Paint removal from plastic fender? Help Please!

[MRSOUND]

I know Ben....Unless I'm at a bachelor party the word stripper just scares me.... only because I'm ignorant to paint related processes(removal or application). The front fender has a thick coat of red paint on it and maybe I'll try the remover you suggested on that on that. I'm a complete virgin when it comes to this so I tend to lean on the cautious side. I've heard too many horror stories related to plastic and "stripper" solutions. No disrespect intended on not utilizing your suggestion. I realize it may cost me more time and money in the long run. But regardless I do appreciate your feedback!

[just ben]

I know Ben....Unless I'm at a bachelor party the word stripper just scares me.... only because I'm ignorant to paint related processes(removal or application). The front fender has a thick coat of red paint on it and maybe I'll try the remover you suggested on that on that. I'm a complete virgin when it comes to this so I tend to lean on the cautious side. I've heard too many horror stories related to plastic and "stripper" solutions. No disrespect intended on not utilizing your suggestion. I realize it may cost me more time and money in the long run. But regardless I do appreciate your feedback!

I wasnt saying that how i strip paint on plastic is any better than any other way. maybe cheaper. but like I said if you are happy with the results,thats what counts

[MRSOUND]

I'm all about cheaper & easier. And I'm serious about trying the stripper on the front fender. My cost & time initially posted does not include the 15 minute drive to and from the car wash X2(another hr total + gas). I'd been more satisfied if all the paint came off but, like I said maybe I'm a little too cautious.

[MRSOUND]

Ok...After about 5 hrs of wet sanding with 230 grit I have very short finger nails and 99% of the paint removed from my fender. Some areas had as much as 4 coats (all different colors) still on in some spots. (I don't think I mentioned it is off a '84 klt 110). The rest is down in scratches and gouges which the paint removal revealed.

Humble side note: ben - wow if the plastic paint stripper you mentioned works it would be well worth the price. I will try it on the front fender when I get to it.

Next, over the coming weeks I will work on sanding/polishing to remove as many scuffs and scratches as possible and hopefully return a nice finish to this fender by using the techniques outlined in the following thread posted by chainsaw.
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr....-How-to-guide

Lots more work ahead!

Here is the evolution of my fender so far.

[just ben]

lookin good and your getting there. the paint stripping is the easy part,the sanding and polishing is the real fun of it. keep us posted and have fun LOL!

[honda200x1987]

I see you finally got the paint removed! It is a pain in the rear to get off, I have always had good luck using "Super Clean" degreaser. I just spray it on let it set for a few min then it starts to bubble up. It all depends on what kind of paint is on the fenders , sometimes you have to repeat and set overnite in some cases. It absolutley does not damage the plastic at all period, incase someone want to try it out. It works.

[MRSOUND]

There is just so many contours on those rear fenders. Alot of the time factor removing the remaining paint i think was due to my inexperience as much as anything else. Making myself constantly flush the sandpaper in water, (it really does make a difference!) finding the right angle for each contour, finding objects to wrap the sandpaper around to fit the contours. Hope I can do the rest a little more efficiently and do a decent job at the same time. Fingers are literally sore from sanding. Started wearing a glove on my hand so I wasn't wearing anymore of my fingernails away!

[jays375]

You should have used paint stripper and the garden hose.No need to be afraid.

[honda200x1987]

How do you plan on polishing them up after sanding?

There is just so many contours on those rear fenders. Alot of the time factor removing the remaining paint i think was due to my inexperience as much as anything else. Making myself constantly flush the sandpaper in water, (it really does make a difference!) finding the right angle for each contour, finding objects to wrap the sandpaper around to fit the contours. Hope I can do the rest a little more efficiently and do a decent job at the same time. Fingers are literally sore from sanding. Started wearing a glove on my hand so I wasn't wearing anymore of my fingernails away!

[MRSOUND]

As far as polishing I ended up getting Meguiar's fine cut polish. Chainsaw had recommended 3M brand but advanced auto didn't have it. I'll probably do the karate kid method of application, "wax on, wax off" since I'm not versed with a buffing wheel. I do have a dremmel as well as an air die grinder that attachments could be added but I again do not know the process for buffing/polishing with these or the proper materials to be used.

[jays375]

There is great info on plastic refinishing on here.Hate tot burst your bubble but you have a long road ahead.A dremmel and air powered die grinder isn't going to cut it.It is a long and time consuming process.If you skip a step your results will show.I would practice on the front fender first.Hope you didn't use really aggressive grit paper to remove that paint.

[MRSOUND]

I hear ya Jay. I don't plan on skipping any steps. Hoping to prove the average Joe (or Mike in my case) can refurbish their plastic. As far as the dremmel/die grinder thats why I was asking. I don't own a buffer and just wanted to know if there was any adapters for these to help in the buffing process only. If not, well I'm still gonna follow through and do it by hand. I used 230 grit to remove the paint(in earlier post). I figured I wouldn't go any courser than what the recommended starting grit was for the scratches. After seeing what it took to just remove the paint and the depth and amount of scratches on this fender after the paint was removed is why also mentioned in an earlier post in the coming "weeks" I would work on it. I know I'm in for a haul.

[Afrothunderkat]

need to do this to my 2nd set of tri-moto plastics, good info

[badass350x]

You should have used paint stripper and the garden hose.No need to be afraid.

That's what I had said! Done it so many times and never had any issues!! The hard part is the sanding like many others have stated already!

[Yamaha_Rules69]

http://www.paintremover.com/827-3312...FRECQAodRhoOow

I tried this product on my rear fenders. Too bad I didnt let you know sooner. This stuff is the safest stripper, and does nothing to the plastics, heck its even biodegradable. I gave it a good coat or two with this stuff, and let it sit overnight, then it washed the peeled paint off with the garden hose. This stuff works wonders for sure. I picked it up at the local hardware store, runnings, but others may carry it also.