I’ve managed to strip almost every bit of paint from the
beetle. After reviewing many videos on Youtube, I decided to go back to
chemicals to remove the paint. The grinder is just too exhausting.
For the task I've used a few gallons of Klean-Strip Aircraft Paint Remover. The new
sheet metal that came with a protective coating were simple. Just put on
aircraft paint remover and scrub off with a green pad or other coarse pad such
as Brillo. The fenders, body and anything with 40 years of old paint on top of
old paint required multiple applications.
The 1969 VW Beetle had about 4 different colors from shades
of green, blue, and red. For the fenders and doors, I eventually needed a grinder with wire brush to get
of the mounds of body putty. These body fillers were used primarily to fill in
dents that I could easily pound out with my Wilmar Hammer and Dolly set.
.That’s the benefit of a total vehicle tear
down. I can actually get to all areas and not worry about taping off areas or
messing anything up. Some of the body filler covered torn metal.
I used my new found welding skill to weld over any torn
areas. The grinding skill I picked up helped smooth out the welds.
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| Fenders were once green, and blue, and red..... |
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| After removing paint, had to grind putty. |
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| Holes in door to be repaired. |
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| Another tear to weld |
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| A big tear in the fender |
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| After welding and grinding. Nice and smooth |
