Paint Strip to Bare Metal - The Easy Way
I discovered this paint stripping method by accident.
I remove rust from parts by electrolysis, a weak baking soda solution in a plastic tub. The work is submerged & connected to the negative of a battery charger. Another electrode, piece of scrap metal, is added and connected to the positive.
The metal heat shield of my K100 was rusted and I decided to repaint it. I left it in my de-rust tub overnight. Running it for 12 hours does no harm, because the metal is not affected, only the rust.
When I removed it from the tub the next morning, would you believe, the paint had been lifted!
I remove rust from parts by electrolysis, a weak baking soda solution in a plastic tub. The work is submerged & connected to the negative of a battery charger. Another electrode, piece of scrap metal, is added and connected to the positive.
The metal heat shield of my K100 was rusted and I decided to repaint it. I left it in my de-rust tub overnight. Running it for 12 hours does no harm, because the metal is not affected, only the rust.
When I removed it from the tub the next morning, would you believe, the paint had been lifted!
Here's my rust converter/paint remover set-up. Be careful the work does not touch the other electrode. I use about half a cup of baking soda to 25 litres of water. I had to do the process twice for this piece, because it is so long. First do one half. Then turn it around and submerge the other half. The photo was taken after I'd done the one half.
The heat shield had been painted with 2K on the outside and NS4 only on the inside. I noticed that the NS4 lifted much easier than the 2K. So when I did the second half I softened the 2K with thinners and wire brushed the surface some. I figured the NS4 lifts easier because it is more porous, so to assist the process on the 2K side, make it soft and break the surface in places.
I'm not sure it is necessary to soften 2K or that it speeds up the process.
I'm not sure it is necessary to soften 2K or that it speeds up the process.
It scrapes off easily.
Rinse with water. Wire brush. Then wire wool. The remaining black is not paint, it's converted rust. I have no problem with that - I have painted over the converted rust on other pieces and it is stable.
What is particularly nice about this stripping method is that the paint is removed effortlessly from the hollows and recesses. If you use sandpaper or other abrasion methods you struggle to get to deep areas and some metal is removed from the high areas. Also, no scratches.
What is particularly nice about this stripping method is that the paint is removed effortlessly from the hollows and recesses. If you use sandpaper or other abrasion methods you struggle to get to deep areas and some metal is removed from the high areas. Also, no scratches.