I have an 87 RX7 that I am getting ready to paint. Does anyone know if the stone guard finish on the bottom of the car is a painted on finish or a plastic film. It sure doesn't sand very well. What is the best way to remove it ?

 

It's a special type of coating...
Use a chemical paint stripper to get it off.


-Ted

 

That's what I was afraid of. It really doesn't look bad but I had some rust in the lower quarter panels that I had to repair. The finish no longer matches and I don't know how I could possibly duplicate the factory rippled finish.

 

I think it involves polyurethane. Anybody?

 

We tried several auto body "experts", and bottom line was there is now way to replicated it to match the stock texture - you'd need to strip the whole thing off and reshoot with something else.&nbsp We just end up stripping the damn thing and painting it smooth on all the FC full paint jobs we do...



-Ted

 

what chemical will touch it? I ended up grinding that **** off, many many days with a DA sander and 80 grit...

PaulC

 

I dunno man, I wasn't in charge of finding all the chemicals.
It was some type of aircraft paint stripper - pretty nasty stuff!



-Ted

 

Well, never tried chemicals, hell, just regular paint stripper might have worked.. Anyway, if you DO decide to strip it by grinding, you're in for a work out, and a LOT of sanding discs. That stuff is tough!

PaulC

 

Yes tough is correct. It's like trying to sand a Rock. If I can't figure out a way to duplicate it in the repaired areas it looks like I have a lot of work ahead.
Thanks to all for your advice.

 

Yea, I'll give it a try. Hope I don't get too carried away and do the whole darn car !!