- Do not bother with earth friendly paint stripper. I purchased some biodegradable, low odor, comes in a green bottle, non toxic paint stripper. After many applications it didn't even make a dent. I caved and bought a small can of ace hardware brand methylene chloride based stripper. I couldn't find the recommended low odor aircraft Kleen-Strip (also methylene chloride stuff)
- Thicker is better. The viscus type gel strippers stay on more easily.
- Thicker is better. Laying on a very thick layer of paint stripper seems to be more effective. Having clean fresh goop from the can that hasn't touched paint also helps.
- Don't use a foam brush. That's what I had laying around. I thought I could get a couple coats out of it before it melted away. I went out (again) and purchased a cheap wooden chip brush.
- Be patient and wait for blistering. The can told me to wait 15 minutes and scrape blistered paint. I waited 15 minutes but not all areas were blistered. If I had waited longer I would have had an easier time.
- Horizontal surfaces are more betterer. I started applying the goop to the tank standing up. Laying it down and reapplying seemed to foster better blistering.
- Buy a plastic putty knife. Using a metal putty or spackle knife will cause you to try and take stubborn paint off. The plastic one only takes paint that is ready to come away from the aluminium.
- Don't remove your gloves until you're done. That stuff is caustic! Deal with the sweaty pruned hands for the duration of the stripping and throw away your chemical resistant gloves when you're done.
- Buy a few wire brushes. A small toothbrush sized one works for the tank marking stamps. A more course stainless brush helps with the rest of the tank that won't scrape up.
- Go slowly with the wire brush. Make small slow circles with either wire brush as not to spatter painty scary skin burning goop everywhere.
- The sun helps. The side of the tank facing the sun seemed to blister faster.
- Don't forget the paint thinner. Turps will help with the cleanup.
- Wear a fume mask. An easy high otherwise.
- Make provisions for a new VIP sticker. Know anyone who is a certified tech? I do. But I also managed to peel the old sticker off the yellow paint and re-applied it. Yay now I have an extra sticker just in case.
- Budget 2X more time than you think it'll take. I thought I'd be at it for an hour. It took me two once I got the right paint stripper.
Thanks,
-Eric