Safe Paint Removal

I have an extra set of Original Z900 sidecovers with a couple coats of paint on them. What is the best way to remove the old paint. Thanks gregz

Sand Sand Sand paper!

YES I Concure SAND AND SAND, I have also used a sandblasting cabinet with fine ground walnut shels.

I tried the brake fluid method. Worked quite well, actually.

I created a "bowl" with foil which allowed me to shape it around the side cover and minimize the amount of brake fluid needed to cover it all. I then put that in an oil pan, just in case I sprung a leak. I then let it soak for about 2 days. By then, all the paint had bubbled up, and just slid right off.

I saw others caution against this method saying that some residual fluid may get trapped in the plastic and percolate out after repainting, causing flaws in the new paint.

I made sure I cleaned it very well. I soaked them in a diluted Simple Green solution. Afterwards, I ran them through a couple cycles in the dishwasher, and it seemed to do a good job of making sure no residual brake fluid was left.

If you are looking for something that is brush on, wipe/scrape off, then you may try using a product called "Aircraft Paint Remover".
Surprisingly, this schtuff is available at Walmart in cans. We usually buy the gallon sized cans but you may be able to get it in smaller quantities.

Just wear rubber gloves and spread-out newspapers to work on because the "fall out" is messy.

It brushes onto the painted surface and almost instantly the paint begins to bubble, wrinkle and deteriorate before your eyes.
You then simply scrape or wipe off the loosened paint (hence the newspaper spread on the floor). If you have multiple coats, you may have to re-apply a second time.

As with previous chemical-system warnings, you will have to wash and rinse the parts well afterwards to avoid any problems with body fillers, primers or paints later but normally good old dish detergent and water will do it just fine.

wrenchmonkey wrote:

If you are looking for something that is brush on, wipe/scrape off, then you may try using a product called "Aircraft Paint Remover".

Uh, I definitely would not use this on plastic side covers. :S

That stuff is for metal parts only. :blink: