The BEST Way to REMOVE Old Paint! 

I really appreciate the garage work and seeing the results, especially if it doesn’t go as planned. We all can really learn from it.

The older aircraft remover is night and day compared to the new formula. I used to use it to strip fully cured paint on panels and valve covers and it would take it down to the metal in minutes. The new stuff is massively disappointing (although less toxic, but why use it if it doesn't work now).

Recently did all my panels, Took me about 40 minutes to strip a 1986 bonnet, faded factory paint cleaned back to bare metal here in Australia using CAM paint stripper and cling wrap. It fried it like you expected. Contains >60% weight Methylene Chloride.

I'm glad you posted this. I used to use the kleen strip brand and it worked wonders as long as you covered it. Looks like it's only good for removing cheap spray paint now. You saved me some money.

Thank you for this demonstration. Saves me and many others the time and money on chemical paint strippers.

This was a great episode. You answered what I was thinking of wether to chemical strip vs sanding. Plus the rattle can 2 epoxy is how I’ll be doing my approach till I can get a decent compressor and my first spray gun. Thanks for your informative show

Just what I needed to see and perfect timing as I need to strip my wife's 73 Bronco to bare metal to do bodywork and paint. I just bought a Chinese copy of the Eastwood CONTOUR SCT - Surface Conditioning Tool from Amazon with a fiber disc instead of using paint stripper. Mahalo & Aloha!🤙

Yup, I had the same experience 2 years ago with that expensive garage! I followed the directions to a T. I also sanded my WHOLE '65 C10 inside and out down to bare metal. I'm glad it wasn't just me LOL

You doing amazing work bud. I'm a painter myself with the difference that I'm working in general aviation environment. Latest videos shown how much different our departments are. I'm using paint stripper on daily basis so I can't really recommend scuffing up the paint as it's not always work the way we want it. It's all about the product and the application process.

I found the best stripper to be permatex paint and decal remover. They changed the formula but still not terrible. Also the permatex gasket remover works really well too!

I was in aviation my career, and was around a lot of aircraft paint stripping. Believe me, that 'aircraft paint stripper' isn't what's really used to strip aircraft. The stuff they really use will burn you just from the fumes. And, after it sits a while, the paint is falling on the floor in sheets. So far, I've found nothing on the automotive market that works worth a flip on good paint..

Hey Brian , good video. I stripped my corvette with a razor blade. I heard about this but was amazed how well it worked. Once you get a good start it comes off quick. You still have to sand the sharp curves a little . Just vacuum up the chips . NO MESS

Awesome video ! Thanks for the lesson on paint removal it was very enlightening.

I have a feeling the time and materials would pretty much even out or even cost more than that $89 corded Dewalt sander that's listed in the description. Good video on showing how to work smarter and not harder. 👍👊

Surprisingly that paint stripper supposed to get the job done faster but in the end just go back sanding with 80grt. Thank you for the video and we will just sand down too in our workshop in order not to waste time getting paint stripper.

Like to see the difference between trying to strip the paint vs sanding. Another good one!!

Thanks for this video! Would you be willing to go a bit deeper into dialing in your gun? I watched your older 101 video where you went over setting up your gun, but as a beginner, it's difficult to recognize when my PSI or fluid is too high or low. Examples of common defects resulting from improperly dialed settings would be really valuable.

you just confirmed what I was thinking for a while,...these strippers dont work like they used to....also, thanks for doing a "shade tree" approach, more of us relate to that

Brian I must say how happy I am for you with the channel. Every time I watch a new release, your subscribers are growing by the video! Keep up the great work 🍻 it is really paying off. Side note, could you put in the link what that blue masking paper is that you use. Thanks

If it’s lacquer based paint use OVEN CLEANER! The stuff works like full strength paint stripper in 20 minutes on a hot day. It blew my mind when I learned this trick but I swear it works. Get a bunch of cheap stuff from the dollar store and blast away.

Nice video! Appreciate the fact that you tried several ways to strip it and that it didn’t work.

Brian, with all of those good chemicals now missing from the stripper (especially the stuff you get in California now), the stripper has a hard time with catalyzed and baked paints. Great video!

