Can vinyl paint be removed non-destructively?

[mrfolkblues]

I have a Del Sol that somebody repainted blue and then (unfortunately for me) decided to paint the accent panels in the interior a bright blue also. Except they either didn't paint the driver's door card or that was replaced with an original gray one. The material on most of the pieces is a soft vinyl but the center section in the rear is a hard plastic. None of the panels are in excellent condition and all show signs of wear, so I'm not looking for a pristine restoration, but I would prefer to remove the blue paint and have them gray again. Finding original interior trim seems difficult as these cars do not show up in salvage yards often and are quickly stripped when they do. Also I'm not interested in spending the time and money tracking these parts down and would rather work with what I already have.

Is there a product than can remove the blue paint without removing the factory gray underneath? Otherwise, what should my strategy be?

Here's some pictures for reference: Del Sol Painted Rear Trim - Album on Imgur. In the first two pictures you can see the original gray where the vinyl wraps around the backside of the panel. The 3rd and 4th picture show the front and back of the center plastic section.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

First - becauset this is your first post to this forum,

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:

I have a Del Sol

Cool car. Rare by today's standards. For those that don't know, here's a Honda Del Sol and here's a good article about them.

that somebody repainted blue and then (unfortunately for me) decided to paint the accent panels in the interior a bright blue

I would prefer to remove the blue paint and have them gray again.

I feel your paint...

Here's the component you're talking about, I downloaded it, resized it and uploaded it to your free gallery here.

Finding original interior trim seems difficult as these cars do not show up in salvage yards often and are quickly stripped when they do. Also I'm not interested in spending the time and money tracking these parts down and would rather work with what I already have.

Completely understand the situation.

Is there a product than can remove the blue paint without removing the factory gray underneath?

I'm sorry. But I do not know of a chemical/solvent that will dissolve the vinyl paint while at the same time not adversely affecting the plastic/vinyl underneath.

For example, a product like Aircraft Paint Stripper will dissolve the paint but it will also dissolve the plastic or at least alter it in a negative manner.

The most popular vinyl paint I know of is the SEM brand. Chances are good this is the brand of paint used on your car. I just checked their website to see if besides making paint - maybe they make a product to remove their paint?

Check out these

Urethane Bumper Stripper | SEM Products

XXX Bumper Stripper | SEM Products

From the company,

Bumper Stripper is an aerosol material designed to safely remove refinish materials from flexible parts.


Wouldn't hurt to contact SEM talk to a tech person, describe what you want to do and see what they suggest. Then IF you get a product from them - TEST in an inconspicuous area first before going nuts on the car.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

SEM Products Homepage
Innovative Repair And Refinishing Products | SEM Products



Tech Support
https://www.semproducts.com/contact-us

800-831-1122
[email protected]


If things work out, please update us and please do share a picture of your car.


:cheers:

 

[mrfolkblues]

Mike,

Thanks for the thorough response and information. I contacted SEM and they suggested using denatured alcohol, especially if the coloring was from one of their products. I happen to have some denatured alcohol already so I gave it a try on a small spot that would normally be covered. It took some time and effort because I didn't want to go too harsh with it, but the blue paint did come off successfully without any obvious damage to the vinyl itself. When I compared the small patch of exposed gray with the original gray driver's side door card they seem to be the same shade. There is a slight difference in gray on the center plastic piece, but without an original to compare against I'm not sure if that is expected. I think I will continue with this method and try to remove all the blue. I expect it will work but will take a lot of time and effort.

Thanks again for your help pointing me in the right direction.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Mike,

Thanks for the thorough response and information. I contacted SEM and they suggested using denatured alcohol, especially if the coloring was from one of their products. I happen to have some denatured alcohol already so I gave it a try on a small spot that would normally be covered. It took some time and effort because I didn't want to go too harsh with it, but the blue paint did come off successfully without any obvious damage to the vinyl itself. When I compared the small patch of exposed gray with the original gray driver's side door card they seem to be the same shade. There is a slight difference in gray on the center plastic piece, but without an original to compare against I'm not sure if that is expected. I think I will continue with this method and try to remove all the blue. I expect it will work but will take a lot of time and effort.

Thanks again for your help pointing me in the right direction.

Worse case if it discolors you can re-sim it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dgage]

In car audio, Sem is often utilized to paint fiberglass and plastic parts to make modified parts match the interior. So you could definitely repaint the plastic parts to get them to match and look like new. From the car audio forums, I haven’t heard any issues with durability.

 

[DUBL0WS6]

I think I'd paint over the blue paint vs risking ruing the panels.