The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Best methods for removing paint

for what it is worth, here is my recent (today, in fact) experience.

1955 with multiple coats of paint (in a bad way...)

used a dewalt sander with 80 grit on the 'decent' paint areas.

used this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_117946-70-D26453K___?productId=1005793&pl=1&Ntt=dewalt+sander

(similar to that)

with this

http://www.lowes.com/pd_361311-1069-12051___?productId=3456212&pl=1&Ntt=sanding+discs


had some spots so bad that I went with a dewalt grinder and the harbor freight 4.5 inch poly grinding pad (buy several) previously mentioned. I had to go buy more today. they do wear out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-polycarbide-abrasive-wheel-60571.html

used this (but take off the guard):

http://www.lowes.com/pd_674788-70-DWE402W5_1z0wcir__?productId=50373864&pl=1

I agree with other posters that you do not have to go to the metal 'all around' if the paint already there is solid and can be sanded to make a uniform base for paint or primer.

in my case most of the body panels were ok. but, the hood is so bad that I have gone through 2 poly grinding pads and am only through 1/3 of the hood. it was so bad that the paint had split and cracked in a way that I have never seen before.

lastly, take your time - it is not a race. go over everything and then make a second pass, and then a third pass if necessary.

have fun!