I think sanding with a 80 gritt is the way to go after seeing this video thank you brian great video

Always great tips on this channel. Thanks 👍👍

Thanks a bunch for posting this video. I have a 70 Camaro that I was planning on using Aircraft stripper on but now I have second thoughts. Do you know when they changed the formula on the Aircraft stripper? I bought a can about five years ago and was going to use it. Could give it a try on a small area I guess. Thanks again.

Thanks for the educational vids brotha 👍🏼

Great vid. What grit would you use to remove paint from a plastic bumper cover?

I just used 80/180 Grid with a orbital Sander and I got very good results. Chemicals are worthless in removing old paint. I applied etching primer on the Hood and the surface is very smooth unlike the chemicals which removed the paint in bits and pieces. So useless. I strongly suggest Sanding vs using chemicals.

Loving these videos.

I just used Aircraft stripper to strip a 67 Firebird Convertable. Worked just fine, admittedly not as well as the old formula. I used a brand new unopened gallon and saw paint peeling almost instantly. As I ran out I used the rest of an older can that I had opened for previous projects and noticed it didn't work as well. Perhaps this is helpful?

Hey Brian, here in the UK I know of about 3 brands of paint stripper that you can buy at the moment that actually work. They all burn badly if you splash them onto your skin, so this is a mark that they might work as intended. There is a brand called Nitromors which used to be the best, it is now totally useless. It will not even strip household paint. Unfortunately, you can probably remember that the old paint strippers used to get straight down to bare metal in one application, the new ones that actually do still work need at least 2 applications on car paint finishes.

Can you wet-sand with the random orbital sanders to keep the dust down & don't hafta wear a mask ?

Car with peeling, cracking or clearcoat gone, do I need to sand to metal and primer or prep and use sealer?

Ive been trying to find the best method to remove paint from an old poly bumper. Would you recommend the aircraft stripper on poly or would it be too aggressive? Thanks in advance.

I went through this with an old hood for my 30 A coupe hot rod project, last year. I didn't think about the change in ingredients. I just went about it the way I did years back when it was "good stuff". After using the whole can after a couple attempts and wonder wtf happened, haha, I went manually, too. It needed to be done because the whole hood was oxidized under the paint. I love your channel. It's given me the confidence to do the finish work on this long-term project.

The paint stripper I used about 10 years ago on the boot lid of my fairlane was so fast you couldn't coat half the panel before the paint lifted. I forgot what brand it was, my dad had for a long time before I used it.

You save us alot of bucks. Thanks man

Brian, would you recommend the DeWalt Sander to strip an entire vehicle or the Eastwood contour SCT???

Some states passed regulations that changed the formulations of a lot of paints, paint strippers and solvent based products making them lower voc. I believe that's the reason why the strippers were not as effective.

Nice video: Agree, I tried to strip an airplane nose cone that was painted black. I applied a paint stripper for 12 hrs (not aircraft stripped), it didn’t touch it. I’m returning it (Ez stripper). I’m gonna sand mine as well !

another great informative video; thank,s PJP

Old timer told me to wear earplugs when spraying because it will find its way into the body. His co-worker got ear cancer as a workshop spray painter … he’s ok after treatments. I use full hoodie with balaclava painters net, goggles and earplugs and resp. It’s a bit of a uniform but that forces me to be as efficient as possible with my labour time.

What were you using at 9:06 in the video because that was not 80 grit?

Brian when removing old paint and rust from that Tahoe roof. After taking it to bare metal should I used a rust converter. Like locite extend so that the rust would not come back. Under the new paint

I just used a gallon of the new Aircraft stripper on a dodge hood and it worked great for me .Although it recommends covering it up I did not. I would use it again. It is messy!

The Ultra version of that stripper actually does work. Although cost about $70 a gal, will work with 2K coatings. Fumes will burn eyes and lungs so use outside with protection

I like your chanel than gun man verry well explained thank you sir GodBless.

Can’t wait for the rest of series this weekend. I’m gearing up to repaint my engine bay. Has some light rust spots. Would you recommend strip it down to bare metal (I.e. wire brush or 80/180 grit sandpaper), expoy primer, use filler for any pitting, then sand it all down with 600 grit before prep & painting? It will be a rattle can job BTW. Thanks in advance!

