Hood Help

[lts70]

My hood has a bad heat warp so I found another hood in better shape. My question for you guys is, What grit of sand paper is best to use to take it down to bare metal? Also, I want to take the bottom of the hood down to metal but it has the factory undercoating still on it, is there a method or product that helps cut through this stuff? Thanks for the help.

[68_chop_top]

Use an aggressive sand paper to take the paint off then switch to about a 400 grit to smooth the metal prior to primer. The best way I found to remove the undercoating is with a putty knive and a small propane torch.

[lts70]

Is 80 grit too aggressive? I just don’t want to go too low, at the same time I don’t want to waste time with too high of a sand paper grit.

[68_chop_top]

Just be careful and go slow. I have used 32 grit with an air DA sander. Get the paint off without scratching the metal. That's why you switch to 400 grit to smooth the metal. Metal scratches will show through the paint.

[lowriden58]

80grit should be fine. but as stated switch to a finer grit to smoot it out. for removing the undercoating your best bet would be a small propane torch and a scraper

[lts70]

Thanks Guys. I have always wanted a small propane torch just never had a need. I guess my ditch burning unit might be a little too much for this project. I have a 5" dewalt orbital sander that I bought when I built the furniture for my house, that should work right?

[lowriden58]

yeah that should work fine for the flat surfaces, but for the corners i would use a block

[lts70]

Do I need to buy a block or can I make one out of a 2X4? If I can make one what dimensions should I cut the wood to? Thanks again guys.

[stllookn]

I have found that a heat gun and putty knife works much better than the torch for the undercoat...fewer fires and burns...LOL!

[Fastfun]

If your previous hood had heat warp the last thing I would want to do is use a propane torch to remove the undercoating. I would use chemical stripper and a putty knive or the heat gun.

[caminokid]

I have been using 80 grit flapper disc to remove paint and rust. Been working really good.

[Sinisterspeed]

Paint thinner will take off the undercoating. Its not as fast but it wont damage anything either. Undercoat is petroleum based so any chemical thinner or stripper will take it off just makes a mess while your doing it. Myself I wouldn't but heat anywhere near a hood. As far as making a block harbor freight sells an air powered long board for under 30 bucks. (I hate harbor freight tools but for this tool I would use one) If your not a body man you wont use it much so I wouldn't spend the money on a better one. The one from harbor freight would work fine for a few uses at least. (might work forever)

[Green Machine]

Kerosene or diesel fuel works great to remove undercoat (if you can afford it !!!)