Side Cover Prep

Was thinking in advance here, but will be refinishing my side covers when I do the tank at the same time.

The paint on the side covers is actually in pretty good shape. The problem is in the clear coat. It has a lot of small holes in it. Not sure what exposure did that, but it's been sitting for 15 years. Anyway, it looks tacky.

So, the question is, how do I prep these for new paint?
Am I looking at removing the clear coat or filling in/sanding the holes smooth. If filled, what material would one use?

I would take them all the way down to bare plastic. I had a set that I painted for my bike, and unbeknownst to me at one time they had been repaired and primered with the old style red lead primer. I sprayed some new epoxy on the old color after sanding and primering, and about six weeks later the epoxy lifted right off-in sheets.If u know whats under the paint I would get the clear off, spray with adhesion promoter,then primer,then color then clear.Others here may have a solution to the clear pitting but Ive never had any luck trying to go over clear with anything that lasted.Most good body shops fix clear pitting and peeling on newer cars by completely stipping the piece down to bare metal/plastic,prepping and starting all over.






"Thats not spinach in my teeth,thats a bug---yummy."bj

Take it all the way down, that way you know you will not have adhesion problems going over 15 year old paint

OK, then, down to plastic we go.

Any advice on the easiest way to get there?
Is there a solvent which does paint and not plastic?

A related funny makes me want to try anti-freeze, according to the WARNING!!label it'll take paint right off.

Brake fluid will work and I believe the auto paint shops have a stripper that will take the paint off and not damage the plastic.

A new, soft paint brush,a used cookie sheet and time is about all you'll need.

Did a quick Google on "plastic stripper" and came up with this: reviews.ebay.com/STRIPPING-PLASTIC-MODEL...idZ10000000001784961

Guy uses "Purple Power" Degreaser to strip and restore plastic models.

...might give it a try if no one here has a better option.

He added a note at the bottom that PP will not work on lacquer paint. Is the original KZ paint lacquer?

Spray on aircraft stripper will turn it to jelly one layer at a time. It will soften the plasic if you are not careful. I usually use it to get it down to the primer then sandblast. I have found a fine sand will rough it up perfect for adhesion. Just wear protective clothing and do not let it get on you it is very nasty stuff. I have sanded them down before too both methods work well

Wulp, for those following here, the Purple Power didn't even mar the clear coat as far as I can tell, but it's cheap enough, $6/gal. Cleaned it up pretty good.

I did just brush coat it repeatedly for 10 minutes or so, though. Maybe it needs to sit overnight or such.

But, I really am after something a lot more immediate.