Wire Wheels??? KEITH!

[layedout72]

where are you getting your wire wheels keith? ive searched home depot and lowes tool departments endlessly. Only bench top grinders! I need them to do my tailgate as a little project for something to do.

[mrsnicks]

I picked up the wire wheels for my grinder in Lowes... Just ask one of the tool department guys.. I've gotten wheels.. cups... braided cups, etc....

If you don't see it just ask.

Patrick

[FORDification]

Heck, I think just about any hardware store or farm supply store should have those. Look in the welding supply section.

[Fordfool]

I got mine at ACE Hardware...

[layedout72]

i will go to ACE and carquest tomorrow


keith, was this what u used to strip off your paint? Or did you hit it up with some 80 first or something?

[FORDification]

The knotted-wire wheel is what you'd need, and it will do a decent job of stripping paint, but it's not so good on rust. However, the 3M composite stripping wheels do a much better and faster job at stripping sheetmetal, IMO...with less likelihood of damaging the sheetmetal. However, you'll still need the wire wheels for the nooks and crannies that the 3M wheel won't fit into. Here's a shot of the full arsenal of my paint-stripping tools:



The 3M stripping wheel is the blue one on the right side, worn down about half way. The wire cups might come in handy from time to time, but I use them very little, they don't do as good a job.

[mrsnicks]

You didn't show a picture of your sand blaster.. I'm sure that's a nice addition to your aresnal. I need to get a sand blaster, but have to get a bigger/better air compressor to push it first.

Patrick

[67RED]

got mine a lowes

[cooltoolguy]

you can also try the liquid paint remover they use on airplanes. cant remember the name but supposedly it works well. Hardtailjohn may know what it is and where it could be bought.

[layedout72]

yah, the airplane paint stripper works, but u still have to sand after that. I guess I will have to wait til after the car show to see how much money i really have, never have enough, thats for sure.

[FORDification]

Chemical paint stripping works OK, but man is it messy! Then you have to worry about residue being left behind in nooks and crannies and having adverse effects on your fresh paint.

If you have the resources to media-blast, that's definitely the way to do it. However, since most of us don't, and would prefer something we can do ourselves in the driveway, I'd definitely suggest using a 4-1/2" angle grinder and a bunch of those 3M stripper wheels, and keeping a knotted-wire wheel attachment for it handy, for those hard-to-reach places.

The main thing you have to watch out for when using these is heat buildup. It's not so much a concern on curved areas, but any large flat section (like the roof panel, door skins, middle of the hood, etc.) can warp if you don't keep the equipment moving. Don't let it set there and heat up the metal while you're working out a stubborn chunk of paint. It's better to come back to finish up a spot that won't come up within a second or two than to just let it set there heating up and warping the panel.

[layedout72]

i have a 4 inch angle grinder, I will keep an eye out for those 3M discs, but noone has them around here at all, not even the sherwin williams store.

[FORDification]

You can get them through Harbor Freight too, for $5/ea.:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=94017