sodbuster 1

need some experienced help here.
Need to strip the paint completely off a fabric covered Pitts or strip all the fabric.
Don't know what kind of paint it is, but it's cracked all over the thing. In some areas right down to the fabric but not thru the fabric. Some really weird crack patterns too some look like a spiraling circle

No fiberglass here, all stick built

LesUyeda

Sounds like a failure typical of a "dope" finish. You might examine some of the dope restoration stuff. Brodak comes to mind. I don't think you have a chance of removing it from the fabric without damage.

Les

sodbuster 1

any idea where I can find info on Brodak stuff?

LesUyeda

Try this.

http://www.brodak.com/shop_productde...ProductID=6799

Les

sodbuster 1

update .
It's not dope. It's paint of some kind.

Tried some clear dope with thinner. No reaction.
Tried straight dope thinner. No reaction.

Tried applying heat with a blower and managed to start to peel/melt the paint a little.
The paint job started with a grey primer. So I'm thinking it's either automotive paint or some other type of paint .

I think but am not sure the fabric covering might be silk. The heat didn't seem to hurt it. Although when I applied heat to a flat area with solid wood under it the fabric started to balloon up a little and had to press it back down.

Will aircraft type stripper harm the fabric or balsa? You have to wash off this type of stripper with lots of water

carrellh

I'd try the chemical stripper on a small area that's easily fixed if the chemicals mess it up. Any of the control surfaces would be good candidates for a test. Maybe the rudder. If it gets messed up, cut ity off and use as a template to make a new one.