Work in a well-ventilated area. Outside is best. If you’re in a garage, keep the door open. Spread a sheet under the car to catch any falling debris.
You can buy or rent sanders from a hardware store. You can also use a grinder. This strips the paint off much faster. However, it can also damage the metal. Always keep the grinder moving and don’t hover over one spot to avoid denting the bare metal. Another option is sanding by hand, without an electric sander. This is extremely time-consuming, but you will save money. Also, sanding by hand is a better option if you own a classic car to avoid damaging the body. Use a sanding block at the same grit levels as you use for the electric sander.
If the car has only been painted once, you’ll see the white primer and then bare metal. If there are multiple paint layers, spend more time on each section to strip it away. Some spots may be tougher than others. If the paint won’t come off in one spot, keep the sander there for a few seconds to work the paint off. Replace the sandpaper when it gets too dull. You’ll notice that it doesn’t strip the paint as well after a while. This means it’s time for a new piece of paper.
Spread a sheet inside your car to protect the interior from dust and debris. If there are tight areas at angles you can’t reach, try using a sand block on these spots instead.
Remember to wipe the car down in-between each sanding session. This process removes small sections of oxidation and rust that you can’t see with the naked eye. Leaving these on the car’s surface could damage a new paint layer over time.
For a faster job, you can also wipe the car down with mineral spirits rather than wash it with soap and water. Once all the paint is off and the car is clean, continue with painting the car. If you’re going to paint the car, apply primer as soon as the car is dry to prevent rusting.
Don’t use a sheet that you want to use again. The chemicals and paint remnants will ruin it. Paint stripper produces fumes, so work outside or in a garage with the door open.
If you’re not stripping paint from the whole car, then cover painted areas as well.
If you get any paint stripper on your skin, run the area under cold water for 5 minutes. If you get any in your eye or mouth, contact poison control right away.
Don’t try to strip off all the paint with this sanding. It only has to disturb the surface so the chemicals can soak in better.
Automotive paint stripper is available at hardware and auto stores. If you can’t find the right product, ask an employee for assistance. Check the surface area that 1 container of the stripper will cover. Get more if this isn’t enough to cover your car. Always read the instructions on the product before using it. Follow those directions if they differ from the ones given here.
You don’t have to tape the plastic down. It sticks to the paint stripper. If the product label tells you to let the paint stripper sit for a different amount of time, follow those instructions.
Just push the stripped paint off and onto the floor. This is what the plastic sheet was for. Some spots might require a bit more scraping. Rub back and forth a few times if any paint is still stuck. Put all the plastic sheets in a garbage bag and seal it. Contact your local trash collection agency to check if you should place in the regular trash or save it for a hazardous waste pickup. They will likely ask you the main ingredients, so have the packaging nearby to check. [14] X Research source
After you wipe all the chemicals and paint residue off, remove the tape and plastic from the car. Don’t use any solvent or other chemicals to wipe off the paint stripper. Mixing other chemicals could produce toxic fumes.
Use a dual-action sander to make this job much easier. However, you can sand by hand if you don’t have a sander.
