Modern Vespa

Hi All
I've got a white px125 who's original paint seems to be black(chips in the white lead me to that conclusion)
I can remove the white paint with thinners and fine wire wool without damaging/removing the paint underneath but is the an easier way to achieve the same result, as breathing in the thinners (outdoors) is not condusive to good health, and means I can only work in short bursts

Buy a respirator. Get busy

Fan works wonders, I like a box fan to blow some cool air and the smell away.

Lol Sorry probably didnt make myself clear, I was just wondering if i could use a paint remover that will lift the cellulose but not damage the original paint

Is the white paint from a spray can? If so, Gumout carb cleaner and 0000 steel wool. Not sure if that's really better than paint thinner fumes-wise, but that's what I used on my GS.

[quote="SEA"]
Is the white paint from a spray can? If so, Gumout carb cleaner and 0000 steel wool. Not sure if that's really better than paint thinner fumes-wise, but that's what I used on my GS.




Its cellulose alright, You maybe right about the fumes from the gumout, Ive got some carb cleaner in the shed, I'll give it a go later.
Obviously will have to experiment this end, just want to narrow down the choice of paint removers as much as I can with help from the forum.
Will post up results for the benefit of all.

Acetone, a 2 gallon bucket, long chemical-resistant gloves, #0000 steel wool and a dozen microfiber towels, patience and time.

Carb cleaner is mainly acetone and toluene(a degreaser). You only need a gallon of acetone -- avoids aerosolizing those two nasties.

Outdoors, place a fan so that you have a breathing zone. With a little breath control you can avoid hours wearing a respirator.

Most of the rattle-can will come off with the towel and patience.
If you pour acetone on steel wool it'll just run right through it onto the ground.

BTW I uze acetone oftan at wurk an Ime fine!

Thanks for that Ray, and Ill take your word that you havent been affected Although it does say 'addicted ' under you nom de plume.

I used paint stripper and oven cleaner on my vbb. It doesn't touch the factory paint. I start with acetone though.

Thanks for that info, never considered oven cleaner, can you rememember which paint stripper?

Use acetone with a fan or you will be even more frustrated than you will end up being regardless.
Acetone has the specific characteristics needed to remove rattle-can from original paint. Lacquer thinner *maybe* a next option. It doesn't evaporate as fast, and can etch the original paint.

Tried EVERYTHING else, including citrus graffiti remover

Oven cleaner is great for removing grease and dirt. Does nothing in regards to removing paint, though.

Have fun!

Lol Thanks for that,I take it the 'have fun' comment is ironic, paint stripping is akin to watching paint dry, Gonna do a little at a time to stop me going mad!!!

Between stripping paint and watching it dry, I'll take watching it dry every time!

Try some of the cheap auto parts store degreaser, too. That cut into the hi-temp paint I put on my cylinder pretty good over the weekend, and I didn't even want it to. Supposedly safe for painted surfaces, by which I now assume they meant two-part paints, so might be just the thing.

And don't underestimate how TOUGH that OG paint is. Having now stripped two scooters to bare metal, I can tell you it doesn't come off without a fight, so you're probably good.

Thanks for that CM, I've got some of that hanging around in the shed so I'll give it a go.

Were they p series? I'd assume after 1977 paints aren't quite as tough as the lead paint of the 40's-70's.

No, both 1962. VBB and GL.