Removal of black spray bomb paint from engine bay

[66FBCharger]

Does anyone have any tricks to remove black paint that was sprayed bombed over my original paint in my engine bay? The paint is flaking in a lot of spots, so I am guessing it might come off easily with the right technique. The original paint looks good under the black paint. It does not look like anyone scuffed the original paint or even used any primer. I thought this could be a good winter project.

[66FBCharger]

Here is a shot of what I am up against. I would like to clean and detail all the components as time permits. (I have a new engine harness to replace the ratty original).

[73rallye440magnum]

Compressed air may take off some of what remains. As for the rest... 

[66FBCharger]

Hmm. Maybe a pressure washer?

[moparnation74]

Hmm. Maybe a pressure washer?

I would not pressure wash anything in the engine bay.

[66FBCharger]

Hmm. Maybe a pressure washer?

I would not pressure wash anything in the engine bay.

Why not? I would be focusing on the paint, not any components or wiring.

[green69rt]

Find a out-of-the-way spot and use lacquer thinner on a rag and see if there is any effect.  Be careful cause you may end up removing some of the color under the black.  I've found that Lacquer thinner on well cured paint does not do much but on primer and some rattle can paints it is a remover.

[66FBCharger]

Find a out-of-the-way spot and use lacquer thinner on a rag and see if there is any effect.  Be careful cause you may end up removing some of the color under the black.  I've found that Lacquer thinner on well cured paint does not do much but on primer and some rattle can paints it is a remover.

Great! I'll try the lacquer thinner.

[Dino]

If you have a strong compressor, use that first.  It may just come flying off.  use the thinner for everything that gets left behind.  Don't use cellulose as it'll atack the stock paint.  Water pressure works great but I wouldn't do the firewall unless you want a wet cab floor.  Should work fine on rails and inner fenders though.  Oh and wear goggles.   

[66FBCharger]

If you have a strong compressor, use that first.  It may just come flying off.  use the thinner for everything that gets left behind.  Don't use cellulose as it'll atack the stock paint.  Water pressure works great but I wouldn't do the firewall unless you want a wet cab floor.  Should work fine on rails and inner fenders though.  Oh and wear goggles.   

Dino,
What do you mean by cellulose?

[Dino]

Cellulose and lacquer thinner are pretty much the same, but cellulose is the term used for the real aggressive stuff.  It's the stuff that makes you go wow when you open the bottle.   

There are paint thinners that are not as nasty that will do the job of removing spray bomb paint.  Heck I'd start wtih plain acetone, that may just do it.

[Monziac]

I have used easy off oven cleaner on rattle can paint. I used to restore plastic grills and since you cant sand, scuff or chemical treat the with solvent there was no easy way to remove it. I was told to heavily treat it with easy off oven cleaner and cover in plastic over night and the next day just hose the paint off. Worked like a charm!  Try it on a small spot first. - Jon

[twodko]

Pressure wash is a good start but don't get the nozzle too close
or it might just start taking off the original paint as well.
Lacquer thinner used as Dino and Green69RT suggest is the
way to begin IMO.

No offense intended, but do not use EasyOff!

[Monziac]

No offense, this is all trial and error stuff, but I wouldn't use laquer thinner. After many years of painting cars you are asking for it. It could reactivate the paint and cause it to lift.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Trim adhesive/ label remover. Comes in rattle cans at walmart. Light duty and designed for use on paint. IF the origonal paint was not scuffed, it will remove the spraybomb paint. It will wrinkle lightly and become spongey. You will have to use a little elbow grease but it wont damage the origonal paint.

[hemi-hampton]

Best to pull motor & power wash in my opinion. LEON.

[moparnation74]

Hmm. Maybe a pressure washer?

I would not pressure wash anything in the engine bay.

Why not? I would be focusing on the paint, not any components or wiring.

Based on the age of your components/gaskets, I would be afraid of getting water inside the cab.  I would try air and chemical products as others stated.

[Charger RT]

I used goof off graffiti remover. it took the spray paint off without damaging the original paint under it. I don't know if the product has been reformulated since I used it 14 years ago.
Tim

[green69rt]

Whatever you try do a small patch first.  Don't assume that what works for others (including me) works for you!!!!

[73rallye440magnum]

I wasn't going to be the one to recommend lacquer thinner (or any paint solvent). When it attacks your original paint you'll be left with dull original color, which looks poor.

[don duick]

I had same situation I brushed a light coat of brake fluid. It soaked into the light coat of black paint only, and no damage to the paint underneath.

[Silver R/T]

The correct way to do it is to pull everything out and strip and repaint engine bay.

[66FBCharger]

The correct way to do it is to pull everything out and strip and repaint engine bay.

I know that is the correct way to do it.
I know that if I pull the engine, it will snowball and I will have another unuseable vehicle. I would love to pull the engine and trans to detail the engine compartment, engine, trans and all the components but I want to keep the car driveable.
I have very limited time since I have 3 kids aged 18 to 6 who are involved in a lot of activities.
Thanks to all for the ideas.

[1965gp]

Maybe try wax and grease remover before lacquer thinner? I used it two weeks ago to get black spray paint off of some interior pieces and it worked great on the cheap paint someone put on there about 10 years ago. It shouldn't damage the finish of the original paint. Will take longer than lacquer thinner because it's not as strong.

[500Jon]

Spray Bombed, I like that expression!


Its what Ford guys did when they bought Mopars!!!
Modern paint strippers are so weak now, that's what I used, it hardly touches the original paint.
Taking the original paint off is not necessary for a 'tart-up' so I'm with you on this one.

Mostly the 'rattle-can' black, never sticks to the oil covered paint and will have protected the underlying colour very nicely than you!!!

Good luck with your mini resto, I just hate BLACK BOMBED engine bays too!!!

ps its a 69 fastback LOL!!!

[1970Moparmann]

Best to pull motor & power wash in my opinion. LEON.

By doing this, it will be done right.  If your going to this much trouble / detail what you need / replace what you need, and even paint the compartment.  You'll be happy in the long run. 

[hemi-hampton]

Best to pull motor & power wash in my opinion. LEON.

By doing this, it will be done right.  If your going to this much trouble / detail what you need / replace what you need, and even paint the compartment.  You'll be happy in the long run.  

I've done it & it worked for me. Main reason it works is most likely when spraybombed black in the 70's it was not scuffed before painting. As a result the power washer will blow the paint right off due to poor adhesion & not damage original paint. Give it a try. LEON.