Hey guys, I just got a new pair of Smittybilt XRC fender flares. My plan from the start was to paint these to match the body color and it even states on the product description that they can be painted out of the box. So, upon receiving them today in the mail, I didn't waste any time to call my local paint shop to see if they could fit me in this weekend. At that point they informed me that they can't paint over the textured powder coating because the paint won't stick. So, that's my problem.

Now I"m looking to remove the powder coating on the flares, but I don't want to sink another few hundred dollars to have them sand blasted, then pay to have them painted on top of that. So, I need some help resolving this problem. I've search the forum and haven't found much to go off of. I'd like to find a chemical product that could remove the powder coat, but my concerns are damaging the metal. The flares are steel, but it's not super thick. The one thing I've found that someone suggested was Permatex Gasket Remover and I also saw someone use Aircraft Remover on youtube. I'm pretty bummed after finding out this process isn't going to go as smoothly as i'd planned and will involve extra funds, but it is what it is and needs to be done. If anyone can help me out with this I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Hey William,

The only experience I had in getting rid of powder coating was when I had some Superlift suspension recoated red because their factory coating sucked. I had company burn it off before new coating was applied. That was per coating company and held up great.

 

He's right .it has to be burnt off

 

I removed the powder coating off the front bumper of my other vehicle once, just used an angle grinder with a paint/rust removal disc with minimal to no impact to the metal. I did line-x them, so it might not be the best idea if you are painting to match.

 

Sand/bead blast is what we do at work, but your new fender's. Even burning them i'd be afraid of the warping.

 

Sand blasting/grinding and acetone is the only way

 

I really felt that there would be some kind of chemical alternative to remove this, kind of an equivalent to paint thinner to possibly get it off of there.

Doing research online, there does seem to be products out there that claim to strip the powder coat safely off of aluminum and other metals safely. What would really be the main conerns in terms of damaging the metal if I at least try a chamical solution before I go the way of sand blasting? I mean, how could you really damage steel if you're just going to prime and paint it after anyway?

How much do you think I'd be looking at to have these flares sand blasted or have the powder coat burnt off?

 

Try this Eastwood Gel Paint and Powder Stripper Gal.

I've had good luck with it on small items...never had it damage any metal so far.

Powdercoat is a b*&$% to remove without using a very aggressive sander.

Even sandblasting it is a pain...i would charge double to sandblast something that has been previously powder coated.

Your painter is probably just watching his butt telling you he cant paint it. I've painted over powder several times with good results...he's just worried he will be liable if it does come off.

I'd say prep it good n spray those babies.

 

i had some powder coated wheels that i needed to strip completely to refinish and was told to use Tal-Strip Aircraft Paint Stripper. It removed the clearcoat in virtually seconds after spraying but didn't even put a dent in the powder coat.....

 

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I guess I'll give some of the stripping chemicals a shot and see how they work. Again, I can't see how trying these would be able to damage steel, possibly aluminum, but I think the steel with be OK. I'll post some pics of how it turns out. Thanks again.