Sandpaper problems

[53 stickfigure]

I have no idea why i can't sand the paint off the 53. 40, 60, 80, and 120 grit all gums up instantly on the hood and 1 front fender. I've used flapper wheels in 40 and 60 grit and they've only lasted a few minutes. It's like the paint melts and smears when you try to sand it. Its apparently a repaint but is every bit of 20 years old. There's too many niks and deep scratches to just scuff it up to primer, and it wont just scuff up, it balls up. Any suggestions other than a stripper? 60 grit discs on the grinder last about 3 minutes. Im about ready to burn it off with a propane torch, in small sections of course. I've never had really old paint do this before.

[bob w]

I remember zzrodder saying he scrapes paint off. I for one would like more information about that. It might be an answer for you too.

[Bamamav]

I've seen old enamel paint do that. Unless a hardener is added, enamel never gets fully dry, it's always a bit soft. You may have to use a chemical stripper and a razor blade to get the old enamel off. If you get one that is water soluble, you can neutralize it with soap and water after you are through. I stripped a hood that had about six layers of unknown paint on it in about an hour. Got it down to metal and the original primer, washed it, let it dry then sprayed a primer sealer over it. Three years after I painted it, it still looked good.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Dry strip it with a razor blade. Effective, won't harm the surface and no residue to come back and bite you in the ass later...

[53 stickfigure]

I cleaned the hood really good last night, hoping it was a tree sap clear coat but turns out it is brush paint, probably an oil base enamel. Its not gonna scrape off without a stripper. I've never seen paint this hard.

[Old Iron]

Blue Eyed Devil gave you the correct answer.

[sneakysnake]

I use a flat wire wheel, works well to get down to base primer or sometimes all the way to metal.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Originally Posted by 53 stickfigure

I've never seen paint this hard.

If it's gumming up the paper, it's not hard. That's the issue.

[Bamamav]

Originally Posted by 53 stickfigure

I've never seen paint this hard.

Originally Posted by Blue Eyed Devil

If it's gumming up the paper, it's not hard. That's the issue.

Re read my post above /\/\/\

[53 stickfigure]

Your right, its not hard. I tried the scraping, its worked for me before on a few cars, but not this one. Its just the hood and fender so i guess I'll go ahead and make a mess with some stripper.