Just wondering if there's any way to strip the paint off painted fender flares to get them looking like stock flares? Maybe there's some sort of chemical stripper that won't affect the plastic (poly?) underneath.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
-- Wry-mouth '01 TJ (with painted flares)
Spot test on the inside of the flare. You can get a gallon of "Strip-X" from The Home Depot for $13.95 where I live. I wonder though if your flares were sanded or otherwise prepped to get paint to stick to them. :o(
Earle
You might want to try Eazy-Off oven cleaner. Its used on fiberglass boats all the time to remove lettering, etc. and doesnt hurt the fiberglass beneath. Put the mix of EazyOff on the surface, add a bit of water, cover with saran wrap, wait for the paint to lift. Sand away the remaining paint shadows with 1300 or 2000 grit wet and dry paper. I'd test such a method first to be sure that there is no chem reaction with the flare. Most polymers are chemically compatible with inorganic solvents: caustics, acids,etc. but will readily dissolve/soften in organic solvents found in paint strippers: MEK, Ethylene Chloride, etc.
Alternate: Remove the flare and immerse in warm water. A long term soak in warm water will "lift" the paint from the surface. Problem is that it will take up to a few weeks for the paint to release.
On 'plastic' surface if you are really committed to a chemical organic stripper ... and all the risks of dissolving the base plastic, consider to dilute the stripper with mineral spirits. Start out with 25% stripper and 75% sprits, see what happens and continue to increase the strength by adding more stripper until you reach a % that will remove the paint but not destroy the 'plastic'.
Go to an auto paint supply store. They make aerosol paint strippers specially designed not to hurt plastic parts.
For what it's worth, I have been stripping the paint in my kitchen down to the wood work this summer, using the $13.95/gallon stuff from The Home Depot, and I have yet to damage any plastic tool handles. If your fender flares are made of the same stuff as screw driver handles or eyeglass lenses, this stuff won't hurt them.
Earle
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