Removing paint from ribbed stainless steel?

[pickpaul]

I was just looking at a bus for sale but the previous owner had some paint put on the stainless steel sides. I would guess it's a big job to get it back to metal, do body shops do that kind of work? any idea on cost? Any info would be great.

[neverlearn]

The cool thing about paint is that it can cover up some nasty problems.
The bad thing about paint is that it can cover up some nasty problems.

Unfortunately, you don't know what is under the paint - the possible reason why it is painted.
You could get lucky and the reason could just have been preference for paint over stainless.  You won't know for certain until the paint is stripped (although you can get some hints by looking from the back of the baggage doors at the skins).

To directly answer your question: any body shop which will work on the bus can strip the paint.  The procedures can vary, although I would imagine chemical strip or soda blasting are the preferred methods.  I would be leery of someone sanding the paint off as the heat generated could scorch the stainless (and if too aggressive, leave swirls).  Once the paint is off (and assuming the metal is undamaged), you may want the stainless polished somewhat as it is likely dulled from an etching primer.

As for cost, I can speculate - but would rather someone else with more relevant knowledge weigh-in.

[pickpaul]

To clarify, doesn't look like a cover up rather a design swirly line thing they went with.

[Skykingrob]

Paul
I had the paint removed from my Prevost, the usual 3' strip down the center sides by soda blasting, took 3.5 hours labor and was charged $800 for it.
The other poster is right, I had two very deep gouges that I didn't know about until after the paint and body putty was blasted away.

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri

[chart1]

The paint will come off if you folllow the polishing directions for polishing you stainless. I had some paint on mine , like your a part of a stripe. when I polished the stainlees it just took a little longer with the coarse cutting polish.