stripping paint?

[vecspeed12]

So I recently painted a lid and the paint is wrinkling on me. Instead of sanding the helmet. Is there any type of paint thinner or substance I can use to strip the paint off without damaging the HIPS plastic?

[Locitus[Admin]]

Here's a how-to

------

Edited December 5, 2020 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2020

[gazmosis[501st]]

Been there....done that. In order to guarantee that your next paint job won't wrinkle, you are going to need to sand it anyway. Give yourself some time and get some 600 grit, wet sandpaper. Don't really "get after it" if you know what I mean. Just sand it evenly and use a lot of water. Depending on how many coats you need to sand off will determine how long you will be sanding. But you will need to get down to the original surface in order to remove whatever messed up your paint job in the first place. Don't risk your lid to save a little time with paint removers. Nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing your lid SLOWLY melting. After you sand it down to the original surface, wipe it down with an alcohol pad to remove any oils or other foreign fluids. LIGHTLY hit the helmet with primer. Let this set up for about 15 min. Lightly sand the primer coat and wipe down again. Then go ahead with your top coat. Less is more. Take your time! Even, light coats are better than heavy. 10-15 min between coats. You shouldn't need more than 3 or 4. I don't know where you are in the world, but if you are in a warm area( over 70 degrees F in the day) set your lid in the sun and let cure. Do this for several days to assure that the paint has cured. Unless you are a professional painter, you probably will have some small overspray spots that will appear duller than the rest of the helmet. This will rub out. Start with your 600 grit and a butt ton of water. Lightly begin to sand down the helmet with light circular strokes. If you have one of these dull areas, do the same with a smaller piece of the 600. You will see the water you are sanding with turn white. That's ok just don't sand with pressure. Let the sand paper do the work...you are just holding it against the surface. After a bit of sanding, move to 800 grit. Do the same. Then move to a liquid or a rubbing compound for clear, auto finishes. The gloss on your lid should be rather mirror like at this point. Lastly, apply your favorite wax and marvel at your work. Using these steps will actually confuse people into thinking you armor is ABS. But you need to donate the time. I know how you feel wanting to complete the armor and troop around But, you get out of, what you put into it. Good Luck!!!

[vecspeed12]

Ahhh. Thanks for the tips. It helped a lot. I've been doing heavy coats to get that "wet" look. I was wrong the whole time.