paint removal

[Hugz]

Hi, What is the best way of stripping the paint of a brass tank? I'm leaning towards sandblasting but have concerns it might pitt the final finish... any ideas?

Cheers Hugo.

[charlesp]

I always use paint stripper. I'm fairly confident that blasting would do the trick - as well as provide a good key for the primer - but paint stripper is gentler on the brass.

Even if it does no good at all to the environment..

[Hugz]

Hi, I do have some concerns that the acid might affect the finish of the brass, ie discolouring, as I prefer to have a polished brass look. Might do a bit on the underside first.

Thanks.

[twostrokenut]

Hi , Bead blasting would leave you a smoother type of finish compared to grit , grit does tend to leave a good key for paint adhesion , but if a polished finish is what you require , then bead is that much kinder.

Andy.

[Hugz]

Yep, beadblasting sounds the go. Now to find someone that does it.

Thanks

[CatiGull]

You could use a methylene chloride based stripper which is not acidic and should be brass-safe.

[Vic]

You could use a methylene chloride based stripper which is not acidic

Methylene dichloride AKA dichloromethane. I'm not a aware that paint strippers are ever acidic. Caustic soda will attack most paints and varnish.