Getting paint off of aluminum grill shell?

[saxart]

I picked up a decent grill for my '70 today, but it has some thick overspray on the lower edge (multiple coats/colors) from a previous owners. Does anyone have any tips on how to get it off? I'm guessing paint stripper will mess with the anodizing and this grill is decent, so I don't want to screw that up.



I was able to polish up the rest of the grill with 0000 steel wool, but this paint is too thick for that method.





Also, what is the best way to replicate the black accents? (They're faded and need to be repainted) Can I just mask off those sections and spray them? Do I need primer on anodized aluminum?

[Steeveedee]

Paint stripper will not touch the metal's finish if it is petroleum based and not acidic or caustic. Try MEK if you can still get it.

[FirstOwner69]

You could also try a rag wetted with lacquer thinner. Would probably take more time/work than stripper though. I wouldn't use abrasives,

[special-K]

I have a grille surround with some paint on it at the top where the hood covers that I was wondering the same thing on. Both areas aren't what you see much at all. I think I'll see if soaking with lacquer thinner will work and then go to using paint stripper carefully

[Redneck Rydes]

When I painted my black trim on My 70,I cleaned it really good with brake clean and masked it all off and shot it with Plastikote Hot Rod Black, semi gloss,turned out really good.

[davepl]

If there's any chance it's Latex, there are a number of simpler chemicals that will remove it. But presuming it's not water based, then the above posts apply!