Hey! Do you think you'd be able to make a video specifically for the DIY people out there? The best bang for your buck equipment for people on a budget, and absolutely everything to get their own car painted? Paint gun (I know you have a ton of these vids), Air compressor, Air regulator, paint, etc etc. As well as a walkthrough using all the items? Myself and I'm sure many others would really appreciate something like this!

Any chance you can do a video on how you did the epoxy on you garage floor. Big box store products don't last and end up making a mess.

I bought some aircraft recently and was surprised that it didn't work as well as before i just gave up and just started sanding

That aircraft stripper that you used at the beginning I used the same brand but mine was clear when I poured it out an it worked good I was thinking yours was old or you had a different level of stripper maybe that one was for plastic 🤔 just a thought.

Do I do this to my truck that has peeling paint? Does this mean I have to do the whole truck?

Can I use kleen strip on urethane or plastic bumpers?

I bet your neighbor loves you....rattle can overspray all over their car. hehehe

How come the primer had to be sprayed @ 2" away from the hood ? and not uniform in the directionals I call b.s. . . . .but what do I know.

Thank you for a great video we'll help you.

that is surprising that the aircraft stripper didn't work that well. I used it on my 57 chevy firewall and the paint was coming off on the brush as I applied it. I never covered mine with plastic, I wonder if that it requires more contact with the air to work better??

Interesting video, I just saw another RU-vidr used paint stripper on his Porsche. It seem to work really well, you could actually see the paint is peeling right up 15 minutes after they remove the plastic cover. I wonder if it's just a matter of brand of paint that was used or if it's a matter of brand of stripper. His said aircraft paint stripper I believe. Anyway, I've got a project similar to what you just did coming up. I was going to use a stripper on it now I'm not sure I even want to try.

Id love more tips on projects where you cant do all the work at once or you need to do it in pieces due to space or time constraints. What im gathering is for someone like me. I likely want to strip my body down to bare metal, use epoxy primer, do the body work and primer again each time to keep the parts sealed until paint, where i could just scuff and spray at that point? I dont have a shop to keep my project in during the week so it would be hit with elements until spray time

Started with 40 grit on two different models of orbital sanders from Lowe’s - barely got the clear and base coat off, then tried rust oleum paint stripper from Walmart - let it sit for a day and that seemed to work but disappointed the pint barely covered 20% of the hood - at $35 a pop that’s pretty pricey - I’ll try the orbital sander next

man I love this project......

how about removing the 2 sealant beads along the roof of a 2003 f250? =o i gotta paint my roof, but those beads gotta go

I've had great luck using regular furniture stripper. It crinkled the paint on my truck before my eyes. None of this 'wait 40 minute' bullshit. The thing I liked about it was that it didn't destroy the galvanizing from the sheet metal surface like mechanical paint removal does.

Thanks for the video, I’m convinced the new paint stripping chemicals are not worth the money. Going with a cheap harbor freight surface conditioning tool

I quit using paint stripper years ago I prefer those nylon stripper brushes on a grinder they strip quick down to the metal and don't heat the metal up as much as sandpaper does.

I have The Same Bad Experience with An old stripper can like that. When I boughted New Work like a Charm. Once it Take Air Inside Change Of Color And Lost strenght.

Do you do consultations? I'd like some 1 on 1 help to repaint my Mitsubishi Evolution

I used citristrip on a plastic bumper had to leave it for 24 hours it all came off even with clearcoat fairly new car, 2015 came off super easy with a pressure washer

brake fluid works quite well. (not so much brake cleaner, corrected)

The klean strip aircraft paint stripper always sucked. I've always used rust-oleum aircraft remover. It took the clear coat on my Alcoa wheels off in an hr. It did leave a few tiny spots that needed to be either reapplied or sanded but not as bad as in the video.

This is so frustrating. I have a car that was painted in 1989 with some sort of enamel. When you sand it it melts more than sands, and the paint stripper won’t touch it. Very disappointing. I have two fenders , a trunk lis and a hood and two doors to do . Ugh.

