To try and save a few bucks on the notch resto, i'm intending to strip down the replacement panels I've got hold of to bare metal.. what's the best way to do this? Is there a place I can go and get them to dip it in a big vat of something and pull it out stripped for a hundred bucks? Or is it a matter of getting some paint stripper and a roll of sandpaper and setting aside a weekend?

Clean & strip wheels are a fantastic way to strip panels to bare metal. You can get them on a spindle to go in the drill, or on a fibreglass depressed centre backing to go on an angle grinder. SIA brand ones are pretty good. $20 odd for a 5" one or down to $14 for a 4". You could do two guards with one approx. The finish is good as they don't grind any metal off, and they are coarse enought to linish surface rust off.

Acid dipping is quick & easy, but maybe $80 a panel. You definitley want to get them home straight away and hose them down for a couple of hours to positivley remove all acid as any residue will create rust.

Finally there is bead blasting. You must ring around and find a place that is experienced in vehicle panels and wont turn your panels into junk.

Hi Helbus,
Do you know a retail outlet for the SIA clean & strip wheels?

tia

We sell them at my work. Contact me there if I can help.

go to http://www.rotools.com.au