[Mark 149 J.]

I've been looking for ways to remove the top layer of paint on my son's cub 123. The paint color is wrong and it looks to be a simple rattle can job. I've removed some of the paint and you can see that it still has the original IH yellow underneath.

When I searched the web I found all kinds of suggestion including acetone, reducer, lacquer thinner, sanding, oven cleaner, goof off, razor blades, and rubbing compound.

I tried rubbing compound by hand. That didn't do anything. I tried lacquer thinner and it removed the top layer of paint but it also made the IH yellow paint "gummy". I hate the way the top layer of paint looks and I don't want to repaint this tractor for now because I would like to keep it mostly original.

My question is "What works for removing paint without damaging the bottom layer of original paint?"

 

[LilysDad]

I dunno, heat gun?

 

[637Yeoman]

I just take a rag damp with lacquer and lightly run until it comes off.

 

[olds45512]

Do not use acetone or thinner, if you do you will most likely damage the paint underneath. If I were going to do it I would sand the paint with 1,500 or 2,000 grit wetsand paper and then buff it once I got all the ugly paint off but I'm a professional bodyman so that might not be something you can do. You can also try a clay bar which can be bought at most part stores but I will tell you up front that it will take some serious elbow grease.

 

[Bill 76]

What Olds455 said wet sanding and stay away from solvents

 

[Gtractor]

Anything you try is risky - but - oven cleaner will remover rattlecan pretty quick without harming the factory paint in many cases.

 

[olds45512]

Anything you try is risky - but - oven cleaner will remover rattlecan pretty quick without harming the factory paint in many cases.

I've heard some people say that oven cleaner took the paint off to the bare steel so I'm not sure I would risk it. Fume free oven cleaner is less powerful than the regular stuff so it might work without harming the original paint but I would try it in a small spot to make sure.

 

[Gtractor]

Fume Free is the equivalent of running the garden hose over it.

This old Scout had a rattle-can cammo paintjob when I bought it back in '96. I gave it a bath in oven cleaner and it took off all the cammo without harming the factory stuff.

Not that the factory paint is that good but its better than cammo.

Here it is the day I drove-er home.

Here it is after some Easy-Off [harsh kind/yellow can] oven cleaner

 

[Jazz]

If lacquer thinner is too slow I would go with oven cleaner. Its a slippery slope getting a layer off but on big trucks we always used oven cleaner to remove lettering as most lettering is enamel, similar to rattle can paint

 

[olds45512]

The easiest thing might be to give it a quick scuff and hit it with a couple cans of Rust-Oleum school bus yellow. Give your boy a scuff pad and a newspaper and roll of tape and tell him to have at it.

 

[MiCarl]

You might try a little dot3 or dot4 brake fluid, it will chew up rattle can paint pretty quickly. Depending on what paint technology IH used it might also strip the original though.

 

[Tecumseh power]

Wet sand it

 

[JBRamsey]

Soda blasting will take the paint off layer by layer. I would be hesitant to use chemicals of any type.

 

[Sawdust]

I agree wet sand it. You can actually knock it down to the original. Using this method you still can take a small amount of the original off as well but it will buff out nicely.

 

[Mark 149 J.]

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestion!

I think I will try sanding it down using very fine grit paper. I think the top paint is only two coats thick and I think sanding will help smooth out the original paint.

 

[johndeereelfman]

Sounds like you already have your method of removal picked, but if you are still open to suggestions, here is mine. I use 1500 wet/dry sandpaper like suggested above, however I use WD-40 instead of water. I've used this method numerous times with great results in removing paint from original decals. The WD-40 will act like a lubricant and won't allow the sandpaper to cut too fast. The WD-40 will also aid in softening the rattle can paint but won't destroy your original paint underneath. Good Luck to you and don't forget to keep us updated on your results.

 

[Mark 149 J.]

Sounds like you already have your method of removal picked, but if you are still open to suggestions, here is mine. I use 1500 wet/dry sandpaper like suggested above, however I use WD-40 instead of water. I've used this method numerous times with great results in removing paint from original decals. The WD-40 will act like a lubricant and won't allow the sandpaper to cut too fast. The WD-40 will also aid in softening the rattle can paint but won't destroy your original paint underneath. Good Luck to you and don't forget to keep us updated on your results.

I'll give that a try as well. It can't hurt!

 

[jabelman]

I'll give that a try as well. It can't hurt!

I would not recommend this if you plan to repaint it someday, you will have more fish eyes than you can imagine

 

[Mark 149 J.]

I would not recommend this if you plan to repaint it someday, you will have more fish eyes than you can imagine

Wow! Thanks for the warning!

I take it you found this out the hard way?

 

[jabelman]

Wow! Thanks for the warning!
I take it you found this out the hard way?

no, i worked, summers at body shop years ago, was drilled in our heads how much oil/silicon sprays would ruin your day