Stripping paint from Stainless Steel

FolkBus · January 30, 2014, 03:59:32 PM

Hi all,

I've been watching the polishing stainless thread and now have an idea of what is involved. Thanks. HOWEVER the PO painted the stainless sides and I would like to strip and polish the body. MC-5A with an 11" roof pop.

Any thoughts for stripping the paint and not scaring the stainless??

Than--Mike

luvrbus · January 30, 2014, 04:14:01 PM

A good air craft paint stripper and a power washer will do the job for you

good luck

PP · January 31, 2014, 04:26:01 PM

Luvrbus's approach is probably going to be the simplest and quickest. I'm just curious why the previous owner would paint stainless vs polishing it and what the stainless looks like underneath the paint. It sounds like a 'fun' project, good luck,
Will

Utahclaimjumper · January 31, 2014, 06:42:58 PM

You may find "bondo" in many places under the paint and other surprises,, a common reason for painting.>>>Dan

FolkBus · February 01, 2014, 07:14:54 AM

Yeah,

I think painting Stainless is not the best thing either. But this coach was converted in the early -mid 80's and thought were a bit different then. I have pictures taken during the conversion and it looks like there should not be any bondo. So I'm hoping for 'few' surprises when the paint comes off before the 'shine' goes on.

Utahclaimjumper · February 01, 2014, 08:26:54 AM

GOOD LUCK!!>>>D

Seangie · February 01, 2014, 09:18:35 AM

Take lots of pics! If we don't see it, it never happened!

Fulltiming somewhere in the USA
1984 Eagle 10S
www.herdofturtles.org

lvmci · February 01, 2014, 05:09:27 PM

Hi Mike, I have a 5A also, also converted in 1987, in Salmon Arm Canada, Designer Coach, now out of business, but still a couple of conversion companies there. Mine also was entirely painted an aluminum color, with a stripe of the lady country/western singers stage colors. Dont know why it was painted, but they sure did a good job on the conversion, lvmci...

gus · February 01, 2014, 07:28:03 PM

I thought MC5s were Al? What do I know, I'm a GM guy??

If it is SS it probably has stains or holes as earlier posted. It is a myth that SS is stainless, depends on the alloy mix and even the best stuff can stain from acid.

Larry B · February 01, 2014, 07:41:47 PM

My bus a 5B had paint on the stainless above the bay doors. The paint was starting to peel in places, so I desided to repaint. I removed old paint like Clifford mentioned I used stripper and pressure washer. Under the paint I found 5 or maybe six spots of bondo where small scraps had happened. I also found that before painting a power sander had been taken to the stainless to get a good paint bond. To polish to make it shine would have been a major undertaking and I would still have bondo spots. Needless to say mine got repainted. Be prepared for surprizes, good luck.
Larry B