Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I don't think it's a good idea to leave old stuff--I stripped down to my
original silver metalflake roof, but then it was yellowed and I didn't like the
look. But the stripper, from boat stores, for fiberglass, called Pintoff, did
not attack the original roof. In other parts I would not want to leave old
primers for fear of incompatibility. On a 65 Mustang I did I left old filler and
it showed right back through the brand new primer and paint--although this I
painted before the two pack primers, using a lacquer based primer, which is
now mostly obsolete. Gordon Sauer

Having done my share of stripping with chemicals I prefer to have the
panels or bodyshell blasted with plastic media. A competent shop can
blast right to the gel coat or straight through to the 'glass depending
on how you wish to refinish. It also leaves a smooth finish on bare
'glass.

Walnut shells can leave an oily residue. Soda blasting can leave soda
lost in places you can't find, neither my favorite but better than
chemicals.

FWIW, I'd leave the gel coat in place unless you are doing a complete
color change. Stick with the same brand for the complete job. Don't use
the low end product line for a keeper. BTW the hues in the red range
are the most expensive

Cheers,
Scott
retired ASE double Master AutoTech/Paint&Body



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-----Original Message-----
From: KBS [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 9:02 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Gel coat


Scott
Is there a brand name or better description for "plastic media"?
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

Brand name? Not really, Ken. Sorta like sand...but plastic with sharp
edges. It is stocked in a variety of grits by most abrasives
warehouses. Dunno where you are but there's a big company out of
Houston I deal with. If you like I can pass you the contact info when I
wander out to the workshop. Not knowing where you are you could just
google "plastic media blasting"
Scott



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Scott
That will do. I've heard of walnuts and glass but never heard of plastic
media.
Ken

A local model airplane shop is likely to sell a small portion of it good for
more than a car worth of stress cracks for a few bucks or quid.
Ken

Who said "tissue paper"? I saw a lot of "tissue". it is fiberglass matt
with glass like angel hair. It comes both random and mesh but I have only
found mesh.