Chemical stripper can be good. Brand makes a big difference. I work in fleet repair. When you get a white Ford that paint is peeling, Pro Form aircraft stripper will get it to bare metal in 1-2 coats without scuffing the paint first. If I did not need to do body work I would then wet on wet paint it the same day. Harder to do that grinding it off. When I was at GM doing paint warranty work in the 90's, we would use 8" 80 grit on the polisher/grinder. You could just use the old style DA that can lock in grinder mode. Chemical on the lacquer, yes GM had lacquer in the 90's, was red. I stripped a Ford grey hood last month, clear was cracking and had 4 layers of paint. 3 were factory as the entire car had 3 layers on panels that had never been painted. I scuffed it with 80 and was about 3 coats. When it works it saves you time because you can go do something else as it wrinkles. I have not tried the plastic trick. I have seen several cars that have been painted more than once at the factory, sometimes it creates a big mess because you get a shiny layer when feathering.

Hey Brian, another great informative video. Question, what is your opinion on painting one panel at a time? I'm looking at painting my car at home and wondered if painting one panel at a time will cause any colour differences or any other issues?

What if you use sand blasting ?

Brian I watched a video of Jon Kosmoski stripping down a Camero. He was using the old school airplane stripper. I am wondering if the compound that has been removed can be purchased separately then added, but if and only if a person was precariously safe therefore not having the worry of acquiring health repercussions in the future. Phillip

can you make repairs over 2k primer, and then use sandable primer over that? Newbie here, thanks for information in your videos.

I use Easy Off oven cleaner on small parts.

How would you remove paint from fiberglass? Like a Corvette!

When I was trying to respray my roof of the civic I ran into this exact problem, ended up just getting the Eastwood sct tool and had it all off in a days work .

I know for a fact the Jasco works well because I'm using it as we speak. Also, it clearly states not to mix with any other chemicals and shake before using

Hey love your channel but i have a few questions...im going to work on my car..Is there any way to contact you?

I think you should have removed the clearcout layer first before applying the paint remover

I think the aviation stripper was too old. If you look at other videos in YT, you'll see that the stuff is yellowish, not brownish. The brown color might be an indication that the can was rusted in the inside and the stripper might have been compromised or weakened.

What is final grit to use before prime and paint ?

Every time after using epoxy primer you should put urethane primer too?

The 80s video game music was amazing

I hear that if the stripper isn't working well, you can throw a few dollar bills at it and it'll work much better. 👌👌

The can of aircraft remover he had was very old. Rust on top of the can is visible in the video. Also aircraft remover is not brown when it comes out of the can it's a clear gel like substance. It needs heat and time to work. I have used it on hot sunny days outside and it doesn't dry out. I think if he had a new can and left it on for over an hour maybe 2 he would have had good results.

For you guys that havent stripped a car to bare metal before you can also you a rotary with a resin 40 grit disk on low speed. Keep is moving and dont press hard. Stripping wheels are fast options also. Strippers are still on the shelves because big box stores want your money and it cost these manufacturers almost nothing to make the stripper now since the chloride is out of it. I have a few theories on why it's still sold but I'll put my tin foil hat back in my pocket 😅😅 good luck on your projects

chlorinated brake cleaner has the old school methylene chloride you are looking for

Hey bro....thank u #🇯🇲

The best paint strippers are Benco Products. I worked at a paint store and that’s all we sold. Benco 15, Benco 17 or Benco 12

apply the remover and if it is a sunny day cover it with plastic and if not then apply heat with a heat gun oh heat lamp works very well

What if i dont want to strip to metal and just want to strip a old and crappy rattle can job to get the factory's paint back shining

Actually you need the direct sunlight to help speed up the chemical process.. I scraped the gel coat off my 13 ft Boston whaler outside in the sun and within 10 minutes it was starting to bubble up

Thanks for the video. It's disgusting that we can't seem to get good paint stripper anymore. I've been repainting stock steel wheels and needed the original grade stripper to get into the tight and highly irregular spots around the lugnut hole faces. The next time I use the inferior stripper ; I'm going to use an electric heat gun on the spots and I think I might be able to literally blister the paint off after the stripper cures for about an hour.

Hey, Brian. Good video that came a day late... I just tried that exact stripper on my bike's ABS part. Stripped the top layer on most part but, it mostly did nothing I expected as it used to be when I last used them. Glad it was on a spare part I bought just to experiment on. My DA sander will be the trick to remove paint now days. Guess you can't believe everything you read.

Cooper's Strip Club? Supposedly works well and is safe.

That company (kleen strip?) has a newer formulation called Aircraft Ultra that looks promising, according to other YT videos.