, meaning it has thousands of microscopic holes in it. The cleaning agents could possibly get down in these holes. Depending on what type of cleaning chemicals used, even the strongest degreaser may not be able to get the parts washer chemicals off or out of the body. This will result in a situation where the primers and paints used will not "grab" onto the body, resulting in orange peel when applied.

Thank you for the information. I didn't know that about the diecast being porous. I was thinking more of filling the washer up with just water and continuing to use the aircraft stripper.

 

this is what I do to strip my cars, I buy Klean Strip Premium Stripper a empty one gallon paint can. pure some stripper into the paint can. then I place the car into the can and put the lid on it. let it sit there over night or for couple of hours. the fumes from the stripper will take off the paint of the car. plus the best part is that you can reuse the stripper again if you put the lid back on. one thing of paint stripper can strip about 30 cars or so.

Do you need to wash off anything

 

Do you need to wash off anything

Washing the car down after using any stripper is always recommended. You don't want any residue from that stuff.

 

Washing the car down after using any stripper is always recommended. You don't want any residue from that stuff.

would you say the stripper in the paint can over night method need a spray down wash (like washing your car) or more of a rinsing off (like washing a dish off).

 

would you say the stripper in the paint can over night method need a spray down wash (like washing your car) or more of a rinsing off (like washing a dish off).

Any stripping I have done on any metal I have washed with soap and water, then give it a good rinse to get all residue of stripper off.

 

this is what I do to strip my cars, I buy Klean Strip Premium Stripper a empty one gallon paint can. pure some stripper into the paint can. then I place the car into the can and put the lid on it. let it sit there over night or for couple of hours. the fumes from the stripper will take off the paint of the car. plus the best part is that you can reuse the stripper again if you put the lid back on. one thing of paint stripper can strip about 30 cars or so.

Got everything to try this method. Was wondering how much stripper to put in roughly and do you put the lid on tight or just sit it on. Thanks again for all the help have a safe and Merry Christmas.

 

Got everything to try this method. Was wondering how much stripper to put in roughly and do you put the lid on tight or just sit it on. Thanks again for all the help have a safe and Merry Christmas.

I only put like maybe enough to fill the bottom of the empty paint can. it will also help if you put the can on an angle so some of the stripper don't get on the car too much. this method will for many cars. you can even put 2 cars inside if they fit when it sealed tight.

 

I only put like maybe enough to fill the bottom of the empty paint can. it will also help if you put the can on an angle so some of the stripper don't get on the car too much. this method will for many cars. you can even put 2 cars inside if they fit when it sealed tight.

Would say about an inch or two of stripper. Thank you again.

 

Would say about an inch or two of stripper. Thank you again.

No more then an inch inside. no matter how much you put it, it will get reused over and over again. just make sure its sealed when the car is inside and when not in used as well

 

Any stripping I have done on any metal I have washed with soap and water, then give it a good rinse to get all residue of stripper off.

Great advice Jerry! I am of the same school of thought! A good scrubbing with a soft oven cleaning pad, soapy/hot water, hot water rinse and at least 24 hours to air dry. If you have a dehydrator, that works like a charm and cuts the drying time by a lot. One of those small knuckle/nail cleaning brushes works well, especially when you need to get to the corners and tight spots in the inside of the body. I always buff the exterior with an old cotton towel after it's dry to remove any remaining residue. Makes a huge difference when you start laying down primer & paint. Great Posts Everyone!